Level 3, Lesson 24

A Friend Comes Back

Originally published by Ernest Manning's Radio Sunday School Mission

This lesson is based on the Scripture found in

John 21:1-13

An angel in the Garden where Jesus’ body had been laid had said to Mary Magdalene: “Go, tell His disciples that Jesus goes before them into Galilee. There shall they see Him.”

So Peter and John and the others went back to the Sea of Galilee, to the fisherman’s cottage by the sea. Peter's wife was there and his wife's mother whom Jesus had healed of fever. On the seashore their boats stood idle and their nets were dry.

Peter could not bear to be doing nothing, so one evening he said to the others, “I’m going fishing.” They said, “We’ll come with you.” So seven of them climbed into a boat, pushed out into deep water, and let down their nets. But though they worked hard all through the night, they did not catch a single fish.

When the morning light began to show they turned their boat towards land. They were tired and disappointed, and though they saw a man standing on the shore, they did not look closely at Jesus. Then they heard the Man say something, “Have you caught any fish?” “No!” they called back. Then he said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the ship and you will find them.”

They let down the net as they were told. Then they tried to pull it up, but it was so heavy they could not lift it.

John said to Peter, “It is the Lord Jesus!” As soon as Peter heard this he jumped into the sea and waded to land. The others came in the boat, dragging the net full of fishes.

When they were come to land, they saw a fire burning, with fish cooking on it, and bread ready. Jesus said, “Bring the fishes you have caught.” Peter then went and pulled the net up on the land, and there were a hundred and fifty-three fishes, and yet the net did not break.

Then Jesus said, “Come and have breakfast.” And He waited on them Himself, giving them bread and fish.

It was just like old times to be having breakfast with Jesus. They were almost too happy to speak. They just looked and looked at Jesus, their Friend who had come back to them.

QUESTIONS