From Doubt to Breakfast: Jesus Meets Us Where We Are (John 20:24–21:14)
Sometimes we feel like we need to see something with our own eyes to believe it. That’s exactly how one of Jesus’ disciples felt after the resurrection. But in John 20:24–21:14, we see how Jesus meets His followers with patience, peace, and even breakfast.
Let’s walk through these powerful moments.
Doubting Thomas
One of Jesus’ disciples, Thomas, wasn’t there the first time Jesus appeared to the others after rising from the dead. When they told him, “We’ve seen the Lord!” he didn’t believe them.
Thomas said,
“Unless I see the nail marks in His hands and put my finger where the nails were… I will not believe.”
A week later, the disciples were together again—and this time, Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus suddenly appeared among them and said,
“Peace be with you.”
Then He turned to Thomas and gently said,
“Put your finger here; see my hands. Stop doubting and believe.”
Overwhelmed, Thomas responded,
“My Lord and my God!”
Jesus said,
“Because you have seen Me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Jesus didn’t scold Thomas—He met him where he was. That same kindness and patience is available to us today when we struggle with questions or doubts.
Back to the Boat
Later, some of the disciples went fishing on the Sea of Galilee, but they caught nothing all night. At daybreak, a man stood on the shore and called out,
“Friends, haven’t you any fish?”
They said no, and He told them to throw their net on the right side of the boat. When they did, the net filled with so many fish they could barely haul it in!
That’s when John realized—“It is the Lord!”
Peter didn’t wait. He jumped into the water and swam to shore, eager to be near Jesus.
Breakfast with Jesus
When they got to land, they found a fire with fish and bread cooking. Jesus invited them to eat and said,
“Come and have breakfast.”
This simple moment—sharing a meal by the water—shows us how personal and loving Jesus is. He didn’t just rise from the dead to show His power. He rose to be with His people, to care for them, and to remind them that their relationship with Him is real and ongoing.
This was the third time Jesus appeared to His disciples after rising from the dead.
What This Means for Us
This passage shows us two important truths:
- Jesus meets us in our doubts – like He did with Thomas.
- Jesus meets us in our daily lives – like He did with the fishermen, offering guidance and even cooking breakfast.
Whether we are questioning, working, or simply feeling lost, Jesus is never far away. He doesn’t wait for us to figure everything out—He comes to us, patiently, lovingly, and personally.
Final Thought
John 20:24–21:14 reminds us that Jesus isn’t just a figure in history. He’s a living Savior who knows our hearts, meets us where we are, and invites us into a relationship with Him—sometimes through miracles, and sometimes over a quiet breakfast by the sea.
Wherever you are today—in doubt, in routine, or in need—Jesus is near. Will you recognize Him?
John 20:24-21:14 (WEB)
20:24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, wasn’t with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord!”But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”26 After eight days, again his disciples were inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, the doors being locked, and stood in the middle, and said, “Peace be to you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Reach here your finger, and see my hands. Reach here your hand, and put it into my side. Don’t be unbelieving, but believing.”28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”29 Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”30 Therefore Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.21:1 After these things, Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself this way. 2 Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I’m going fishing.”They told him, “We are also coming with you.” They immediately went out and entered into the boat. That night, they caught nothing. 4 But when day had already come, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples didn’t know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus therefore said to them, “Children, have you anything to eat?”They answered him, “No.”6 He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.”They cast it therefore, and now they weren’t able to draw it in for the multitude of fish. 7 That disciple therefore whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!”So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he wrapped his coat around himself (for he was naked), and threw himself into the sea. 8 But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from the land, but about two hundred cubits away), dragging the net full of fish. 9 So when they got out on the land, they saw a fire of coals there, with fish and bread laid on it. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.”11 Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land, full of one hundred fifty-three great fish. Even though there were so many, the net wasn’t torn.12 Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast!”None of the disciples dared inquire of him, “Who are you?” knowing that it was the Lord.13 Then Jesus came and took the bread, gave it to them, and the fish likewise. 14 This is now the third time that Jesus was revealed to his disciples after he had risen from the dead.