When Jesus Met Me on the Water: A Encounter Before Breakfast

Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast.” Yet none of the disciples dared ask Him, “Who are You?”—knowing that it was the Lord
-John 21:12

Today I want to share something deeply personal with you—an encounter with Jesus that led to one of many beautiful teaching moments in my life. While I went live on social media earlier today sharing a study from Proverbs 4 (which you can find on my YouTube channel), I felt called to step back and share the heart behind that moment, the supernatural encounter that made it all possible.

Standing on the Mountain, Searching for His Presence

Earlier that morning, as I was spending time with the Lord in prayer, something extraordinary happened. I was suddenly taken into the spirit realm, finding myself standing atop a mountain, overlooking a vast horizon. Let me try my best to paint this picture for you, though I know words will never fully capture what I witnessed.

The lighting was dim, with clouds and haze swirling around me. Deep purples and grays painted the sky like brushstrokes of melancholy. But that horizon—oh, that horizon—was bright and radiant, breaking through like a smile flashing across a face for the first time after a long season of grief. It was beautifully melancholic, hope piercing through sorrow.

You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever.
Psalms 30:11-12

Now it shall come to pass in the latter days That the mountain of the Lord’s house Shall be established on the top of the mountains, And shall be exalted above the hills; And all nations shall flow to it. Many people shall come and say, “Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth the law, And the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
Isaiah 2:2-3

As I stood on that mountaintop, I found myself looking around, wondering where my Jesus was. Usually when I'm taken into the spirit, He's right there beside me. But this time felt different. I wasn't afraid—just curious, trying to understand what I was seeing and experiencing.

The Sunrise Revelation

Then, as the sunrise began breaking forth over the ocean like a curtain slowly lifting away the gray, something caught my eye. Looking down from my mountain perch, I saw Him—Jesus—on a small boat, preparing fishing gear.

Friends, I wish I could find words adequate enough to express how glorious He is in everything He does. But honestly, it just wouldn't do Him justice. His very presence commands instant praise. I literally have to fight back what feels so natural in the spirit—the overwhelming urge to bow and worship Him.

that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:10-11

I'm giggling to myself as I type this because I just know the enemy can't stand it when Jesus shows up on our behalf as we pray through our battles, hardships, sadness, and fears. Jesus truly is our King!

These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.
Revelation 17:14

Transported to the Boat of Intimacy

Suddenly, I was transported right next to Him. (In the spirit realm, it's not like our physical world where I'd have to trek down the mountain and swim across the ocean to reach Him—though can I get an amen from those who would totally do that physically? I'd follow my King anywhere!)

As I stood beside Jesus on that boat, the Holy Spirit whispered to my heart that the boat represented intimacy. Jesus looked up at me, and though I don't see His face clearly in the spirit—it's more like a knowing or impression—I felt Him smile and say those beautiful words: "Let's go fishing."

Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
Matthew 4:19

What I felt in that moment was pure love and gentleness. He was the teacher, and I was His eager student. The Holy Spirit, who truly is my best friend, was right there giving me the interpretation I needed to properly discern His heart for me. Isn’t that beautiful? Sometimes we need a cheerleader to assist us in properly discerning His pure love. Like a best friend who tells you to, “Go for it! They’re really feeling you.” When it comes to reading between the lines of a text between a love interest.

Understanding the Call to Fish

When Jesus said "Let's go fishing," something clicked in my spirit. I knew with absolute certainty that He approved of me streaming my Bible study live. More than that, I realized I'm still learning how to be a fisher of men—and He was about to show me exactly where to cast my rod, the very direction I ended up taking in my Proverbs study.

As I returned to the physical realm, the tears came. I wept both because I had stood next to Jesus clothed in garments of white—white that was only possible because of Him—and because He had opened my understanding to something profound about John 21.

The Heart of Encounter

Here's what He showed me, and I pray it blesses your heart as much as it did mine: The reason Jesus walks the shoreline in the early morning is to prepare for encounter. The reason He met His disciples at the shore for breakfast wasn't just coincidence—it's because He fills our needs before the hunger pains kick in. He increases and comes with comfort and reassurance.

Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning 
Psalm 30:5

After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way He showed Himself: Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.”

They said to him, “We are going with you also.” They went out and [a]immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing. But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Then Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?”

They answered Him, “No.”

And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish.

Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea. But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from land, but about two hundred cubits), dragging the net with fish. Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.”

Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not broken. 
John 21:1-11

While He trains us and teaches us, He already has the abundance prepared. We're simply learning to receive it, waiting on Him, discovering how to fathom His heart for others and for us, and learning to faithfully steward His word as witnesses—as lights on a hill breaking forth across the darkness.

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:14-16

If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying.
2 Corinthians 11:30-31

An Invitation to Go Deeper

Friend, I share this not to elevate my own experience, but to remind you that Jesus is calling each of us to our own boat of intimacy with Him. He's preparing fishing gear for you too. He has encounters waiting, divine appointments scheduled, and a deep love that He's eager to reveal.

Maybe you're standing on your own mountaintop right now, wondering where He is in your season. Take heart—He's preparing something beautiful. Light will break forth. A new dawn. Keep looking for that sunrise breaking through your gray skies. Your King is coming, and He's bringing everything you need.

What horizon is Jesus asking you to look toward today? What fishing expedition might He be inviting you on?

I'd love to hear about your own encounters with Jesus in the comments below. And don't forget to check out that Proverbs 4 study on my YouTube channel—it's the beautiful fruit that grew from this supernatural encounter.