Celebration: Breakfast With the Lord
Scripture Reading — John 21:1-14
Jesus said to them, ?Come and have breakfast.? ... They knew it was the Lord.
John 21:12
After three years of following Jesus, his disciples didn?t have to ask who that man on the beach was. Were they speechless because the one who was dead was alive again? Or were they afraid that Jesus would give them the tongue-lashing they deserved after running away from him in his hour of need?
But Jesus didn?t lash anyone with his words. He had endured the cruel lashing by Roman soldiers and had been nailed to a cross so that any disciple who ever abandoned him could be fed by the living bread of Christ?s continuing presence. Jesus had given his disciples bread and wine to celebrate his last meal with them (John 13). And now here on this beach he gave them bread and fish to share a breakfast with them.
Note how Jesus gives of himself to people at mealtimes?a wedding party, lunch on a mountainside, Passover, breakfast by the sea. Why? Because God made people in his own image to celebrate special occasions over food and fellowship.
Every time you eat, remember and believe that every day is a special occasion. Jesus still invites himself into our lives. He still feeds and forgives us so that we can invite others to the world?s finest celebration ever?the wedding party of the Lamb of God ?who takes away the sin of the world? (John 1:29; see Rev. 19:5-9).
Lord of all time, Giver of all food, help us see you at the start, in all hours, and at the end of every day. You are the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end of all things. Amen.
About the author — James and Rose Dekker
James C. Dekker is the pastor of Covenant Christian Reformed Church in St. Catharines, Ontario. Previously he served other congregations in Alberta and Ontario. Rose Dekker serves as a refugee coordinator for the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee in Canada. She also serves as a certified spiritual director. The Dekkers were missionaries for nine years with Christian Reformed World Missions, serving in Costa Rica, Guatemala, Venezuela, and Cuba.
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