November 27, 2019
Thanks for joining with us in prayer today for our prodigals and for revival.
The experts say that breakfast is a very important meal. It’s the meal that breaks the long fast of rest and gets your metabolism going. This is why fish is such a good choice for the morning! Above and beyond the taste, fish has great food value. Fatty fish (such as lake trout, salmon, tuna, etc.) are filled with omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins such as D and B2. It is rich in calcium and a great source of minerals. (Maybe someone around our house will read this and take the hint. :) )
Did you notice how breakfast went in John twenty-one? The disciples were exhausted having worked all night. They witnessed another great miracle with the catch of one hundred and fifty-three fish. At the request of Jesus, they grabbed a few and sat around the fire. Listen to how it went,
Then Jesus served them the bread and the fish (John 21:13 NLT).
It wasn’t every man for himself. It wasn’t survival of the fittest. It wasn’t a grab and go, or even a serve yourself situation. It says, “Jesus served them.” Have you ever heard more beautiful words than these?
This chapter included a rebuke that came after breakfast was served. Such a great precedent the Lord set—food first, fixing second. I will consider that next time. But it is not difficult to receive a rebuke from someone who loves you enough to serve you the way Jesus did that day. Jesus is both the servant-master and the master-servant. The eternal Son was the chief of all servants. Let’s learn a few lessons from His service that early morning on the shore of Galilee.
First, consider His passion. There is no mistaking the deep love that Jesus had for this little group of disciples. The great work of the cross is adequate proof that they and we are in the heart of the Savior. Serving breakfast doesn’t seem like a big deal, but it was! While it was a small act of kindness it revealed that He wanted to provide for them, and He wanted to be with them. From John fifteen we learn that they were His friends, and as you know, friends hang out!
More often than not, life is made up of small deeds done for one another on a daily basis. You may be called someday to lay down your life for someone you love, but until then, just fill your days with little acts of kindness.
Secondly, think about His sacrifice. The one who served was the Creator of all things, and you may wonder if there was much of a sacrifice in serving bread and fish, but there was. It was the sacrifice of time. Having put three years into these men, having gone to the cross, having shown Himself to them, He could have made a quick exit and headed home. He didn’t. His willingness to invest His precious, valuable, limited time into these seven men would be forever etched on their minds. He was concerned for their well-being and took the time to show it.
Serving one another will involve many sacrifices, but none so precious as your time. It is easy to fill our time for ourselves, with our own endeavors and pursuits, but expending time on a child, on a partner, on a lonely believer is time spent for the kingdom. The recipient will appreciate it and so will the Lord.
Lastly, what was His goal? There may have been a number of reasons why He served, but the one I wish to highlight is that of communion. I like the KJV rendering of verse twelve. “Jesus saith unto them, 'Come and dine.' And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.” Think of those words:
Come and dine.
Have you dined with Him today? Have you sat with Him and enjoyed His presence? Have you tasted the Bread of Life and enjoyed the nourishing fish that satisfies the soul? Have you fed another believer with food that will draw them closer to their Lord? Dining with Jesus meets our deepest needs and enables us to serve others in Christ-like ways with compassion and grace, all for the glory of God.
Love in Christ,
Bryan and Rachel
Comments