Come and Dine

Most of you will know the story recorded in John 21 where the disciples had fished all night long but they caught nothing. Then someone calls to them from the shore to throw their nets on the other side of the boat. That instruction made no sense. They were professional fisherman who had worked hard all night. Of course they would have thrown their nets on both sides of the boat. Even so, they threw their nets out again but this time the nets were full. The man on the shore then called out, “Come and dine.” This man already had fish cooking on a fire. Instantly they knew this man was Jesus.

Why do you suppose Jesus performed this miracle? Why was He cooking breakfast? Was He merely concerned for their hunger? Yes, but it was their spiritual hunger that concerned Him. Jesus was using a physical picture to point to spiritual truth. Jesus had already said of Himself, I am the bread of life (John 6:35). He had also said, Those who drink the water I give them will never be thirsty again (John 4:14). Jesus also said in regard to the bread served in what we call the Lord’s Supper, This is my body which is given for you (Luke 22:19). He said the same regarding the cup which represents His blood.

What was Jesus wanting us to understand? What was He illustrating to His disciples the morning of fish for breakfast? He was informing us that bread and drink will sustain us physically for a time, but feasting on the Word, on Jesus, will satisfy us for eternity. You see, when we feast upon Jesus, we are feeding upon His forgiveness, His love, His wisdom, His strength, His peace, His guidance. When we feed upon Jesus, at last we find all that is truly satisfying; we find all that will sustain us through all the trials of life. When we discover the feast Jesus provides, we need no longer seek for anything else, because when we taste of Jesus, we know there is nothing greater to be found. In John 1:1 and 14 we read, In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God and the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. Feeding upon Jesus nourishes us and maintains us today, tomorrow, and for all eternity.

O taste and see that the Lord is good (Psalm 34:8).