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John 21:9–14 (ESV)
9 When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. 14 This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.
I always appreciate folks who organize church potlucks. They make a great deal of effort to ensure that a full meal is provided. Sometimes, the organizers provide the main dish and only ask that attendees bring a dessert. Other times, organizers ask specific groups to bring specific items. Since I have no culinary skills, I’m usually asked to take care of the drinks (for which I think everyone is grateful).
This passage centers on a meal that the disciples are about to have with Jesus, and there are two things in this passage that grab my attention.
First, the meal is cooked over a charcoal fire.
The last time we read about a charcoal fire was in chapter 18. You may remember that Peter was warming himself by a charcoal fire in a courtyard while Jesus was being questioned by the high priest. When Peter was confronted about being a disciple of Jesus, he denied being one of Jesus' followers.
I wonder what Peter’s thoughts are as he approaches this charcoal fire. I’m sure his mind is recalling every detail of his denial around that other charcoal fire.
The second thing that draws my attention in this passage is what Jesus says to the disciples, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” It seems a little odd because fish and bread are already laid out on the fire. Why would Jesus ask them to bring more? The recently caught fish are not needed to complete the meal.
What’s happening here is an invitation from Jesus to His disciples to participate in the work that He is already doing. Jesus supplies all that is needed. What we bring to the table isn’t necessary, but Jesus invites us to participate in the work which He is already doing.
We must always remember that Jesus will accomplish His purposes. It will happen with or without us, however we are invited to join Jesus. I love how N.T. Wright expressed this thought in his commentary on the passage.
How dreadfully easy it is for Christian workers to get the impression that we’ve got to do it all. God, we imagine, is waiting passively for us to get on with things. If we don’t organize it, it won’t happen. If we don’t tell people the good news, they won’t hear it. If we don’t change the world, it won’t be changed. “He has no hands but our hands”, we are sometimes told.
What a load of rubbish. Whose hands made the sun rise this morning? Whose breath guided us to think, and pray, and love, and hope? Who is the Lord of the world anyway?
Of course we are to work hard. Of course we are to be organized. Of course there is no excuse for laziness, sloppiness, half-heartedness in the kingdom of God. If it’s God’s work we’re doing, we must do it with all our might. But let’s have no nonsense about it all being up to us, about poor old Jesus being unable to lift a finger unless we lift it for him.
Jesus provides all that is needed, and He will accomplish His purposes with or without us, but we are invited to join Him.
And by the way, don’t miss that this invitation also includes joining Jesus in the meal. The meal serves to remind us of the Lord’s Supper, of communion, and the opportunity to renew our relationship with the Lord as we partake in the meal. Peter has already eagerly accepted Jesus’ invitation to join Him in the work as he hauls the net ashore by himself, and in mere moments Peter will also accept Jesus’ invitation to renew his relationship with Jesus as they share a meal together.
What about you? Jesus has extended that same invitation for you to join Him. How will you respond? How will your church respond?
God bless you and know that you are constantly in my prayers.
Scott
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