The invitation to come and dine with Jesus still stands today. There may not be fish on the coals, but there will always be the bread of heaven. There are actually two parts to the simple invitation in John 21:12.
The invitation to come and dine with Jesus still stands today. There may not be fish on the coals, but there will always be the bread of heaven. There are actually two parts to the simple invitation in John 21:12.
The invitation to come and dine with Jesus still stands today. There may not be fish on the coals, but there will always be the bread of heaven. There are actually two parts to the simple invitation in John 21:12.
John 21:1-14 KJV [Read this Scripture Passage before
reading the blog entry] Greek = arist, ar-is-tah'-o; to take the principle meal: to dine. These words of Jesus Come and dine were not a command (John 21:12 KJV). They were, however, a loving invitation. The invitation to come and dine with Jesus still stands today. There may not be fish on the coals of the fire, but there will always be the bread of heaven. More than that, this is not just any invitation. It is His invitation. It was then and it always will be. He had actually made a similar invitation before to a crowd that had followed Him, and it appears in this fashion: John 6:32-35 NIV Jesus said to them, Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world. Sir, they said, always give us this bread. Then Jesus declared, I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. (emphasis mine) If we are not careful, we will miss the fact that there are actually two parts to the simple invitation in John 21:12. The first is to come. Jesus makes this invitation in so many instances (in scripture) that, quite frankly, it is very hard to miss. Fewer times, though, does he announce the second part of the invitation; to dine. Perhaps it appears silly or somewhat out of place, but coining the old adage here and drawing a comparison will help us see the difference. You can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make him drink.
Come & Dine
You can come to Jesus, but you wont necessarily come to dine. I must admit, I am not much of a breakfast eater, at least not habitually. Most often I am too much in a hurry to sit down to a hearty breakfast, and particularly during a work week. In fact, this is not uncommon for many people I know. If they have a big breakfast, it is likely on special occasions. This habit or association with what breakfast is may cause us to get a wrong impression from this passage or miss out on some of its significance. I trust the following insight may help. Unfortunately and as well, our English language likely causes us to miss out on a very important feature of Christs invitation. Notice that the word dine (only in the KJV) or breakfast (in most other Bible translations) in the original Greek language is a word that actually means the principle (or primary) meal of the day. The significance of this is quite paramount. Figuratively speaking, Christ Himself indeed is meant to be our main meal, our chief nourishment of the day. I believe the inclusion of give us this day our daily bread in The Lords Prayer (Matthew 6:11) has far reaching implications well beyond physical food. And there is more. These words also imply that Jesus desires to have us near. It implies the same table; the same food; and a nearness such as gives opportunity for face-to-face fellowship. It implies that He has invited us, so to speak, into His house, into His banqueting house, where His banner over us is love (see Song of Solomon 2:4). Is it any mystery, then, that a time is coming where we as believers will enjoy that ultimate dining experience at the wedding supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9)? But for now, while on earth, what else might come and dine imply? Notice also that Jesus met them and made this invitation in their normal lives and in their accustomed surroundings (John 21:1). 2
Come & Dine
His invitation to dine with Him and to feast upon Him is in the places we already find ourselves. In this particular case, it was by the sea, a place that many of the disciples had spent much of their lives. His invitation is made where we are, and the dining is done, where we are. Notice further that some of what we dine upon, with Jesus, can be a result of our faith. Jesus encouraged the disciples to bring some of the fish which you have just caught (John 21:10). This same group had recently seen this same Jesus multiply five loaves of bread and two fish to feed a much larger crowd. Could He not now multiply the fish & bread already near and at His disposal on the beach? Certainly. Rather, by invitation to use their catch, He indirectly draws attention to the fact that they had heeded His voice. Remember that they had fished all night and caught nothing. Yet, by virtue of one cast on the opposite side of the boat (which must have appeared to be shear nonsense), they now could and would participate in providing for the dining experience. Their catch would supply the food for one another. They had something to contribute to the dining experience. If we are to look at this figuratively, our faith (and often obedience) can provide nourishment for the body of Christ. Jesus invitation to come and dine is twofold: Come and dine with Him, and come and dine with each other. This is not an either-or proposition; both aspects must take place in our lives. Some people continually wrestle with the notion, What do I have to bring to the table?; (the pun is intended and again, this is figuratively speaking). If they would but see that the entire body of Christ, including the Head, can feast upon the results of their faith and obedience. What we have to offer, as meager as it might seem, can literally provide spiritual nourishment to the entire body. What you as a believer bring to the table matters to Jesus, and it matters to the body. What we have to offer contributes to the principle meal of our lives. 3
Come & Dine
To be sure, I speak of what nourishes the soul rather than what fills the stomach. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. Colossians 1:18 holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God. Colossians 2:19 Just recently, and in addition to Jesus and His Word, I had several individuals greatly encourage me and provide nourishment for my soul. Some even came to me privately and a bit sheepishly, wondering if what they had to bring to the table was worthwhile. I could tell that a couple of these people wrestled with offering their catch; their increase from God. In the process, their faith was obviously being challenged. Nonetheless, they obeyed the Holy Spirits nudging. I must say that indeed my soul was nourished with what they shared, and Jesus was magnified and was nourished with joy as well. In turn, with the soul nourishment I received, I will most certainly nourish others. They in turn will nourish others still. Christ by His faithfulness will be present at each of these dining experiences. If faith and obedience are involved, He as well as His body will be nourished with joy, yet again and again! Come and dine! Jesus has promised life, and that wed have it more abundantly.