Jesus was a cook

JESUS WAS A COOK
EDITED BY GLENN PEASE
John 21:12 12Jesussaid to them, "Come and have
breakfast."Noneof the disciples dared ask him, "Who
are you?" They knew it was the LORD.
BIBLEHUB RESOURCES
Pulpit Commentary Homiletics
The Diffidence Of ReverentHearts
John 21:12
J.R. Thomson
It does at first sight seemstrange that when John had exclaimed, "It is the
Lord!" when Peterhad plunged into the lake to swim to the shore where Jesus
stood, when all the little company had indubitable evidence that Jesus was
indeed with them, there should still have been this reticence, this diffidence,
this awe. Yet such conduct is not inconsistentwith human nature; and its
analogue is still to be discernedin human experience.
I. THE SOUL RECOGNIZES CHRIST BYHIS DIVINE DEMEANOR AND
LANGUAGE. The authority and the consideratenesswith which Jesus
addressedthe disciples, and the provision which he made for their wants,
were to them an assurance thatthey were not mistakenin their conviction
that they were in the presence oftheir Lord. Only let the heart be open to the
manifestations of the spiritual presence ofthe Divine Lord and Savior of men,

in his Word and in human society, and the conclusionwill be reachedspeedily
and certainly that the work witnessesto the Worker;that the light and heat
are an index to the presence ofthe sun. The correspondence betweenhuman
need on the one hand and Divine provision on the other is so marked and so
perfect as to suggest, andindeed to require, belief in the authoritative mission
of Christ, and in his eternal presence in human society.
II. THE SOUL MAY BE DETERREDBYITS VERY REVERENCEFROM
INTELLECTUAL INQUIRY INTO CHRIST'S CREDENTIALS. No doubt
there are those who believe as they have been taught and trained to believe,
and whose beliefis simply the reflectionof that of others. Yet there are
natures, refined and sensitive, who are so perfectly convincedof our Lord's
Deity and mission, that to doubt of, and even to inquire into, this matter seems
almost like a scrutiny into a mother's virtue or a father's integrity. They have
the witness within themselves. Forsome, evidences and investigationand
criticism may be necessary;but for these reverent souls is no such need.
Knowing "it is the Lord," they dare not ask him, "Who art thou?"
III. SUCH FAITH IS SUFFICIENT FOR HIM WHO EXERCISES IT, AND
IS ACCEPTABLE TO THE LORD HIMSELF. Men may reasonand argue
and dispute, and yet never come to faith, whilst there are believing souls who
are altogetherindifferent to logicalprocessesand insusceptible to critical
doubt. The heart may be peacefuland strong in fellowshipwith the Savior
who has revealedhimself to it. And he whose claims will endure all scrutiny,
and whose right transcends all debate, is yet willing to acceptthe homage of
the child-like, and the devotion of the congenialand the pure. - T.
Biblical Illustrator
Jesus saithunto them, Come and dine.
John 21:12, 13
Loving invitation

C. H. Spurgeon.
(cf. John 1:39): — Here is —
I. NEARNESSfamiliar and domestic. While we are sinners faith brings us
into a justified state by simply looking to Christ; but after believing faith then
assists us to enjoy Christ. Some expectto enjoy Christ first and believe Him
afterwards;but you must take God's mercies in their order. You will not find
"Come and dine" in the first chapter of John — there it is, "Come and see."
Believe Jesus first, and you shall feed on Him afterwards. "Come and see"
gives peace, but "Come and dine" gives heaven, for it gives Christ.
II. UNION WITH JESUS, because the only meat that we caneat when we
dine with Christ is Himself. We do not provide the supper. Christ found the
fish, the fire, and the bread, and then said, "Come and dine." The fire that
warms our heart when we have fellowship with Him comes from Himself, and
the fish that we eatis His own, and the wine that we drink flows from His own
heart. Oh, what union is this!
III. FELLOWSHIP WITH THE SAINTS. You are not to eat your morsel
alone, but in company. We sit down in heaven with Abraham, Isaac, and
Jacob, atthe marriage supper of the Lamb, and no small part of the hereafter
bliss is connectedwith the fellowship of the saints. So here we enjoy the
company as wellas the feast. The Supper of the Lord is the table of
communion, not only with the Master, but also with all who love Him. Hungry
men are sure to be quarrelsome, but if you would have sweetestfellowship
with eachother, live on Christ. We do not expectto see all Christians
agreeing, but we are sure that one of the most likely plans for cultivating a
brotherly spirit is to listen to Christ's words, "Come and dine."
IV. THE SOURCE OF STRENGTHFOR EVERYCHRISTIAN. To look at
Christ is to live, but for strength to serve Him you must come and dine. We
need as much food for the soulas for the body, and unless we eat we shall be
fainting by the way. If you want to be as Mr. Feeblemind, take only a small
modicum of spiritual food in your closets;neglectfamily prayer; never attend
a prayer-meeting; on no accountspeak about religious matters during the
week;go late to the house of God, and fall asleepwhenyou get there; as soon

as you leave the place of worship talk about the weather. All your strength
depends upon union with Christ. Away from Him you must wither as a
branch severedfrom the vine. Feeding on Him you will be like the branch
which is drinking up the sapfrom the parent stem; you will be strong enough
to bring forth fruit.
V. GROWTHAND PROGRESSIN SPIRITUAL THINGS. To see Christ is to
begin the Christian's life, but to grow in grace we must "come and dine." The
early history of the first disciples is by no means satisfactory. Theywere
evidently only babes in spiritual things. They had seenJesus, and loved Him,
and followedHim, but they were far from possessing the Spirit of Christ. Now
after they had reachedthis stage of living on Christ they became new men. It
is no longermere sight, but an inward appropriation, and the consequences
are manifest. Many Christians remain stunted and dwarfed. They exist but do
not grow. The reasonis evident, they are not taking of Christ, and they neglect
to appropriate to themselves the blessing which He is waiting to bestow.
VI. PREPARATION FOR SERVICE. Before the feastis concluded, Christ
says to Peter, "FeedMy lambs;" "FeedMy sheep;" "Follow Me." All the
strength supplied by Christ is for service. Some Christians are for living on
Christ, but are not so anxious to live for Christ. Heaven is the place where
saints feastmost and work most. Now, earth should be a preparation for
heaven; come and dine, and then go and labour. Freelyye receive, freely give;
gather up all the fragments of your feast, and carry the loaves and fishes to
others, as did the disciples. We are not to hold the precious grains of truth like
a mummy does the wheat, for ages, without giving it a chance of growing. No,
feed yourself, and then go forth and bid others come and eat and drink. Why
does the Lord send down the rain upon the thirsty earth, and give the
sunshine and the genialrefreshing breeze?
(C. H. Spurgeon.)
The dinner on the Galileanshore
D. Thomas, D. D.

an emblem of redemption: —
I. THE TIME WAS OPPORTUNE.The disciples had tried all their resources
for means of a livelihood that night and had failed. They were no doubt tired,
hungry, and dejected. The dinner came just at the right time. It is just so with
the redemptive system. After the world had tried everything for its salvation
— poetry, philosophy, religion, civilization — and grew worse, Christcame
"in the fulness of time."
II. THE PROVISIONS WERE DESIRABLE.The fish they caught they had
been toiling all night to obtain. They were craving for such food. The
provisions of the gospel are both suited to man's needs and urgently required.
They are —
1. Renovating.
2. Cleansing.
3. Developing.
4. Harmonizing.
5. Perfecting.InIsaiah25:6 we have a description of the greatSpiritual
banquet. How rich, varied, abundant the viands!
III. THE HOST WAS CONDESCENDING. Whata sight! — the Son of God
preparing a feastfor poor fishermen, and dining with them. Thus He has done
in redemption. He descendedinto the "lowestparts of the earth," unto the
lowestgrades;"made Himself of no reputation."
(D. Thomas, D. D.)
A feastwith Jesus
C. H. Spurgeon.
1. Our Lord is carefulof bodily wants. Twice in the days of His flesh He fed
the people with bread and fish, and now He has risen He still thinks of the

hungering bodies of the disciples. This may be a warrant to the churches to
feed, not to try and proselytize.
2. If any of you are needy catch at this. He who saidto the seven, "Come and
break your fast," will not forget you. I cannot tell how the fire was lighted,
&c., but some wayor other you will be fed.
3. If Jesus is thus careful of bodily wants, much more will He be carefulof
your souls. After He had supplied the one He proceeds to Supply the other.
I. THE IMPORTANCEOF A FEAST WITH JESUS. It was important to
these men —
1. Forthey were wet and cold; so a fire was provided where they could dry
their jerseys and warm their hands. They were hungry too, and here is the old
food, light and easyof digestion. Christ does not like to see us wet, and cold,
and hungry, because it is not goodfor us. If, therefore, you feel uncomfortable
and unhappy Jesus does not want you to be so. Many a battle has been lost
because the soldiers were not in goodcondition.
2. They were wearywith the night's fruitless toil; and when Christ's modern
workers feeldiscouragedHe invites them to come and break their fastwith
Him.
3. They were likely to forget their bodily wants in their sudden success.It is
hungry work now to live on catching and counting. Successfulworkers are
prone to forgettheir own spiritual wants.
4. Christ was about to overhaul them. It is needful that Christ should feedus
before He searchesus.
5. They were about to receive a commission. Christ does not send people to
feed His sheepand lambs without feeding them first.
6. They were about to enter on a perilous path. Wonder not that you are
calledto endure fiery trials, but see that you are first fed on heavenly bread.

II. JESUS ACTING AS HOST. IS not this wonderful? Jesus communing with
Thomas, who doubted Him, and Peter, who denied Him. Notice Jesus our
Host —
1. Preparing the feast. It was an actof creative power. Your soul canever feed
on what Christ creates, but on nothing else.
2. Waiting on the feasters.Sometimes a host will say, "Help yourselves," but
we cannot help ourselves;so "Jesus comethand takethbread and giveth
them." There is goodspiritual food in the Word, but sometimes we cannot get
at it; so Jesus puts it into our hearts.
3. Showing Himself. Giving them food was the most effective manner of doing
this. When the Word nourishes most, then is the time of the clearestvisionof
Christ; and that vision is the most satisfying thing on earth or in heaven.
III. THE PROVISIONS.
1. What He had mysteriously prepared. Feednow on the mysteries of —
(1)Everlasting love.
(2)The covenantof grace.
(3)The brotherhood of Christ.
(4)Atoning efficacy.
2. What He had graciouslygiven. God's mercies are like the hundred and fifty
and three — an odd number, but very exact. Has not your net, too, been full
of answers to prayer?
IV. HOW THE GUESTS BEHAVED THEMSELVES.
1. They only spoke one word — "No;" which betrayed the emptiness and
hunger of their souls. You may sayto your Lord, "I am a negative, nobody
and nowhere without Thee." The devotion which shows itself by bawling may
be genuine, but it is very superficial. Deepwaters are still. It takes a wise man
to hold his tongue.

2. They askedChrist no questions. People who have no religion are fond of
religious questions. But when you getnear Christ there is no questioning. We
believe in the Bible because we know the Author, and are therefore not
troubled with scepticaldoubts. They were lostin wonderat His amazing
condescension, andHis majestic presence. Whatcould they do but hold their
tongues?
(C. H. Spurgeon.)
Communion with Christ
DeanVaughan.
This chapter has a sacramentalcharacter, and the words, "Come and dine,"
are a summons to communion. Note —
I. THE ENTERTAINMENT.
1. There is already fish prepared when Jesus says, "Bring of the fish now
caught." Host and guest must eachcontribute. "If any man will hear My voice
and open the door, I will come in and sup with him and he with Me," i.e., I
with him as his Guest, and he with Me as Mine. It is so here. Communion
implies reciprocity. When Christ meets His people at the holy feastHe is there
as the Host who furnishes the fire and the fish, the bread and the wine, the
supplies of grace and of the Spirit. But He is also the Guest. We partake of
Him, but He looks to partake of us, though we know that He can find nothing
that can give Him pleasure till He puts it there. This fish which we must bring
He guided into the net. Christ having first given the grace comesto receive of
it. He is spiritually present to receive as well as communicate that highest joy
which is the interchange of conscious feeling and trusted love, to partake of us
as we of Him.
2. If this be the case canwe come thoughtlessly, with defiled hands, or with
self-righteousnessto offer ourselves for Christ's participation? Nay, but let us
come with what He craves, the love on receiving which here or anywhere He
sees ofthe travail of His soul and is satisfied.

II. THE FEELING. "None durst ask Him." Why should they if they knew?
The saying expresses that almostnew converse with which the disciples after
the Resurrectionregardedtheir Lord. One there had previously presumed to
question, "Be it far from Thee, Lord." It was not so now. Think with what
instinctive awe we should regard a similar manifestationof Christ now.
Questioning would have been impertinent. They must wait for Him to speak
now. It would also have been mistrusting. Well enoughdid they know it was
the Lord, notwithstanding the changes which the three days had wrought.
There is a familiarity in words, hymns, meditations, in these times which
befits not our intercourse with the Risen. Let the feeling which reigns around
the Lord's table be one of reverence. This is not dread, distance, bondage, but
adoring love.
III. THE CONVERSATION.Some have found it difficult to maintain a spirit
of prolonged communion at the Lord's table; but let them learn from this to
commune about —
1. Their sins. Who can doubt that Peter's three denials were uppermost in his
heart? Yet you will note that there was no remorse for an irrevocable past,
and no excuses forinexcusable guilt. Be guided by this in your communion,
and this one topic will provide enough for an hour's profitable discourse.
2. Their work. This communion brought reinstatementfor Peterin his
apostolate, anda particular designationto his future employment. Converse,
then, about thy work, its past deficiencies, andthy need of present and future
strength to do it.
3. Their future. Peter's was here revealed, and if thine is not in such
particularity, yet the words, "Follow Me," will heartenthee to meet it,
whateverit may be.
4. Their friends, "What shall this man do?"
(DeanVaughan.)

COMMENTARIES
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers
(12) Jesus saithunto them, Come and dine.—Comp. Note on John 21:15 and
Luke 11:37, which are the only other instances ofthe verb in the New
Testament. The meal referred to was the early morning meal which we call
breakfast(John 21:4).
And none of the disciples durst ask him . . .—Comp. John 4:27. They
approachHim in reverent silence. Knowing it is the Lord, they yet desire the
assurance in His own words, and still they do not dare to ask, “Who art
thou?” The Greek word rendered “ask” means to “prove” “inquire.” It is
found elsewhere in the New Testamentin Matthew 2:8; Matthew 10:11 only.
The word rendered “durst,” is also not found againin St. John, but its use in
the Gospels is—exceptin the instance of Nicodemus, “who went in boldly unto
Pilate” (Mark 15:43)—confinedto the expressionof the reverence which
dared not question our Lord. (Comp. Matthew 22:46; Mark 12:34;Luke
20:40.)In all these instances it is used with a negative, and with a verb of
inquiry, as here.
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary
21:1-14 Christ makes himself knownto his people, usually in his ordinances;
but sometimes by his Spirit he visits them when employed in their business. It
is goodfor the disciples of Christ to be togetherin common conversation, and
common business. The hour for their entering upon actionwas not come.
They would help to maintain themselves, and not be burdensome to any.
Christ's time of making himself knownto his people, is when they are most at
a loss. He knows the temporal wants of his people, and has promised them not
only grace sufficient, but food convenient. Divine Providence extends itself to
things most minute, and those are happy who acknowledge Godin all their
ways. Those who are humble, diligent, and patient, though their labours may
be crossed, shallbe crowned; they sometimes live to see their affairs take a

happy turn, after many struggles. And there is nothing lost by observing
Christ's orders; it is casting the net on the right side of the ship. Jesus
manifests himself to his people by doing that for them which none else cando,
and things which they lookednot for. He would take care that those who left
all for him, should not want any good thing. And latter favours are to bring to
mind former favours, that eatenbread may not be forgotten. He whom Jesus
loved was the first that said, It is the Lord. John had cleavedmost closelyto
his Masterin his sufferings, and knew him soonest. Peterwas the most
zealous, and reachedChrist the first. How variously God dispenses his gifts,
and what difference there may be betweensome believers and others in the
way of their honouring Christ, yet they all may be acceptedofhim! Others
continue in the ship, drag the net, and bring the fish to shore, and such
persons ought not to be blamed as worldly; for they, in their places, are as
truly serving Christ as the others. The Lord Jesus had provision ready for
them. We need not be curious in inquiring whence this came; but we may be
comforted at Christ's care for his disciples. Although there were so many, and
such greatfishes, yet they lostnone, nor damagedtheir net. The net of the
gospelhas enclosedmultitudes, yet it is as strong as ever to bring souls to God.
Barnes'Notes on the Bible
Come and dine - The word in the original means the meal which is taken in
the morning, or breakfast.
Jamieson-Fausset-BrownBible Commentary
12-14. none … durst ask him, Who art thou, knowing it was the Lord—
implying that they would have liked Him just to say, "It is I"; but having such
convincing evidence they were afraid of being "upbraided for their unbelief
and hardness of heart" if they ventured to put the question.
Matthew Poole's Commentary
It was in the morning, and may as wellbe translated, Come and break your
fasts, as

Come and dine. They now knew it was the Lord, if not by his face and voice,
yet by this miracle; therefore they durst not ask him, for fear of a sharp
reproof, after he had by such a miraculous operationmade himself known to
them.
Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible
Jesus saithunto them, come and dine,.... One would think it should rather
have been said, come and take a breakfastthan a dinner, since it was so early
in the morning: but Grotius has observed, out of Homer, that is used for food
takenin a morning; so that it may signify here, not what we properly call
dining, but eating a morning's meal; and may be an emblem of that spiritual
refreshment believers enjoy with Christ in his house and ordinances now, and
of those everlasting pleasures they will partake with him in the resurrection
morn: and it is to be observed, that he does not saygo and dine, but come and
dine; that is, along with himself: he does not send his disciples elsewherefor
food, but invites them to come to him, to hear his word, which is food for
faith, to wait in his house, where plenty of provision is made, and to attend on
his ordinances, and in all to feedupon himself, and to feed with him; to all
which they are heartily welcome.
And none of the disciples durst ask him, who art thou? knowing that it was
the Lord: to ask such a question was altogetherunnecessary, and would have
been impertinent, and they might justly have been upbraided and rebuked for
it: it would have lookedlike insolence, orunbelief, or both, and that greatly
aggravated, whenit was so cleara case that it was the Lord; who might be
known by his voice and person, especiallywhenthey came near to him, and
also by the miracles which he wrought: so at the last day, when every eye shall
see him coming in the clouds of heaven, none will ask who he is; all will know
him.
Geneva Study Bible
Jesus saithunto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask
him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.
EXEGETICAL(ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Meyer's NT Commentary
John 21:12-13. Ἄριστονis, as little as in Matthew 22:4, Luke 11:38, the
principal meal, which, in spite of John 21:4, Hengstenberg suggestsin the
interest of allegoricalinterpretation, but breakfast.
ἐτόλμα]dared, presumed. Although, that is, it had been possible for them, in
respectof the external appearance, to doubt whether He was the Lord, they
were nevertheless convincedof His identity, and hence dared not to ask Him:
Who art thou? Reverential awe (comp. already John 4:27), in presence ofthe
marvellous appearance ofthe RisenOne, deprived them of the courage to do
so. According to Augustine, Beda, Jansen, and severalothers, they dared not
doubt, which however, is not expressed. Chrysostomaptly remarks: οὐκέτι
γὰρ τὴν αὐτὴνπαῤῥησίαν εἶχον· … τὴν δὲ μορφὴνἀλλοιοτέρανὁρῶντες καὶ
πολλῆς ἐκπλήξεως γέμουσαν, σφόδρα ἦσαν καταπεπληγμένοι, καὶ ἐβούλοντο
τι περὶ αὐτῆς ἐρωτᾶν· ἀλλὰ τὸ δέος καὶ τὸ εἰδέναι αὐτοὺς, ὅτι οὐχ ἕτερός τις
ἦν, ἀλλʼ αὐτὸς, ἐπεῖχοντὴν ἐρώτησιν.
ἐξετάσαι] to explore (Matthew 2:8; Matthew 10:11; Sir 11:7; Sir 13:11,
frequently in the classics),sciscitari;strong expressionfrom the point of view
from which the respectful timidity of the disciples regarded the daring nature
of the question.
εἰδότες]Constructio κατὰ σύνεσιν. See Kühner, II. § 419a;Krüger, § 58. 4. 5.
John 21:13. ἔρχεται]The δεῦτε, John 21:12, has summoned the disciples to the
place of the meal where the fire of coals was;Jesus Himself, who had
therefore stoodat some distance therefrom, now steps forward, in order to
distribute the breakfast.

τὸν ἄρτον] points back to John 21:9, but τὸ ὀψάριονto John 21:9-10 : the
bread lying there, etc. Both are againcollective. It is not merely one loaf and
one fish which Jesus distributes, as Hengstenberg, for the purpose of
symbolically interpreting it of a heavenly reward of toil, assumes;see John
21:10.
A thanksgiving before the δίδωσινis not related, not as though Jesus omitted
τὰ ἀνθρώπινα (Euth. Zigabenus); nor as though He did not desire positively to
offer Himself to their recognition(Lange, in oppositionto John 21:12);nor,
again, as though the meal was to be a silent[281]one (Luthardt, who adds:
“for such is the table fellowshipof Jesus and His own in the present aeon”);
nor, again, because the meal representedfuture blessings (Hengstenberg),—
but because here it is not a question of any proper meal, as in Luke 24:20, but
rather only of a breakfast, ofa morning meal, partakenof only while standing
(there is no mention, moreover, of a lying down), which also was not to have,
like that early meal of Paul, Acts 27:35, a characterof solemnity. It was not
this breakfastin itself, which Christ prepared for the disciples, but that which
preceded(the draught of fishes) and succeeded(John21:15 ff.), which was the
objectfor which the RisenOne here appeared.
[281]That the meal passedgenerallyin entire silence, as also Hengstenberg
suggests, as little appears from the text as that Jesus did not Himself partake
of it (Hengstenberg). In favour of a symbolical interpretation of details, a
dismal and extravagantcharacteris given to the incident. But the text breaks
off with the distribution of the bread and of the mess of fish, and it says
nothing of the progress ofthe breakfast.
Expositor's Greek Testament
John 21:12. λέγει … ἀριστήσατε, Jesustakes the place of host and says,
“Come, breakfast,”make your morning meal. οὐδεὶς … Κύριός ἐστιν, not one
of the disciples ventured to interrogate Him; ἐξετάσαι is “to examine by

questioning”. Eachman felt convincedit was the Lord, and a new reverence
prevented them from questioning Him.
Cambridge Bible for Schools andColleges
12. Come and dine] The meal indicated is not the principal meal of the day
(deipnon) which was takenin the afternoon, but the morning meal (ariston) or
breakfast. See onLuke 11:37.
And none] Omit ‘and.’ There is a solemnsimplicity in the narrative. The
sentences fromJohn 21:10 to John 21:14 have no connecting particles:comp.
chap. 15 and John 20:13-19.
none durst ask … knowing] A mixture of perplexity, awe, and conviction.
They are convincedthat He is the Lord, yet feel that He is changed, and
reverence restrains them from curious questions. Comp. Matthew 2:8;
Matthew 10:11. The writer knows the inmost feelings of Apostles (comp. John
2:11; John 2:17; John 2:22, John 4:27; John 4:33, John 6:21, John 9:2, John
20:20)[11].
Bengel's Gnomen
John 21:12. Δεῦτε, come) The Lord receives His disciples at the banquet. In
John 21:9 there is mentioned the preparation for dinner (or rather luncheon,
or breakfast, ἄριστον, the early meal).—ἀριστήσατε,breakfastordine) viz.
ye. Jesus had no necessityto eat. From the mention of breakfastor luncheon
(the morning meal), with which comp. John 21:4, “the morning,” it is evident
the manifestation(John 21:1) of Him lastedmany hours.—οὐδεὶς, none)
Implying the greatsolemnity of this feast.—εἰδότες, knowing)Syllepsis.[403]
[403]The sense being regarded in the construction more than the words. The
participle plural agreeing with μαθηταὶ understood, takenout of οὐδεὶς
μαθητῶν.—E.and T.

Pulpit Commentary
Verse 12. - Jesus saithto them, Come and break your fast. A Word is used
which does not denote the principal meal of the day (not δειπνέω, but
ἀριστάω, from ἄριστον), but a slight refreshment that was takenin early
morning, or at leastbefore noon, and answers to our breakfastat the dawning
of the day. He calls them to the repast. He becomes once more their Host and
their Minister. Even still, metaphorically, he washes their feet. He attends to
their requirements. He feeds them from this strangelybestowedsupply. He
joins them in their hunger for souls. He inspires their methods. He shares in
their victory, after painful fruitless toil. Now not one - i.e. not even Thomas -
of the disciples durst inquire of him - put to him the interrogatory - Who art
thou? knowing, eachone of them that it was the Lord. The use of ἐξετάσαι
instead of ἑρωτήσαι, John's own word, is not to be wondered at, as he does not
think of a simple inquiry, but of such an examination as would furnish them
with facts. These they possessed. A feeling of awe and reverence possessed
them. They were of one mind about the marvelous revelationof himself to
them. Some strange emotion sealedtheir lips. He had not manifestedhimself
to the world, but to his disciples, and to them by "the interpretations they
were putting upon their own experience" (Westcott). Theyknew it was the
Lord. They lookedinto that other world. They were lostin silent amaze, and
receivedthe revelationonce more of their risen Masterand Lord.
Vincent's Word Studies
Dine (ἀριστήσατε)
Rather, breakfast. In Attic Greek ἄριστονsignified the mid-day meal; the
evening meal being known as δεῖπνον. The regular hour for the ἄριστον
cannot be fixed with precision. The drift of authority among Greek writers
seems to be in favor of noon. The meal described here, however, evidently
took place at an earlierhour, and would seemto have answeredmore nearly
to the ἀκρατίσμα,orbreakfastof the Greeks, whichwas takendirectly upon
rising. Plutarch, however, expresslystates that both names were applied to the
morning meal, and says of Alexander, "He was accustomedto breakfast

(ἠρίστα) at early dawn, sitting, and to sup (ἐδείπνει) late in the evening." In
Matthew 22:4, it is an ἄριστον to which the king's wedding-guests are invited.
Ask (ἐξετα.σαι)
Rev., inquire. Implying careful and precise inquiry. It occurs only three times
in the New Testament;of Herod's command to searchdiligently for the infant
Christ (Matthew 2:8), and of the apostles'inquiring out the worthy members
of a household (Matthew 10:11).
END OF BIBLEHUB RESOURCES
James Nisbet's Church Pulpit Commentary
THE UNCHANGING CHRIST
‘Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine.’
John 21:12
Picture the disciples grouped round the glowing embers of a createdfire with
fish laid thereonand bread, the guests ofthe Lord of Creation. All the
elements had combined to produce that mysterious repast—earth, air, and
sea.
I. The words ‘Come and dine,’ show us the reality of our Lord’s risen Body.—
St. Thomas, by putting his finger into the very wound-prints, was satisfied
that it was the same Body; but these wonderful revelations of Himself, that
mysterious Presence—diffusedlike the odour of ointment poured forth and
discoveredat the same moment in divers places—made deepimpressions.
Was the Body a realBody? Touch and sight had been satisfied. There
remained this one actto prove the reality of His Spiritual Body. The invitation
‘Come and dine’ dispelled all further doubts on this point, and testified to the
reality of His Spiritual Presence. He ate with them—not eating as an old

English saint has it—‘as the earth drinks in moisture from want, but as the
sun imbibes the same from power,’ eating because He willed to do so, to
strengthen and confirm them in the faith, not from any necessitiesofHis
RisenBody.
II. The words ‘Come and dine’ show us the reality and sameness ofour Lord’s
love.—He had watchedtheir long fruitless night of toil, and He knew their
wants. He who had compassionon the multitudes on those same mountain
slopes has now compassiononthem. The same loving voice that uttered ‘Give
ye them to eat,’now says ‘Come and dine.’ Deathhad wrought no change in
the love of Jesus;what He was before, He is still.
III. ‘Come and dine,’ the words are still spoken, the earof faith hears the
invitation, the eye of faith still sees Him providing our daily bread, the heart
fanned by the breath of the Spirit is filled with Thanksgiving to the true Lord
of the Feast. Butwhat cowards we are at times! We feel all this, but we are
ashamedof our feelings. Forinstance, we say our ‘grace before meat’ at
home, but do we remember to do this at the hotel, or luncheon-room, or where
others are neglectful. Are you afraid of the opinion of the world? Heaven is
not easilywon, but it is worth the struggle. Do not be discouragedbecause of
the way, look forward to seeing Jesus standing on the morning of the
Resurrectioninviting you to the Feastpreparedby Himself: ‘Blessedare those
servants whom the Lord when He cometh shall find watching;verily I say
unto you, that He shall gird Himself and make them sit down to meat, and
shall come and serve them.’
—Rev. J. L. Spencer.
Illustration
‘The Greek word rendered “dine,” does not necessarilymean a midday meal.
Parkhurst shows, onthe contrary, from Xenophon, that it may mean a
morning repast. As things are in England now, the translation is a peculiarly
unfortunate one. Two or three centuries ago, when people dined at eleven
o’clock, the unfitness of it would not have been so remarkable. The meaning
evidently is, “Come and partake of a morning meal.”’

Sermon Bible Commentary
John 21:12
I. The Recognition. Three things contributed to it. (1) The love. Who, but One,
so busies Himself about His redeemed? (2) The wisdom. Who, but One, could
know or even dare to advise upon a matter to all appearance so casualand so
fortuitous? (3) The strength. The fish were not there till Christ spoke. He, the
Lord of creation, brought them to the net.
II. The entertainment. The recognitionhas brought together the Host and the
guests. So at His table Christ Himself is spiritually presentto receive, as well
as to communicate, that highestjoy, which is the interchange of conscious
feeling and trusted love; to partake of us, as we of Him—He making us fit to
give Him pleasure—He bringing the fish to our net—He preparing also the
fire and the bread, which we are to find ready for us on the shore.
III. The feeling. "None of the disciples durst ask Him, Who art Thou?
knowing that it was the Lord." Why should they ask, if they knew? Such
questioning would have been intrusive, would have been familiar, would have
been impertinent. They must wait for Him to speak now. So the feeling which
reigns around Christ's table should be a feeling of predominant reverence.
IV. The conversation. Let us learn from Christ's example what to commune
about with Jesus. (1) Who shall not begin with his sins? Who can doubt that
Peter's three denials were uppermost in his heart at this meal? (2) Ask the
Lord, in tokenof His forgiveness, to give you back your forfeited work for
Him. Ask Him to let you be at leastHis hired servant. (3) At that table you
cannot help forecasting yourfuture. Shadows ofthe long hereafter, even of
this life's hereafter, projectthemselves upon your path. They did so upon
Peter's. Talk to Christ of your future, of your life, of your end. Tellthat which
you fear; let Him converse on it with you at His own table, and you shall find
its worse sorrow healed, when He says to you in all, through all,
notwithstanding all, "Follow Me." (4) Peter, finally, had a thought for others.

He had a friend, a dear friend, dear also to Jesus Christ. Ask this night also
concerning your friend. He may bid you not ask. He may bid you leave in His
hands, your friend's future as your own, but He will not reprove you for
asking. Suchtopics are suitable for the soul's communing with its beloved.
C. J. Vaughan, Christian World Pulpit, vol. i., p. 33.
Expository Notes with PracticalObservations onthe New Testament
A two-fold reasonmay be assignedwhy Christ did at this time invite and call
his disciples to dine with him: the first and more principal reasonwas, to
evidence to them the reality of his resurrection, and to assure them of the
truth of his manhood, that they might not think it was an apparition only. By
the miracle in catching the fishes, he proved himself to be God; by his present
eating of the fish, he evidencedhimself to be man, and consequently teaches us
that our exaltedHigh Priest continues our kinsman in heaven. He is still bone
of our bone, and flesh of our flesh; he has takenpossessionofheavenin our
nature, sitting there in our glorified humaninty united to the glorious Deity,
clothed with that body which hung in its blood and gore upon the cross, but
now shining brighter than ten thousand suns. The secondand less principal
reasonwhy Christ calledhis disciples to dine with him, was this, to show his
tender care overthe bodies of his dear disciples, as being the tabernacles ofhis
own Spirit, the temples of the Holy Ghost; therefore Christ encourages,
though not to the pampering, yet to the refreshing of them: Jesus saidunto
them, Come and dine. And he would not conferwith them till they had dined;
as the next verse shows.
PeterPett's Commentary on the Bible
‘Jesus says to them, “come and break your fast.” An none of the disciples
dared to enquire of him, “Who are you?”, knowing that it was the Lord.’

The reference to ‘come an break your fast’ may well be a reminder to them of
Jesus words about them fasting in the day when He was snatchedawayfrom
them (Mark 2:20). But now that time was overand they could break their
fast, for their sorrow had been turned into joy (John 16:20).
This verse, takenwith the factthat others at first had difficulty recognising
him (the two on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:16), Mary Magdalene (John
20:14), must suggestthat the risen Jesus was not an exact replica of what He
had been like in His earthly form just prior to His death. This also helps to
explain why He had earliermade them look at the nail prints and the spear
wound. He wanted them to be sure of Who He was.
‘None of the disciples dared ask, “Who are you?” ’ While He had previously
appearedto them, and they were glad, they had still not gotused to the idea of
a resurrectedperson being with them. They knew it was the Lord but they
shied off from confirming it. Nor did they want to be rebuked for unbelief.
They waited for Him to reveal Himself.
This does bring out that there is now a gap recognisable betweenJesusand
His disciples. Previouslythey had been life companions, although as such
there had always been specialrespectgivento Him. Now, however, they were
aware that He was so much more than they had ever thought and this caused
some restraint. From now on, while they would enjoy closeness offellowship
with Him, it would be a fellowship of the Spirit, recognising that He was on
the divine side of reality.
Expository Notes ofDr. Thomas Constable
Jesus, as the host, invited the disciples to dine with Him. Perhaps He was
reminding them of their last meal togetherin the upper room just before His
arrest. In the ancient NearEasta host who extended hospitality to others and
provided food for them was implying that He would defend them from then

on. Consequently Jesus" invitation may have been a promise of commitment
to them like the oriental covenantmeal. Such a meal involved acceptance,
forgiveness, andmutual commitment. By accepting His invitation the disciples
were implying that they were committing themselves to Jesus afresh.
"Three "invitations" stand out in John"s Gospel:"Come and see" ( John
1:39); "Come and drink" ( John 7:37); and "Come and dine" ( John 21:12).
How loving of Jesus to feed Peterbefore He dealt with his spiritual needs. He
gave Peteropportunity to dry off, get warm, satisfyhis hunger, and enjoy
personalfellowship. This is a goodexample for us to follow as we care for
God"s people. Certainly the spiritual is more important than the physical, but
caring for the physical canprepare the way for spiritual ministry. Our Lord
does not so emphasize "the soul" that He neglects the body." [Note:Wiersbe,
1:397.]
Apparently these disciples longed to ask Jesus if the personstanding with
them was truly Hebrews , but they did not dare do so. This tensionwithin
them helps us understand that Jesus" resurrectionwas a challenge to the faith
of even those who knew Him best. Had the beatings and His crucifixion so
marred His form that He scarcelyresembledthe Jesus they had known, or
was His resurrection body so different? Probably we shall have to waitto see
Him for ourselves to get answers to these questions. In spite of everything, the
disciples could only conclude that the One who stoodamong them really was
Jesus.
Why Did the Risen Jesus CookBreakfastforthe Disciples?
by Fr. Chris Singer
RelatedTopics:Married Life, Pope St. John Paul II, Scripture, Self-Gift,
TheologyOf The Body

I love food. My parents tell me that, as a little child, I was a mostly calm,
happy-go-lucky kid—unless I was hungry. Then I turned into a monster. But
once I found something to eat—serenityreturned. Some of my family
members say that little has changedwith me in the many intervening years!I
grew up working in my family’s food business. Stories about food get my
attention.
Thus I’m a fan of the resurrectionstories. They often involve food. In Luke,
the risen Jesus walks unrecognizedwith two of his disciples. It was only after
they arrived at the village of Emmaus, and Jesus broke the bread at the
dinner table, that they finally recognizedhim. The story continues with Jesus
appearing to a group of disciples and asking them, “Do you have anything to
eat here?” Theygave him a piece of baked fish. (Luke 24:13-48)Thenthere is
the scene with Peterand other disciples after a long day of fishing. They see
the risen Lord calling them from the shore. When they arrive, they find that
he has cookeda breakfastofbread and fish for them and invites them to
“Come, have breakfast.” (John21:1-14)I’ll bet there were some eggs and
pancakes onthe side too!
All this talk about food makes me hungry. But it also makes me wonder why
Jesus put such emphasis on eating. Maybe he was just hungry. Jesus did some
other curious things right after the resurrection: like breathing on his
disciples and inviting Thomas to actually touch his nail wounds and feel the
swordgashin his side. Jesus seems to be going out of his way to assure his
friends that it was really he who was present; not a ghost or vision. It was he,
fully alive and in the flesh.
“‘The flesh is the hinge of salvation.’We believe in God who is creatorof the
flesh; we believe in the Word made flesh in order to redeem the flesh; we
believe in the resurrection of the flesh, the fulfilment of both the creationand
the redemption of the flesh.” (Catechismof the Catholic Church n. 1015.)
These resurrectionscenesdrive home to us the importance of the flesh, that is,
the human body. For Jesus, his physical body wasn’t just something that he
“wore” while on earth, but part of his very being. And for us, our bodies are
not something solely for this life which we forever discard at the time of death.

As human beings, we are a beautifully mysterious combination of body and
spirit. Just as in the Ascension, Jesus took his resurrectedbody with him back
to the Father, we, too, at the end of time, will receive back our glorified body
for entrance into heaven. The body is a profoundly goodpart of how God
createdus. The body is holy—thus what we do with our bodies really matters.
The newly canonized Saint John Paul II spent many years of his life reflecting
on the meaning of the body. Drawing from the Bible and theology, he
composeda work calledthe Theologyofthe Body. He explains that it is
through the body, and the experiences ofthe body, that we most completely
come to know ourselves and God. St. John Paul II makes this bold assertion:
“The body, in fact, and it alone, is capable of making visible what is invisible:
the spiritual and divine.” (Feb. 20, 1980)
Over these next few months, I invite you to join me in exploring how our
bodies help us to better understand ourselves, and the God who made us.
In May, spring takes hold and our senses are heightened. Our senses, working
through our body, allow us to feel a warm breeze, enjoy a sunset, listen to
music, share a handshake and give a hug. They also allow us to enjoy a burger
off the backyardgrill. And that makes someone like me quite happy about the
Theologyof the Body!
About the author
Fr. Chris Singer is chancellorof the Diocese ofErie and presented a lecture
series on the Theologyof the Body in the Fall of 2014. Reprinted with
permission from FAITH magazine in the DioceseofErie (Last Word column).
Jesus, the MasterChef (John 11:1-44)

When we read John 11:1-44, we typically focus on Jesus raising Lazarus from
the dead. Sometimes we focus on Jesus'compassion, but we usually can't take
our eyes of the stinky dead-man wrapped in cloth. But there's something
more profound going on here. The clue is found in verses 4, 5-6, 14-15, 21, 32,
and 40. Let me summarize:
4 - Jesus learns that Lazarus is sick but says he will not die but that it "is for
the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it."
5-6 - When Martha and Mary sent for Jesus to come and heal Lazarus, Jesus
"stayedtwo days longerin the place where he was" becausehe love them.
14-15 - Jesus said, "Lazarus has died, and for your sake I am glad that I was
not there, so that you may believe."
21 - Martha said to Jesus, "Jesus, Lordyou had been here, my brother would
not have died."
32 - Mary said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not
have died."
40 - Martha argued with Jesus aboutrolling the stone from the tomb and
Jesus replies, "Die I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of
God?"
This week’s study is one that most people refuse to believe. Yes, Jesus rose
Lazarus from the dead, but that’s not what an unbelieving world struggles
with. Those in the world (and even some who call themselves ‘Christian’ fail
to believe that Jesus’ways are better than our ways.
Jesus'timing is usually difficult for us to understand, but his timing has a
purpose. His ways are not often what we would prefer, but his methods are
just as divine as he is. A bakerputs a cake in an oven at 350 degrees for35
minutes. As a kid I often wonderedwhy a baker wouldn't crank it up to 700
and geta cake in half the time. (If you don't know why this doesn'twork, I
suggestyou give it a try. . . but be sure to have a fire extinguisher near by.)
We want our problems solvedright now. We love the microwave. It works
fast but you won't often find one in a top chef's kitchen. While it is not always

the case,Jesus typicallylikes to cook with marinades. He's a masterchef who
likes things to simmer for a long while. Smokedbriskettakes a really long
time, but cooking it any differently makes for terrible BBQ. Our microwave
methods don't make goodfood, and trying to do things in our timing rather
than God's is evenworse.
While we want the microwave, Jesus usesmarinade. And the most difficult
part is knowing that there's a goodreasonfor Jesus'timing.
As you discuss this text with your family, Bible study, or FellowshipGroup,
here are some questions to consider:
1. Have you ever had a need and it felt like Jesus took longerthan you would
have preferred to meet that need? How did that go? How did you feel?
2. What are you praying for right now? Is your timing the same as Jesus’
timing?
3. Have you ever been tempted to say to Jesus, “If only you would have been
here. . . “only to see him work in ways that were better than you expected?
What did you learn from that?
4. Has there ever been a time when Jesus told you to do something and you
argued with him (i.e., “But Jesus, Lazarus has been dead and he’ll stink.”)?
Why did you argue?
5. In what areas of your life do you want Jesus to work fasterthan he is?
What are you learning because ofJesus’timing? In what ways do you think
Jesus timing will help you believe and see God’s glory?
For the Kingdom!
PastorBryan
http://www.redeeminglifeutah.org/news/2017/3/19/jesus-the-master-chef-john-
111-44

"BreakfastWith Jesus"
Contributed by Kenneth Saueron Apr 14, 2010
based on 9 ratings
(rate this sermon)
| 4,029 views
Scripture: John 21:1-19
Denomination: United Methodist
Summary: Simon Peterfelt like a failure. On the last night of Jesus’life on
earth, Petermade an impossible commitment: “I will never run awayand
leave you.” But only hours later, Petershouted, “I told you, I don’t even know
him. Leave me alone!” Now, Christ h
1 2 3
Next
John 21:1-19
“Breakfastwith Jesus”
by: Ken Sauer, PastorofEast Ridge United Methodist Church, Chattanooga,
TN
Simon Peterfelt like a failure.
On the last night of Jesus’life on earth, Peter made an impossible
commitment: “I will never run away and leave you.”

But only hours later, Petershouted, “I told you, I don’t even know him. Leave
me alone!”
Now, Christ had died, Christ had risen, but Peterunderstood none of this.
He was literally at the end of his rope.
What had the last3 years been about anyway?
Imagine one of those scenes that, in a few short weeks, willbe duplicated all
over the United States.
Imagine a brilliant, sunny day in late spring.
Outdoors on a university football field, or maybe in a high schoolgym…
…folding chairs will be setup, row upon row.
Proud parents and family members will be stretching their necks to see.
Downfront, will be the squirming graduates, in caps and gowns.
They will look like the very picture of scholarship.
Suddenly feeling self-conscious, the grinning graduates will march across the
platform, receive their diplomas and return to sit with the rest of their
classmates…
…these specialpeople they’ve felt so close to, most of whom they will never see
again.
At the punch bowl receptiona few minutes later someone will walk up to the
graduate and say, “congratulations!”
Then, suddenly, with tear filled eyes, they may say, “You know, you may not
realize it now, but these years you’ve just completed are the best years of your
life!”
The persondoesn’t mean it to come across this way, but these are among the
deadliestwords one human being can say to another.

It’s like saying, “You may think you’re at the threshold of something new, but
don’t fool yourself, kid, it’s all downhill from here.” (adapted from Carlos
Wilton)
Petermay have been feeling something similar when, in our Scripture Lesson
for this morning, he tells the other disciples, “I’m going out to fish.”
What a wild ride it had been, but that was in the past.
What was there to look forward to?
The best years were behind him.
What was there to do now, but to go back to his old life?
Perhaps in the back of his mind, he knew that one day, holding a grandchild
on his knee, he would say with a wink, “Did I ever tell you about the time
Jesus invited me, a fisherman, to follow Him?”
Video Illustration of the Week
Get weeklyvideos including full access to all illustrations, sermons, and
church media.
Free With PRO →
And then, a little voice would pipe up, “Oh, Granddad, you’ve only told me
100 times!!!”
But, thanks be to God, that wasn’t the way Peter’s life would unfold!!!
For with God, there is no sad ending…
…only fresh new adventures, beginnings, and calls for ministry!!!
The Christian life is anything, but boring or finished, ever!!!
It only gets better and better and better!!!
In our GospelLessonPeterand six of the other disciples fish all night, but
nothing is caught in their nets.

It’s interesting that the disciples, professionalfishermenwho probably could
have had their own fishing show, had it been the 21stCentury, never catch a
single fish without Jesus.
Not a perch.
Not a minnow.
Not a guppy!!!
Then, when morning comes some guy on the beach calls out to them,
“Friends, haven’t you any fish?’”
“No,’they answered.”
“He said, ‘Throw your net on the other side of the boatand you will find
some.’”
And, “Whenthey did, they were unable to haul the net in because ofthe large
number of fish.”
… “but even with so many the net was not torn.”
The disciples’net is symbolic of the Church.
“…the net was not torn…”
This gives us a glimpse of how successfulwe, as Christian disciples, canbe…
…This indicates what can happen if all of us individually and corporately
would fish as Jesus directs!
Are we fishing as God directs?
If so, we will catchfish!!!
EastRidge United Methodist Church will grow…
…and much, much more importantly…
…people will come to know God!!!
Our journey and our calling is always just beginning!!!

And as we mature in our faith, our responsibilities grow!!!
When Peter and the other disciples had finished eating their breakfastwith
Jesus…
…Jesus takesSimon Peteraway, I would imagine…
…awayfrom the others, for as we see in verse 20, “Peterturned and saw that
the disciple whom Jesus lovedwas following them.”
They are probably walking slowly along the shore.
And Jesus asksthe question that goes to the heart of everything: “do you love
me?”
And the question is askedand answeredthree times.
And what eachquestion gets in return is not a pat on the back, not a “There,
there that’s alright then,” but a command.
A fresh new challenge!!!
A new commission.
It’s time to learn to be a shepherd.
It’s time to feed lambs and sheep, to look after them.
Jesus is trusting Peterbig time!!!
For Jesus is sharing His ownwork, His own ministry, with Peter.
Peterloved Jesus, and in gracious forgiveness,Jesusgave Peterthe chance to
wipe out the memory of the threefold denial by a threefold declarationof
love!!!
And Jesus does the same for us, every moment of every day!!!
Do you know this?
Do you know how much God loves you?
And have you acceptedGod’s love and forgiveness foryourself…for real?

In college I knew a woman, who was in one of my classes,and whom I had
invited to a Bible study…
…and she started to come.
She was older than most of the rest of the students, probably in her fifties or
so.
And this lady had had a tough life.
She had been raisedby a father for whom nothing she could do was good
enough.
And as an adult, she had been in a number of abusive relationships…
…relationships where the men had somehow beenable to convince her that
whateverhad gone wrong…
…well, it was her fault…
…she wasn’t goodenough.
So when I met up with her on campus one sunny afternoonand a conversation
ensued…
…about God…
…about Jesus…
…about salvation…
…about heaven…
…this woman surprised me by saying, “Heavenwill be a wonderful place, but
I won’t be there. I am not goodenough.”
She believed in and even loved Jesus.
But the thought of herself being in heaven…
…well, that was too big a leap for her.
We had a long conversationthat day.

And it was a long time ago, so I don’t remember it too terribly well…
…but what I do remember is when the light switch finally came on…
Pastor, have you claimed your 14 day PRO trial?
Enter your name and email to begin. Credit card required, cancelany time.
Plus, getemail updates & offers from SermonCentral. Privacy
…and this beaten down, defeated, and self-loathing woman began to beam
with faith and new assurance, “Do youmean to saythat I will actually be
there…
…even me? I will be with Jesus?”
Simon Peterhad denied even knowing the Lord he loved in Jesus’time of
greatestsacrifice.
Peterfelt he had failed God.
Jesus saidto Simon Peterand Jesus says to us, “Go aheadand throw all that
old baggageoffthe train!”
“I love you and you love Me, and I know it!”
“You are forgiven!”
Get over it and on with it.”
“Feedmy lambs, take care of my sheep, feedmy sheep.”
“It’s hard work. It will take all your efforts for the restof your life.
You are really going to go through it.
The world will hate you because ofit.
You will die for the cause of it, but you love Me and you can’t just fish for fish
anymore.
I have given you a calling which will never fade away.

Follow me!”
I remember sitting in a restaurant with an old high schoolbuddy, when he
said to me, “Ken, if I had known that high schoolwould have been the best
years of my life, I would have enjoyed them more.”
EastRidge United Methodist Church, the bestyears are not behind-they are
ahead!!!
God has calledus to be a part of the greatestjourneyimaginable!!!
May we never take it for granted, nor pass up the opportunity to be part of
God’s BIG PLAN for you, for me, for all those men, women and children who
surround this place of worship, but do not yet know what it means to be loved
unconditionally and to be forgiven!!!
We have all failed many times.
Although you may not remember, you fell down the first time you tried to
walk.
And did you hit the ball the first time you swung a bat?
Probably not.
But the heavy hitters, the ones with the most home runs, also strike out a lot.
So fish for people.
Invite them to come worship with you where you will take part in loving them,
feeding them, taking care of them…
And some day in the future, we’ll be in heaven together;staying at that
mansion that somehow is large enoughto accommodateeveryone.
Pastor, have you claimed your 14 day PRO trial?
Enter your name and email to begin. Credit card required, cancelany time.
Plus, getemail updates & offers from SermonCentral. Privacy

And perhaps,
…some of us will be gathered on the porch at first light, sipping coffee.
And others will be squinting toward something, Someone.
For there will be a Man in the distance, and He’s waving and preparing a
meal.
When that happens, no one will have to tell us.
We’ll just know it is the Lord!!!
And what a day of rejoicing that will be!!!
Amen.
Volume 35 1
BREAKFAST WITH JESUS NO. 2072
A SERMON DELIVERED ON LORD’S DAY MORNING, FEBRUARY24,
1889, BYC. H. SPURGEON,AT THE METROPOLITAN TABERNACLE,
NEWINGTON.
“Jesus saithunto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask
him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.”
Or, as we have it in the RevisedVersion,

“Jesus saithunto them, Come and break your fast. And none of the disciples
durst enquire of him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.” John
21:12.
THE Lord Jesus is thoughtful of bodily wants. In His earlier days He fed
multitudes of people, on two grand occasions, with bread and fish. And now
that He has died and risen from the dead, and is in the body of His glory, He
still thinks of the hungering bodies of men, and calls to the fishermen,
“Children, have ye any meat?” Finding that they have nothing, He makes a
breakfastfor them. “Come and break your fast” falls very condescendingly
from His lips and it proves to us how He cares forthe temporal needs of the
poor. Here is warrant for the servants of God endeavoring to feed the hungry
crowd. We are not to buy them with so-calledcharities, for that our Lord
never did. Loaves and fishes are a very poor spiritual bait and catchnone of
the right sortof fish. The feeding must come because they need it, and for the
love of God, and with no ulterior aim. As the Savior fed the people, so,
according to our ability, we may attempt to do, without fear that we shall
therein be going beyond our legitimate province. Our Lord and Saviorwas
particularly mindful in this case ofthe wants of His own people. These seven
apostles were supplied by His care. If any of you are in needy and trying
circumstances, catchatthis factand be encouraged. He that said to the seven,
“Come and break your fast,” will not forgetyou in the time of your need. On
your part, now is the time for the exercise offaith. And on His part, now is the
seasonforthe display of His power. If you look to your fellow men perhaps
they may fail to help you— they are far too apt to give the cold shoulder to
those who are not well-to-do. But if you look to Him, you shall have your
prayer answered.
“In some way or other the Lord will provide.”

I cannot tell how, any more than I can tell you how our Lord lighted that fire
of coals, orhow He procured the fish which was broiling on the fire. But there
was the fire and there was the fish. And so, in the Lord’s own way, it shall be
seenthat the Lord will provide. “Trustin the LORD and do good;so shalt
thou dwell in the land and verily thou shalt be fed.” He that taught you to say,
“Give us this day our daily bread” did not teachyou an empty phrase. O you
whose needpresses so closelyas evento make you acquainted with hunger,
behold how Jesus pities you, and look to Him to aid you. For He is the same
now as He was by the lake of Galilee. Go a step further. As Jesus is so careful
of the condition of His people that He will have their bodies fed, we may be
sure that He will have their souls nourished. I said to myself, as I considered
my return among you, “The first thing we will do when I get home shall be to
feed the servants of God, that they
Breakfastwith Jesus Sermon#2072
Volume 35
2
2
may be in good working order.” Our Lord beganthis third manifestation of
Himself, not with prayer, but with provender. Much had to be said and done,
but they must breakfastfirst. Theywere to be questioned, rebuked,
instructed, commissioned, warned, but they must first be fed. The essential
thing that morning was a fire of coals and broiled fish and bread, for they
must be put into goodcondition, and then they would be ready to hear what
their Lord should sayto them. Things that were of prime importance must yet
be kept back a little while, until they could bear them and profit by them, and
that they could not do while they were cold and hungry. Hence fire and food.
Now, if it was so with the body, how much more is it so with the soul? I want
you, therefore, this morning, to ask the Lord to spreada table for you in the
wilderness. Mayyour song at this time be—

“The Lord’s my Shepherd, I’ll not want, He makes me down to lie In
pastures green; He leadeth me The quiet waters by.”
Many things callfor your earnestattention, but it will be poor haste if you
rush to work without refreshing the inner man. Pause a while and feastwith
your Lord in order that you may be able to attend to your pressing duties. If
you had a tree to fell, you would count it no loss of time first to sharpen your
axe. When the axe is sharp, then the tree will come down all the sooner—
sharpen, therefore, the axe of your mind. This morning have nothing to do but
to attend to the feeding of your soul. The Lord’s first miracle was at a
wedding feast, and in the miracle now before us He provides a breakfast. His
is no starveling Gospel, He gives us all things richly to enjoy. Hear His cry, in
the ancientSong of Songs—“Eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O
beloved.” Dearchild of God believe and doubt not. Should a choice morsel
come your way, partake of it with a believing confidence. I. First, I shall invite
you TO SEE THE IMPORTANCE OF A FEAST WITH JESUS. Jesus says
to you, “Come and break your fast.” And His words are never without the
deepestmeaning. See the importance of a meal with Jesus. It was peculiarly
needful to these men because they were in a needy condition. They were wet,
cold, and hungry. A fire of coals was a fine center for them, whereatthey
could dry their jerseys and warm their hands. The fish, fresh from the sea and
from the fire, was most suitable for their hunger. Before them Jesus spreads
the old food with which He always fed the people—foodpleasantand easyto
digest. Bread, with a relish of fish, was the constantmenu of all our Lord’s
feasts. Jesusdoes not like to see His servants wet, and cold, and hungry. And
so He provides for the removal of these discomforts. Depend upon it, what
Jesus does not like to see is not goodfor us. It is not well for us to be unhappy.
If, therefore, you feelthis morning, in your inmost souls, uncomfortable and
much out of sorts, your Lord does not wish you to be so. The thoughts of your
own misery will hinder your thoughts of Him and prevent your rendering
Him goodservice. My Masterbids me, this morning, to see to it that all hands
are provided with goodcheer. Gladly, therefore, do I invite you to the fire of
coals whichis furnished by His glowing love. Cheerfully do I setbefore you
the holy food of sacredtruth furnished by His Word, and I would thus fulfill

His command to me, “Feedmy sheep.” It is important, dear child of God, that
you should be happy. It is important that you should be in a flourishing
spiritual condition within. Therefore, come and break your fast with Jesus.
Many a battle has been lost because the soldiers were not in goodfettle for the
fight. Let it not be so with you. You need stamina if you are to do hard and
long work for Jesus and His truth, and there is no keeping up the stamina
without heavenly food. It is important, considering the condition of many of
you, that you should have a meal with Jesus atonce. Besides, they were weary
with a night’s fruitless toil. As I told you in reading, it was “night” and
“nothing” while Jesus was away. Have I not before me some servants of God
who have not seenany goodfollowing their exertions of late? They have fished
for men but the nets have remained empty. It is
Sermon #2072 Breakfastwith Jesus
Volume 35
3
3
dreary work, toiling all night and taking nothing. I know this, because I know
still better the reverse of it. Oh, it is a blessedthing to have a successfulseason
by the little river of retirement, when one is awayfrom the great sea ofthe
city! In my late seclusionit has seemedto me that the fish kept coming up to
my line and biting at my hook, though I had not of purpose baited it for any!
The Lord sent me persons to receive a blessing and they had a quiet word, and
went on their way rejoicing. Alas! it is not always so. You may have a
widespreadnet castinto the greatsea and no end of fishes all around you, and
yet you may take nothing—that night’s work yielded nothing but splashand
haul, disappointment and fatigue. If you are in that condition, you evidently
need encouragement. Times ofrefreshing from the presence ofthe Lord will
be your present want. The Saviorcalls to you, “Come and breakfast. Leave
the boat and the nets and forget the night’s vain toil and come and commune
with Me.” Wearyworker, worriedand weeping, ceaseyour complaining, and
come to the fire and the food which Jesus provides for you. You will remind
me that before the breakfastthe disciples had taken a greatnumber of fish

and had counted them. Just so, and that is another reasonfor calling them to
feastwith Jesus. Catching fish is a fine business, but being fed is equally
needful. No fisherman canlive on catching and counting. It is a very deceptive
thing for a man to sustain his faith upon the successofhis labors. Our
tendency in a revival is to rejoice over converts, and count them “a hundred
and fifty and three.” It is not wrong to count your converts if Christ gives
them to you—the awkwardpart of it is that you are apt to count in with the
fish a number of frogs—Imean a sort of convert that Jesus neversent. You
may, if you please, count every convert and say, “a hundred and fifty and
three,” but do not think that this will nourish your own soul. You cannot
sustain the life of grace upon the grace receivedby others. Believe me, you
must in secretdraw from the divine storehouse your personalsupplies, or you
will be famished. You will find it very hungry work if you try to live on
catching and counting! You must be yourself watered, or your watering of
others will dry up your soul. The most successfulevangelist, ifhe attempts to
live on his ownwork, will suck up the wind. If a teacherof children, or a
conductor of young men’s classes makesthe food of his soul to be his success
in the service of God, he will feed on ashes. O you that have had grand times
in preaching or teaching, do not be content with these!Grace for your office is
one thing—grace for yourselves is another. It is well to catchfish, but even
that would be sorry work if you perished with hunger yourselves. Again, dear
friends, I think it was a very necessarything that they should break their fast,
for the Lord Jesus Christ was going to searchtheir hearts. “When they had
dined”—notice that, not till then— Jesus questionedPeter. When they had
breakfasted, “Jesus saith, Simon, son of Jonas, lovestthou me?” “Whenthey
had breakfasted,”notbefore. He would not deal with Peter, or any of them,
while they had empty stomachs. I beg you to feed well this morning, because
you will have to be overhauled before long, and it will be well to have heart to
bear it. Truth will be preached to you another day which will blow quite
through you, like a mighty wind—truth which will burn as an oven and like a
refiner’s fire. Get yourself in goodorder for cross-examination. Prepare your
soul for the hour of trial when the business of the hour will be to answerthe
question, “Simon, son of Jonas, lovestthou me?” Ah, dear friends! if heart-
searching trials come upon us when we are lean and famished, they pull us
down dreadfully, for we are out of condition, but the same measure of heart-

searching administered to us when soundly nourished by communion with
Christ, will do us much good. “Thoughcares like a wild deluge come, And
storms of sorrow fall; When I have fed with Christ at home, My soul defies
them all.”
Volume 35
4
4
He that is right with God can bear to be questioned. He that is nourished and
built up with heavenly food canbear to examine the grounds of his faith and
to test the foundations of his hope. Such a man can face the enquiry— “Do I
love the Lord or no? Am I His, or am I not?”
So, therefore, because heart-searching times will come before long, I entreat
you to comfort your souls with a morsel of bread. Remember, also, that they
were about to receive a commission—theywere to be told to feed Christ’s
lambs and sheep. But I think I hear you say, “Thatcommission, like the
examination, was directed to Peter.” I know it. But I am also sure that when
the Lord said to Peter, “Lovestthou me?” the question went home to them all.
What the Lord said to Peterespecially, He was saying to them all, in truth.
Have you never felt, when a word of warning has been addressedto your
friend, that it was even more applicable to yourself than to him? An indirect
admonition is, to some natures, more powerful than one personallydirected.
Nathanael, Thomas, James,John, and the others were quite as truly
addressedby the Savioras “Simon, son of Jonas.” The arrow shot at Simon
was not lost upon the sons of Zebedee. Certainly they were all of them to feed
the lambs and pastorize the sheep, and the commissionwhich was given
distinctly to Peterwas meant for all the Lord’s servants. See, then, the
necessityfor their breaking their fast. If they are to feed others, they must be

fed themselves. “The husbandman that laboreth must be first partakerof the
fruits.” He that waters others must be himself watered. “Theymade me the
keeperof the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept,” was a very
sorrowfullament, and the Lord would not have His people imitate it. Jesus
was going to give them a blessedwork to do, and therefore He would put them
into working order before He allotted it to them. O brothers and sisters, it
may seema very small thing for you to feed your own selves, but it is not so. I
would have you strong yourselves, that you may labor for others. You cannot
be made a blessing to those around you till you are blest yourselves. Your
usefulness largelydepends upon your personaljoy—“The joy of the LORD is
your strength.” Once more, our Lord was going to give to one of them a
warning and by that one to hint much the same heritage of trials to the others.
“Another shall gird thee and carry thee whither thou wouldestnot.”
Crucifixion awaitedPeter, and a martyr’s death in some form awaitedall
those who were present, exceptJohn. This the Masterlets them know, but He
does not mention it till they have dined. Do not reckonupon an easyjourney
betweenhere and heaven. If you do, you will be mistaken, for “in the world ye
shall have tribulation.” If the Lord loves you, He will chastenyou—it is the
covenantmark. Marvel not when you fall into manifold trials, but rather
rejoice in this, that you have evidence herein that your Father has not
forgottenyou, but is still training you for His heaven. But while we give you
that warning, we invite you to come and feed on heavenly bread, and refresh
your souls with those spiritual luxuries whereby men are made ready for
labor and suffering. “Eatye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself
in fatness,” that you may be prepared to do that which is goodand delight
yourself in sacrifice. It is no trifling matter, therefore, when I sayto you, in
the words of the Old Version, “Come and dine,” or in the more exactphrase
of the Revision, “Come and break your fast.” Thus much for the importance
of the matter. II. Secondly, I want you to SEE JESUS HIMSELF ACTING AS
YOUR HOST. It was Jesus who cried to them, “Children, have you any
meat?” It was He that said, “Bring of the fish which ye have now caught.” It is
He that gives the invitation, “Come and break your fast.” Jesus is Masterof
the feast.

Volume 35
5
5
He condescends to the feast. Is it not wonderful that the Holy Lord should
have communion with His faulty followers? YetHe will breakfastwith us—
with us who doubted Him, as Thomas did. With us who denied Him, as Peter
did. With us who forsook Him and fled, as all the rest did. He, always sinless,
was now without physical necessities.He had risen from the dead and He did
not need to eat, yet did He still have familiar fellowship with sinful man. On
one occasionHe ate a piece of a broiled fish and of a honeycomb. And I
suppose that on this occasionHe also ate with them. Forone does not ask
others to come and dine, and then Himself refrain from eating. He communed
with them by that bread and by that fish. It was wonderful condescension. But
will the Lord still come and commune with us? Will He, “without whom was
not anything made that was made,” have fellowship with a sinful mortal like
me? Take comfort, you who are conscious ofsin, from the fact that His last
near companion here below was a thief, and the first that passedthe pearly
portal with Him and entered into His kingdom was that self-same justly
executedone. Come along with you, you child of God, conscious ofyour gross
unworthiness—come, forHe invites you now to feastwith Himself. This shall
be your nourishment, not only the food which He prepares for you, as His own
company. Notice that Jesus, as the host, prepared the feast. We shall never
know how that fire of coals was kindled—some speakconfidently of it as the
work of angels. But why introduce angels where they are not needed? They
can kindle fires, doubtless—but so can the Savior without their aid. There was
the fire of coals and there was the fish laid thereon. Where did He getthe fish?
All sorts of idle speculations have been raisedabout His having bought it from
a passing boat. There is no need of such inventions. Doubtless both fire and
fish were the products of creative power. We have before us one of those
miracles which were commonplace to the Savior. He spoke, andthere was the
fire and the fish laid thereon, and a crisp cake hotfrom the coals. Dear
friends, your soul can never feed except upon what Jesus has prepared for
you. His flesh is meat indeed. But there is no other meat for souls. He has not

to kindle a fire for your comfort—it is burning now—it has been kindled long
ago. There was never a morselof manna in the mouth of any child of God but
the Word of the Lord supplied it. There was never food yet for a true heart
but what it came from Him who is our life, and the food of our life. “How can
this man give us his flesh to eat?” saidthey of old—but that is exactly what He
does. All that He gives to us of spiritual nourishment is of His own preparing.
What is equally wonderful to me is this—afterthe Lord had prepared it, He
Himself was the waiter at the feast. Readverse thirteen—“Jesusthen comes
and takes the bread, and gives them, and fish likewise.”Whenthere are seven
at table, a host might well be justified in saying, “Dearfriends, you are
welcome to all that is before you, pray help yourselves.” But we cannot help
ourselves—He who prepares the feastmust also bring the food to us. “Jesus
then comes and takes the bread, and gives them, and fish likewise.”Only one
serving man, and that the Lord Himself! O Master, we know there is good
spiritual food in Your Word, but we are not able to appropriate it. Come You
and Yourself lay home the promise to the heart. You know what a way our
Lord has of making us to lie down in green pastures—wedo not even lie down
of ourselves. He places the nourishing Word in the heart. Rememberthat
passagein Hosea, which stands in the original, “Behold, I will allure her and
bring her into the wilderness, and speak to her heart.” I canspeak to your
ear, but Jesus speaksto the heart. The Lord Jesus, by the work of the Holy
Spirit, has a wayof conveying the heavenly food into us, that we do receive
and inwardly digestit, and it then enters into the secretpart of the soul and is
assimilated, and we are truly built up thereby. I pray that the Holy Ghostmay
thus work at this time. See your host. It is the Lord Himself who lovingly
condescends to commune with you, and in a wonderful way prepares the feast,
and with boundless condescensionHimself helps you to it. All the while He
was doing this He showedHimself. “This is now the third time that Jesus
showedhimself to his disciples.” The chapter opens by saying, “And on this
wise showedhe himself.” When the
Volume 35
6

6
Lord was handing out that bread He was showing Himself and they could see
Him in that act. And when He brought them the fish to eat, they saw Him
revealedas the very Christ. They saw more of Him in giving the bread and the
fish than they would have seenif He had stood still to be gazedupon. Jesus
feeding us is Jesus revealed. If He had stretchedout His hand for them to
examine the nail-prints, they would not have seenHim so well as when that
hand gave them food. Oh, if the Lord Jesus will come to you individually, as I
pray He may, and bring you heavenly food this morning, you will see Him—
see Him with eyes full of tears. Are there not times with you when divine truth
comes home to you in such a sweet, comforting, nourishing way that you have
said, “It is the Lord. He is Himself the sum and substance of His own blessed
Gospel. He has Himself brought me into His banqueting house and His banner
over me is His own love”? A vision of Christ is the most filling thing in the
world. If we may but see Him in glory, that shall be the heavenof heaven. If I
were the dying thief, I would be happy to die with Him side by side on the
cross, and count it bliss to be with Him there. But what must it be to pass
through the pearly gate with Him, and to be with Him in His kingdom, as that
same dying thief was!This is your morning’s portion—do not miss it. “He
showedhimself.” Is it weeks since youhave seenyour Lord? Oh! then, heave a
greatsigh and say, “Lord, show Yourself to me.” Is it days since you have had
actualfellowship with Jesus? Oh, that your heart might break after Him now!
Do not be satisfiedto let this morning’s sitting break up without your having
seenthe Lord—everyone of you who are His true disciples. O dear friends,
you that hear about Christ and just let it glide by—what are you worth? What
sort of Christians are those who do not know the vitals of Christianity, the
secretenjoyments of rapturous love? Outside, in merely external religion,
everything is cold and dreary, and I do not wonder at people getting wearyof
it and giving it up. The glory lies within the veil. We must see Jesus. Ourhome
is where Godreveals Himself to His people. Little drops of religion are poor
things. Oh, for Madame Guyon’s torrents! Oh, that the sacredtorrent would
bear us away! That mighty river, not the river Kishon, but what if I callit
Kedron?—the Kedron of His suffering love, which is a torrent indeed! Oh, to
be borne along by the stream of free grace and dying love, until one is

conscious ofnearing the unfathomable depths of love unsearchable!Thus
much about our host. Mine is a poor talk. God grant that, by the teaching of
the Holy Spirit, you may get far beyond me and see Him, whom having not
seenwe love! III. Now, SEE THE PROVISION. I have tried to beckonyou
into the feastand I have also tried to point out our host. Now, attentively
regard the provisions. There are two parts. First, there was what He had
mysteriously prepared—the fish laid upon the coals, and secondly, what He
had graciouslygiven, for He said, “Bring of the fish which ye have now
caught.” It was the same sort of fish, no doubt, but it came in two ways. First,
let us note the mysteriously prepared provision. See the fish which is broiling
on the coals!Mysterious fish! Mysterious coals!Feed now with all your hearts
upon the mystery of everlasting love. “I have loved you with an everlasting
love.” Feedon the mystery of the covenantof grace, when, on your behalf, the
blessedSon of God stoodSponsorand Surety before the greatFather and the
Father covenantedfor His Son’s sake to bless His chosen. Oh, the mystery of
the eternalgift of the electto Jesus and the gift of Jesus to His elect! Before
the world beganall this was provided for our need. Cannot you feed on this?
Think, next, of the kinship of Christ to you. He came to Bethlehemthat He
might take our nature. He lay an infant on a woman’s breast. He was cradled
as a Child. He abode here a suffering, waywornman. Was not that a beautiful
verse we sang just now, which began—
“Jesus, ourKinsman and our God, Arrayed in majesty and blood Thou art
our life, our souls in Thee Possessa full felicity”?
Volume 35
7
7
Yes, He is brother to you—of your nature, of your flesh, and of your bones—
your Goel, next of kin, sworn to redeem you, and even espousedto you. Jesus
is brother to you who are in adversity. Feedon that. Here is another fish of

the kind found only in the sea ofmysterious love—I point you to His effectual
atonement. He has finished His lifework for you and poured forth the price of
your redemption—minting it from His own heart. He has washedyou from
your sins in His own blood. He has made you kings and priests unto God. He
has bought you with a price, so that you are not your own. The dying Christ
bore your penalty—the living Christ has ensured your acceptanceandyour
immortality. “BecauseI live,” says He, “ye shall live also.” While He shows
Himself to you this morning, He gives you these ancient things to feed upon.
Come, feastupon the love that had no beginning, the love that can know no
end, nor change, nor be measured. Rememberyour living and everlasting
union with Him. The union betweenyou and the Ever-blessedis inseparable.
“Who shall separate us?” Come, fall to! I pray you, break your fast, you who
are most weary, and worn, and sad! Sit not back from the table, but eat to the
full. My beloved, eatof these fish laid on the coals—thesemystic, marvelous
things—in the preparation of which you have had no hand, but which Jesus
aforetime has prepared for you. But the feastwas also made of what the Lord
had graciouslygiven and they had drawn out of the deep. The Lord has
causedus to obtain many precious things by His ownSpirit, and these we have
made our own, taking them in our net and dragging them to shore. Let us feed
on mercies experienced. Just now to myself these are very many—“a hundred
and fifty and three.” I can scarcelycountthe favors the Lord has given me of
late. My net is not broken, but I wonder it is not. For the draught of benefits is
so great—He daily loads me with benefits. I desire abundantly to utter the
memory of His greatgoodness. Cannotyou do the same and in the memory
find a feastfor love? “A hundred and fifty and three”— an odd number but
large—a number which, if you have been careful in your gratitude, may be
very exactfor all that—even the last three must not be forgotten.
“Streams of mercy never ceasing Callfor songs of loudest praise.”
“How precious, also, are thy thoughts unto me, O God!” The Lord has dealt
well with His servants, according to His Word. Let us rejoice in His name as
He has revealedit to us. Have you not a net full of answers to prayer? Some
here present have receivedsuch blessings that they may be compared to great

fishes. When we have many fishes we expectthem to be small fry, but ours are
all great fish. Oh, the greatgoodnessofa great Godto greatsinners in the
times of their great need! Let us be satisfiedwith the Lord’s greatgoodness to
us when in trouble we have sought His face. “This poor man cried, and the
LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.” “I sought the LORD,
and he heard me.” Come, feed upon what you have already tastedand
handled, both of His word and work. Rejoicein what you have seenHim do in
you, and for you. Why, here are greatfishes, a hundred and fifty and three.
The provision on the lake shore was more than enough for seven men,
howeverhungry they might be. Was it not? They might eatas much as they
liked without any fear of exhausting the supply. And after the meal, they
would not have left twelve baskets full alone, as there had been at the former
feast, but a superabundance for their brethren, or for any wanderers along
the shore. Now, dearfriends, try for a minute or two to dwell upon the
wonders of God’s truth and grace to you. Think of what He did in your
conversion. What He has done in the time of temptation—how He has
supplied your needs, and how He has given you enjoyments of His love. I was
looking back through former volumes of my sermons and I noticed how often
a sermon occurs without a date upon it. I know what that denotes. It means
that I was ill and in greatpain. Two or three
Volume 35
8
8
times in almost every year I have to hear the Lord preach to me in the
chamber of sickness,and I am unable, therefore, to preach to you. These were
bitter things at the time, but I bless the Lord for them all, and for raising me
up again and again, and renewing my strength. He will not leave me now.
Cannot you also turn to your diaries and remember the loving kindness of the
Lord, and speak wellof His name? All this will be to you a fire of coals and
fish drawn from the deep sea. I have almost done. I do not know whether you
have been fed, but I hope you have. I would againinvite you in Wisdom’s

name, saying, “Come, eatof my bread and drink of the wine which I have
mingled.” IV. But lastly, SEE HOW THE GUESTS BEHAVED
THEMSELVES. I hope if you are fed well, you will behave in the same way.
These guests ofour Savior’s, we find, “durst not ask him, Who art thou?
knowing that it was the Lord.” Come, let us get close up to our Lord. When a
soul draws near to Jesus, its words are few or none. Notice what the disciples
said to the Masteron this occasion. Theyonly spoke one word and that word
was “No.” Johnspoke to Peter, but not to the Lord. All the time before
breakfastand all the time they were at breakfast, they never said anything to
Him but, “No.” Thatone deep “No” betrayedthe vacuum, the emptiness, the
hunger—that was all they had to say. You, also, may sayas much to your
Lord as that—“Lord, I am nothing, nobody. I have nothing. I can do nothing
without You.” Notanother word is recordedas coming from them. That
devotion which must always show itselfby shouting may be very genuine, but
it is to be fearedthat it is superficial. Deepwaters run silently. Great feeling is
dumb—there is a frost of the mouth when there is a thaw of the soul. Words
are often a wall betweenour spirit and the GreatSpirit. I think I remember
reading of George Foxsitting down with a crowd of people round him, for a
long time, and never saying a word. They were all watching and waiting. And
if it had been myself, I should have stoodup full soonand have said
something, like a fool. But he was a wise man, and he satstill. It takes a very
wise man to hold his tongue so long. George Foxkeptsilent that he might
famish the people from words. A grand lessonfor them and one that might be
useful to some of you. You must have words! Fine words!Wonderful words!
A big mouthful of words is fine food for fools. Some preachers seemto think
that saints can feed on their eloquence but they need more substantial meat.
Could we not put things prettily if we were to try and throw out to you great
bouquets of flowers? Whatwould be the goodof it? You want food. You want
Christ. And if you could get Jesus Himself, words would be an impertinence—
your own words as wellas mine. As there were no words, so there could be no
doubtful questions. Whenever a man gets awayfrom communion with Christ,
he begins to ask a host of questions. Persons who have no religion have always
a selectionofreligious questions, varying from the stupidity of, “Who was
Cain’s wife?” onwardto, “What will man become by evolution?” When a soul
has drawn near to Jesus and has been fed by Him, it is no more troubled with

doubts than a man at the equator is bitten by frost. “I believe in the Bible,”
said one. “How canyou do that?” sneeredanother. “BecauseI know the
Author,” was the fit reply. If you are walking in the light with your Lord,
questions and doubts are heard no more, but you adore in deep restfulness of
soul, “knowing that it is the Lord.” How did the disciples know this? By
reason? Well, the knowledge is not unreasonable. But we rise higher—we
know Jesus by contact, by converse, andby a consciousness—orshallI callit
an omnipotently overpowering conviction?—whichneeds no supporting
argument. When we fall at His feet in lowliestreverence of joyful love, we
believe and are sure. We become doubt-proof. As an iron-clad throws off the
ball which is hurled at it, so a love-cladheart defies all the suggestions of
skepticism. They ate the bread and fish that morning, I doubt not, in silent
self-humiliation. Peterlookedwith tears in his eyes at that fire of coals,
remembering how he stoodand warmed himself when he denied his Master.
Thomas stoodthere, wondering that he should have dared to ask such proofs
of a fact most clear. All of them felt that they could shrink into nothing in His
divine presence, since they had behaved so ill.
Volume 35
9
9
Yet were they also silent for joy. Did you ever feelthe bliss of dying to self? As
you near the vanishing point of self, the glory of the Lord dawns on you with
immeasurable splendor. To grow bigger, and bigger, and bigger, until you fill
the halls of fame and your name echoes round the world, is the ambition of
the vain and it is an abomination. But to grow less and less, till the Lord God
is all in all, is the joy of saints and it is an offering of sweetsmell.
“The more Thy glories strike mine eyes, The humbler I shall lie: Thus, while I
sink, my joys shall rise Immeasurably high.”

They were silent in wonder as they gazed on the risen One. He was all over
wonder to them—a world of beauties and of miracles. When He fed them,
when He gave them the bread, when He gave them the fish—it was a melting
season. Theyremembered how He washedtheir feet, but then He was in His
state of humiliation. And they marveled yet more that now He was risen He
would still be among them “as one that serves.” Theywere dumb with
surprise, and gratitude, and love. I suppose they could not speak because they
felt such deep, unutterable reverence for His majesty. They felt, with Jacob,
“How dreadful is this place!” God was manifest in the flesh and they beheld
His glory. Hence Peterspeaks ofhimself as “a witness of the sufferings of
Christ and also a partakerof the glory that shall be revealed.” What could
they do but, while they apprehended that glory, remain quiet and inwardly
adore? Quietism alone may gender evil, but the practice of occasionalquiet
affords healthy nourishment to the soul. A sitting silently at the feet of Jesus is
of more worth than all the clatterof Martha’s dishes. Communion with Christ
will teachyou a reverence whichwords cannot express. There is an exceeding
weight of glory which would break the backs ofall the words of all languages
should we essayto load them therewith—
“Come, then, expressive silence, muse His praise.”
“Praise waitethfor thee, O God, in Sion: and unto thee shall the vow be
performed.” Brethren, have you fed? Have you had breakfastedwith Jesus? If
so, I am well content. But I would remind you that when you come hither
again, you must hear what your Lord has to sayby way of question and
command, for, “when they had dined,” solemn business began. It must not be
with us as with Israel—“The people satdown to eat, and to drink, and rose up
to play.” But we rise to work, and suffer, and to go far towards heavenin the
strength of the meat we have enjoyed. Someone will ask, “Have you not a
word for the unconverted this morning?” Indeed, I have something better
than words. When we setforth the provisions of grace before the godly, we
are really inviting poor hungry sinners. The sight of food is a fine creatorof
appetite. When the prodigal returned to his father, they brought forth the best
robe and put it on him, and they put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet.

But when it came to the eating, what was done? The father did not say, “Bring
forth the fatted calf and feedmy son with it. His words were—“Letus eatand
be merry.” Why, I thought he was caring most for his returning child? Yes,
but he was faint, and sick at heart, and needed to have his appetite aroused.
One sure way to induce another to eatis to eat yourself. If he stands there and
his sadness has takenawayhis appetite, do you eatand be merry, and you will
soonfind that his mouth will begin to waterand he will be ready to feed with
you. I do hope some people will feel an appetite coming to them this morning
and will cry, “I long to feed on heavenly bread and to have my heart refreshed
in the presence ofthe Lord Jesus.” O poor heart, believe in Jesus and He is
yours! Children of God, just as you can enjoy Christ and show that enjoyment
in your lives, you will be fascinating others to your Lord, and thus by your
means I shall not have preachedin vain to the unconverted.
Volume 35
10
10
O you who would fain come to Jesus, look atthe first chapter of this Gospelof
John. The word is there, “Come and see.” While in this last chapter of John it
is, “Come and dine.” Remember that the first thing to do is to “Come and
see,” orlook to Jesus. He says, “Look unto me and be ye saved, all the ends of
the earth.” Look to Jesus, see Him dying in your steadto put awayyour guilt.
Look with the appropriating glance of faith, trusting in Him. And then ere
long you shall feed on Him, to your heart’s delight. The Lord send His
blessing upon this word, for His name’s sake!Amen.
PORTIONS OF SCRIPTURE READ BEFORE SERMON—JOHN 21
HYMNS FROM “OUR OWN HYMN BOOK”—908,820, 385

Takenfrom The C. H. Spurgeon Collection, Version1.0, Ages Software. Only
necessarychanges have beenmade, such as correcting spelling errors, some
punctuation usage, capitalizationof deity pronouns, and minimal updating of
a few archaic words. The content is unabridged. Additional Bible-based
resources are available at www.spurgeongems.org.
GLENN PEASE
THE LAST BREAKFAST Basedon John 21:1-14
The Bible says God's mercies are new every morning, and the result is that
many of His blessings have come to His people at breakfast. Hudson Taylor,
the founder of the China Inland Mission, tells of this event in his life as he
prepared to go to China. When he gotto China he knew he would have to
depend upon God alone, and so he began to practice while yet in England. He
decided that he would move man through God by prayer alone. He worked
for a man who needed to be reminded every time his salary was due. Taylor
was determined to trust God to move him and not do so directly. He beganto
pray for Godto bring this need to his employer's mind. The time came for his
quarterly salary, but Dr. Harley made no mention of the matter. As the day
passed, Taylorprayed without ceasing until finally he was down to one coin
that was worth about one dollar.
On Sunday he had a full day of Christian service, and after the lastservice
at about 10 at night a poor man askedhim to come and pray for his wife who
was dying. The man was a Catholic and so he askedhim why he did not send
for a priest. The man explained that he had, but the priest would not come
without a payment of 18 pence which the man did not possess. Thatreminded
Taylor of just how poor he was also at that point. His lastcoin was in his
pocketand all he had at home was some water-gruelfor breakfast. He had

nothing for dinner the next day. He thought how gladly would I give
something to these poor people if I only had more, but to part with his last
coin was not even thinkable. When he gotto the home he saw a miserable and
wretchedsight with five children with sunken cheeks. Theywere slowly
starving, and there was the poor exhausted mother lying on a pallet.
He beganto struggle with himself. He tried to offer words of comfort, but
inside he was calling himself a hypocrite, for he was telling them to trust God,
but he would not trust God alone. He was clinging to that last coinas if that
was his only hope. He prayed and rose to leave. The father said, "You see the
terrible state we are in. If you can help us, for God's sake do!" At that
moment the word flashedinto his mind, "Give to him that askethof thee." He
reachedinto his pocketand pulled out his last coin and gave it to the man.
Joy floodedhis heart, and he was againon track of trusting God alone and not
God plus a coin. He walkedhome rejoicing, and that night he reminded the
Lord of His Word which said, "He that giveth to the poor lendeth to the
Lord." He askedGod to not let his loan be a long one for he had no
dinner for the next day.
The next morning he rose and sat down to eat his last plate of porridge.
While he was consuming this final bit of food, there was a knock at the door.
It was the postman with a very unusual Monday morning delivery. When he
opened the letter he found a blank piece of paper out of which fell half a
sovereign. He writes, "Praise the Lord," I exclaimed, "Fourhundred per
cent for a 12 hour investment." This was not the end of the story for he did
get his salaryalso in answerto prayer, but this blessing at breakfastso
convinced Taylorthat he could trust God alone to meet his every need that he
went on to start the greatestmissionarymovement in the history of China.
That breakfastwas the beginning of a greatmovement in fulfilling the Great
Commission.
Jesus loves to do some great things at breakfast. As we focus our attention
on the beautiful breakfaston the beachin John's Gospel, letus keepin mind
that it was indeed the last breakfast. We hearmuch of the last supper, but
here was the last breakfastthat Jesus had with His disciples, as far as the

Jesus was a cook

Recommended

Recommended

More Related Content

What's hot

What's hot (20)

Similar to Jesus was a cook

Similar to Jesus was a cook (20)

More from GLENN PEASE

More from GLENN PEASE (20)

Recently uploaded

Recently uploaded (20)

Jesus was a cook