Come and Eat

JOHN 21: 10-14 (GNT)
 

10 Then Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish you have just caught."

11 Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net ashore full of big fish, a hundred and fifty-three in all; even though there were so many, still the net did not tear. 12 Jesus said to them, "Come and eat." None of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" because they knew it was the Lord. 13 So Jesus went over, took the bread, and gave it to them; he did the same with the fish.

14 This, then, was the third time Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from death.

 
 

Chapter 21 of John's Gospel is replete with imagery and echoes from the previous 20 chapters, and these few verses are perhaps the most obvious. Even here, when Jesus already has fish and bread by the charcoal fire, he invites the disciples to bring what they have caught. Jesus is not 'doing to' the disciples but 'sharing with'. It is an invitation to meet with Jesus in every moment and to bring what we have to the relationship, whatever it may be.

Where might you meet with, perhaps even eat with, Jesus today?

What do you bring to the encounter?

 

Prayer:

 

There are times, Jesus,

when I am brimming with life, energy, and enthusiasm:

I cannot wait to connect with what you are doing in the world,

and desire to join in with just, well, everything!

There are other times, you know,

when I am exhausted:

too much is going on, and all my resources have been spent;

I feel a shell of my usual self, with seemingly nothing to offer.

May I always hear your invitation.

May I always know your encouragement.

May I always be brave enough to offer what I can, as I am,

for, in your presence, I am always enough.

Thank you.


AMEN.

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