A Feast with Jesus

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John 21:12-13

Jesus said to them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples dared ask him, Who are you? knowing that it was the Lord.…

1. Our Lord is careful of 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 said to the seven, "Come and break your fast," will not forget you. I cannot tell how the fire was lighted, &c., but some way or other you will be fed.

3. If Jesus is thus careful of bodily wants, much more will He be careful of your souls. After He had supplied the one He proceeds to Supply the other.

I. THE IMPORTANCE OF A FEAST WITH JESUS. It was important to these men —

1. For they 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 easy of digestion. Christ does not like to see us wet, and cold, and hungry, because it is not good for 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 good condition.

2. They were weary with the night's fruitless toil; and when Christ's modern workers feel discouraged He invites them to come and break their fast with 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. Successful workers are prone to forget their own spiritual wants.

4. Christ was about to overhaul them. It is needful that Christ should feed us before He searches us.

5. They were about to receive a commission. Christ does not send people to feed His sheep and lambs without feeding them first.

6. They were about to enter on a perilous path. Wonder not that you are called to 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 act of creative power. Your soul can ever 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 cometh and taketh bread and giveth them." There is good spiritual 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 clearest vision of Christ; and that vision is the most satisfying thing on earth or in heaven.

III. THE PROVISIONS.

1. What He had mysteriously prepared. Feed now on the mysteries of —

(1)  Everlasting love.

(2)  The covenant of grace.

(3)  The brotherhood of Christ.

(4)  Atoning efficacy.

2. What He had graciously given. 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 say to 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. Deep waters are still. It takes a wise man to hold his tongue.

2. They asked Christ no questions. People who have no religion are fond of religious questions. But when you get near Christ there is no questioning. We believe in the Bible because we know the Author, and are therefore not troubled with sceptical doubts. They were lost in wonder at His amazing condescension, and His majestic presence. What could they do but hold their tongues?

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