Each of us has a responsibility to respond to God. We will be remembered - and rewarded - for what we believe and do. By God’s grace and through Jesus we may directly appeal to the Father. We can ask for anything (John 15:7 and James 4:3). We can speak to God, hear from God, and have a genuine relationship with the Almighty.
But when we think of God, speak to God, and act as His ambassadors do we show Jesus the respect and reverence that all of the disciples did in the last two chapters of John and then into the explosive growth of the church recorded in Acts? Would the Holy Father want His Son’s name associated with us, our families, and our organizations?
Jesus tells Peter to take care of His sheep. Jesus doesn’t need many words (or any words) to give us directions that will change our lives and the world for His Kingdom. “Do you love me?” “Then take care of my sheep.” Do we love Jesus? What does He require of us? How can we serve our King in anticipation of His return in our relationships, our businesses, and our communities?
Growing up on the farm, breakfast was a big deal. I’ve never asked dad if it was for him too when he was growing up (I suspect his mom made him breakfast but I don’t know). But it sure was for us. Without fail, every single day, we woke up to a cooked breakfast. It was usually French toast, eggs, and sausage. But sometimes we had pancakes, hash browns, or leftover sliced and fried potatoes spiced up. Dad did the same for all of his grandkids when they visited him and he still does today for any visitors.
I remember fondly going to ‘men’s breakfasts’ when I was a kid. It was a group of men that would gather at the church (10 miles from our farm) before work, and eat, visit, and fellowship. Dad was shown the example of how to lead those breakfasts from when we lived in the Yukon in the early ‘70s. In his ‘80s dad is still participating in ‘men’s breakfasts’ at his church in Sylvan Lake, Alberta (they get something like 80 men out per breakfast).
Years later, when Kari and I were raising our kids in our church community in Calgary, much of our fellowship time was centered around food. (I didn’t keep the cooked breakfast tradition up as I was usually off to work at the law firm by 5:30 am or earlier. But I do cook a lot today.) Family, friends, fellowship, and food. It’s the way of Jesus. We shared a communal Eucharist cup last Sunday with the entire church for the first time (historically we always got one piece of bread, dipped it ourselves rather than drinking real wine out of a cup with everyone else). It was odd for sure, but there was power in it. Familial power of some sort. Together before the Lord, relying on Him. Believing and trusting in Him.
We notice in John 21 that Jesus had already done all the work of training His men. He shares very few words with them after His resurrection. They are ready. They may not have known it yet, but they were about to turn the world upside down. Jesus simply had to release them in faith and trust in Him. They had to believe - and continue to believe. And they would!
Jesus expects us to produce a great harvest (John 15:8). Maybe, like the Apostles, he’s asking us today, “have you caught any fish?” (21:5) Maybe we are off course and need to aim for what Jesus directs us to do. Let's get on course today.
In the spiritual battle of this life (and I very much know I’m in one) the stakes are high. The odds were against that small band of fishermen eating a fried breakfast with the risen Christ beside the Sea of Galilee almost 2,000 years ago. But what was true then is true now. Jesus is alive and He reigns. He has overcome the world. Jesus loves us. He provides just what we need when we need it. He does not need us to provide for Him (notice Jesus already had the bread and the fish before the fishermen came in). But He still wants us to contribute what we produce (21:10). And He wants to provide for us, fellowship with us, and encourage us to be strong and serve well.
And Jesus wants us to be the dads and husbands that not only feed our families well, but who love God and show it by everything that we do. By our service to Him we show that we know and trust Jesus, nay, believe in Jesus. And we show that we know we are responsible to follow and serve God as we await His return.
Jesus told Peter not to compare himself to John. John would have his own mission from the King - and he would fulfil it well. Peter’s job was to serve faithfully and bravely. I’m thankful to God this morning that he did so. Likewise, our job is to believe and serve with conviction and courage. Thank You, Jesus for this day. Amen.
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