December 19, 2023
Wrapping Up The Last Breakfast
“Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and the fish likewise. This is now the third time that Jesus was manifested to the disciples, after He was raised from the dead.”
John 21:13-14 (NASB)
When I first started in ministry, I didn’t understand a concept that I think is important for everyone today. Let me give you an example: As a young pastor at my church, an elderly man came to our church seeking help. I initially shared the gospel with him. He didn’t seem interested. During this time, we were decorating for an upcoming Vacation Bible School. It was nearing lunchtime. We were a small church with limited funds to give. I had to be very careful with every penny. We were barely paying bills. When the elderly man came we knew he was homeless. He asked if he could take a seat for a while and then attend the service. I said yes. The ladies in the kitchen were preparing hot dogs. I asked the man if he would like lunch. He said he hadn’t eaten in a few days. It would be wonderful. After sitting with him during lunch, he was more inclined to hear the gospel. He didn’t accept Christ that day as we prayed over the food and his safety, but he understood we wanted the best life for him. He left differently than when he came that day, and I think it had a lot to do with what was in his stomach that helped.
“Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and the fish likewise.” In Luke 24:30, the Bible records something commonplace for Jesus, “When He had reclined at the table with them, He took the bread and blessed it, and breaking it, He began giving it to them.” He gave a blessing over the food. This also was commonplace for Jesus. Some commentators say Jesus didn’t need to bless it as He was in His glorified body, but I believe Jesus still invoked some prayer in teaching role for the disciples. They needed physical strengthening to listen. Otherwise, there was competition between the growling stomach over the mind. Jesus knew the same needs were present that we should be aware of today. It is hard to compete with a body’s hunger. It is also hard to concentrate on spiritual things when the natural overrides. It is also many times the last time we see the person again. The seven disciples, too would have the last meal with Jesus again. “This is now the third time that Jesus was manifested to the disciples, after He was raised from the dead.” “The third time’ means Jesus’ third appearance to the apostles, which John narrated (cf. John 20:19, 24 for the other two appearances).”[1] Since the disciples were unaware Jesus would be leaving them, I wonder what their thoughts were that morning when they had breakfast. Hughes adds some backdrop: “The fish breakfast on Tiberias evokes a timeless, ethereal picture—the risen Lord with his back to the glistening blue morning sea, serving breakfast on the beach to the damp crew of disciples, while the smoke wafted between them. Verse 12 hints that there was little conversation. Something was different. The supernatural pervaded everything. It was an awkwardly silent breakfast as they sat huddled around the fire, gazing timidly at the Lord as the morning mists rose from Tiberias.”[2]
Something spiritual was happening around that small fire that morning. It started with breakfast filling the needs of those who were hungry. We too see this happening today. Try filling the stomach sometime before the head. You may see a difference in their response.
[1] Blum, E. A. (1985). In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 345). Victor Books.
[2] Hughes, R. K. (1999). (p. 471). Crossway Books.