To The Weak Heart, Jesus Says, Come and Dine
Introduction
We have been looking recently at some of these Invitations of Christ.
So far, we have considered the fact that…
1. To the Worn Out Heart, He says, “Come Forth,” as He did to Lazarus in John 11:43
We considered the fact that…
2. To the Wanting Heart, He says, “Come Down,” as He did to Zacchaeus in Luke 19:5
We considered the fact that…
3. To the Wondering Heart, He says, “Come And See,” as He did to John and Andrew in John 1:39
We considered the fact that…
4. To the Weary Heart, He says, “Come Unto Me...” as He says in Matthew 11:28
And then we considered the fact that…
5. To the Willful Heart, He says, “Come, Take Up The Cross, And Follow Me,” as He says in Mark 10:21
This morning, we’re looking at an invitation that Jesus extended to the weakened hearts of some of His disciples after they had spent a long night of fishing. And To These Weak Hearts, He Said, “Come And Dine,” in John 21:12.
This chapter includes one of the post-resurrection appearances of Jesus. In fact, verse 14 says, “This is now the third time that Jesus showed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.” And this refers to His appearances to a group of disciples. After He was risen from the dead, Jesus appeared…
1. To Mary Magdalene (John 20:11–18)
2. To the other women (Matt. 28:8–10)
3. To Peter (Luke 24:34)
4. To the Emmaus road disciples (Luke 24:13–35)
5. To ten disciples (Luke 24:36–43; John 20:19–25)
6. To the Eleven, including Thomas (John 20:26–29)
7. To the Seven by the Sea (John 21:1–24)
8. To the Eleven on the Mountain (Matt. 28:16–20)
9. To five hundred people (1 Cor. 15:6)
10. At His ascension (Luke 24:50–53; Acts 1:4–12)
11. To Paul on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1–6; 18:9, 10; 22:1–8; 23:11; 26:12–18; 1 Cor. 15:8)
Matthew Henry said…
Let us compare this appearance with those that went before, In those Christ showed himself to his disciples when they were met in a solemn assembly (it should seem, for religious worship) upon a Lord’s day, and when they were all together, perhaps expecting his appearing; but in this he showed himself to some of them occasionally, upon a week-day, when they were fishing, and little thought of it. Christ has many ways of making himself known to his people usually in his ordinances, but sometimes by his Spirit he visits them when they are employed in common business, as the shepherds who were keeping their flocks by night (Luke 2:8).
I read recently about a Gallop Poll that was taken in which people were asked what statements they most wanted to hear. It listed the following:
1. I love you
2. I forgive you
3. Dinner is served
Jesus’ invitation in verse 12 was to “Come and dine,” or as it is rendered in many of the modern versions, “Come and eat breakfast.” This was certainly a welcome word to these weary men.
I’ve always enjoyed an invitation to have a meal with someone, particularly with special friends at a favorite restaurant. I enjoyed being at my parents’ house on Thursday for the Thanksgiving meal. In the final phases of preparation, my dad starts hovering between the living room and the kitchen to assess the status of the meal. And finally the time comes when he says, “Food’s ready. Gather round.”
What comes to mind when we say that we’re going to have a church fellowship? Food, of course! In many ways, that concept of fellowship involving a meal is a very Biblical concept. Mealtime is not just about enjoying the sustaining food. It is also about enjoying the social fellowship.
These disciples needed both the fish and the loaves as well as the fellowship with the Lord. You see…
I. There Is An Element Of Misery In This Story
Fishing can be a miserable experience anyway. I shared with some folks recently about my memories of going fishing with my dad when I was growing up. He had a boat, and we would head out on Friday in the late afternoon, early evening and go to Lake Keowee or Lake Hartwell. We would get out on the lake underneath a bridge somewhere, and fish all night. Well … dad fished all night. I fished for awhile. And then I ate my cheese sandwich and moon pie or Little Debbie and RC Cola and crawled up in the front of the boat and went to sleep. And sometime in the wee morning hours, we would head for shore. And dad would get the boat on the trailer, and we would head up the mountain. And with the combination of the smell of fish, and the food I had eaten, and riding up the winding mountain road towards home, I would always feel a little nauseous. It was a miserable experience.
And this fishing trip in John 21 was a rather miserable experience to begin with…
A. Because There Has Been A Return To The Old Deeds
(John 21:3) Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.
1. This Makes Us Mindful Of The Previous Decision Of These Disciples
(Matthew 4:18-22) And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. {19} And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. {20} And they straightway left their nets, and followed him. {21} And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. {22} And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.
(Jesus has called them from this)
2. This Makes Us Mindful Of The Present Desperation Of These Disciples
go a fishing – Greek 232. halieuo, hal-ee-yoo'-o; from G231; to be a fisher, i.e. (by impl.) to fish:--go a-fishing.
He said that he was going to be a fisherman.
A. T. Robertson said, “Peter’s proposal was a natural one. He had been a fisherman by practice.”
Adam Clarke wrote…
Previously to the crucifixion of our Lord, the temporal necessities of himself and his disciples appear to have been supplied by the charity of individuals: Luke 8:3. As it is probable that the scandal of the cross had now shut up this source of support, the disciples, not fully knowing how they were to be employed, purposed to return to their former occupation of fishing, in order to gain a livelihood; and therefore the seven, mentioned John 21:2, embarked on the sea of Tiberias, otherwise called the sea of Galilee.
Their Faithfulness To The Lord Has Suffered
B. Because There Has Been A Return To The Old Difficulties
(John 21:3) Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.
1. This Is Reminiscent Of The Experience Of The Old Labor
Cf. (Luke 5:1-5) And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, {2} And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. {3} And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. {4} Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. {5} And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.
toiled – Greek 2872. kopiao, kop-ee-ah'-o; from a der. of G2873; to feel fatigue; by impl. to work hard:--(bestow) labour, toil, be wearied.
2. This Is Reminiscent Of The Emptiness Of The Old Life
(Luke 5:5) And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.
(John 21:3) Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.
nothing – Greek 3762. oudeis; not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e. none, nobody, nothing.
Their Fruitfulness In The Lord Has Suffered
C. Because There Has Been A Return To The Old Distance
(John 21:4) But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.
In his New Testament Word Studies, Marvin Vincent said, “The preposition eis, (on) ‘to,’ makes the phrase equivalent to ‘Jesus came to the beach and stood there’.”
He is present, but He is not perceived.
1. Consider The Record Of Their Lack Of Recognition
knew – Greek 1492. eido; properly it means to see (literally or figuratively); by implication it means to know: --be aware, behold, consider, (have) known (-ledge), look (on), perceive, see, be sure, tell, understand, wist, wot.
2. Consider The Reasons For Their Lack Of Recognition
It was early morning. Verse 8 says that “they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,” which is about 100 yards.
Adam Clarke said of this phrase, “the disciples knew not that it was Jesus,” that is was “probably because it was either not light enough, or he was at too great a distance.”
Albert Barnes had a similar conclusion saying, “Probably it was yet twilight, and in the distance they could not distinctly recognize him.”
When there is dimness or distance, we may not recognize the Lord as we should.
Their Familiarity Of The Lord Has Suffered
II. There Is An Element Of Manifestation In This Story
A. An Empty Net Is Manifested Here
(John 21:3-5) Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing. {4} But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. {5} Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No.
children – Greek 3813. paidion, pahee-dee'-on; neut. dimin. of G3816; a childling (of either sex), i.e. (prop.) an infant, or (by extens.) a half-grown boy or girl; fig. an immature Christian:--(little, young) child, damsel.
He indicated in this reference that they were not fully mature spiritually.
1. Meat Suggests Fellowship
Cf. (Luke 24:36-43) And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. {37} But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. {38} And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? {39} Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. {40} And when he had thus spoken, he showed them his hands and his feet. {41} And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? {42} And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. {43} And he took it, and did eat before them.
2. Meat Suggests Fulfillment
Cf. (John 4:31-34) In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat. {32} But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of. {33} Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat? {34} Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
(Note: They didn’t have any because their nets were on the wrong side.)
Cf. (John 21:6) And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.
B. An Embarrassing Nakedness Is Manifested Here
(John 21:7) Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea.
Simon Peter’s Nakedness – Naked always suggests humiliation and helplessness
Vincent says of this word “naked” that it indicates not absolute nakedness, “but clothed merely in his under-garment or shirt.” Still…
1. There Is A Humiliation Associated With Nakedness
Cf. (Genesis 3:7) And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
2. There Is A Helplessness Associated With Nakedness
Cf. (Job 1:21) And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.
C. An Ending Night Is Manifested Here
(John 21:4) But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.
1. This Marked The End Of A Night Of Darkness
Vincent says of the phrase “when the morning was now come” (come = genomenees), “The best texts read the present participle, ginomenees, ‘is coming.’ The English Revised Version (1885): ‘when day was now breaking’.”
2. This Marked The End Of A Night Of Discouragement
(John 21:6) And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.
And as the dark night of discouragement was ending…
III. There Is An Element Of Ministry In This Story
A. Jesus Ministered To The Hunger Of These Men
1. His Presence In Fellowship Fed Their Hungry Spirits
(John 21:7) Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea.
(John 21:12) Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.
knowing – Greek 1492. eido; properly it means to see (literally or figuratively); by implication it means to know: --be aware, behold, consider, (have) known (-ledge), look (on), perceive, see, be sure, tell, understand, wist, wot.
Recognition and relationship was restored.
2. His Preparation Of Food Fed Their Hungry Stomachs
(John 21:12) Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.
a. With A Little For Then
(John 21:9) As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread.
Arthur Pink said…
What is the deeper significance of this? First, it tells us of the Lord’s care for His servants, and is the concrete pledge that He will supply all their need.
A. T. Robertson said that “dine” means to “break your fast.” Literally, Jesus said, “Come to breakfast.”
b. With A Lot For Later
(John 21:10-11) Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught. {11} Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken.
Pink wrote…
It is as though He had said, ‘Draw up the net, and see for yourselves how profitable it is to do what I tell you.’
Ray Stedman said…
John reports that there were exactly 153 fish caught in the net. Almost all the commentators agree that John has a reason for giving the number. … The most likely answer, as some commentators say, is the suggestion of Jerome, the early church father, who said that among the Greeks it was widely regarded that there were 153 kinds of fish in the sea. Modern science, of course, has discovered that there are many more species than that. If this was widely thought in that day, however, this was God's way of saying that the gospel is a universal gospel; it is for everybody, no matter what their background, color, culture, education, whatever. The same gospel is designed for men and women everywhere on earth. It has been true through all of history that wherever this wonderful word has spread it has never been found to be out of place. Once the artificial cultural barriers to understanding are removed the word of the gospel always speaks right to the human heart. No matter what kind of fish we may be dealing with they can be caught by the gospel net.
B. Jesus Ministered To The Heaviness Of These Men
(John 21:14) This is now the third time that Jesus showed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.
showed – Greek 5319. phaneroo, fan-er-o'-o; from G5318; to render apparent (lit. or fig.):--appear, manifestly declare, (make) manifest (forth), shew (self).
1. Perhaps It Had Been Hard To Deal With The Preceding Tragedies
a. The Death Of Jesus
b. The Deception Of Judas
2. Perhaps It Was Hard To Deal With The Progressive Transition
From having the constant companionship of Jesus to anticipating His departure. Things were changing for them. But in the midst of change, He showed Himself.
C. Jesus Ministered To The Hearts Of These Men
1. He Ministered To The Wondering Hearts Of Several
Cf. (Luke 24:41) And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat?
wondered – Greek 2296. thaumazo, thou-mad'-zo; from G2295; to wonder; by impl. to admire:--admire, have in admiration, marvel, wonder.
2. He Ministered To The Wayward Heart Of Simon
(The last record of a time when Simon sat in fron of an early morning fire was when he had betrayed the Lord.)
(John 21:15) So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
Notice the contrast of verse 6 with verse 11…
(John 21:6) And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.
(John 21:11) Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken.
Arthur Pink said…
What six men had been unable to do in their own strength, one man now did when he went to his work from the feet of Christ!
Conclusion:
Just as the angel of the Lord said to Elijah in 1 Kings 19:7, “Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee,” similarly we need the nourishment that Christ can give us. And He invites us to “Come and dine!”
In 1906, a Nazarene preacher named Charles B. Widmeyer wrote a song to go with a sermon he was preparing on John 21:12. The song says…
Verse 1:
Jesus has a table spread Where the saints of God are fed,
He invites His chosen people, “Come and dine”;
With His manna He doth feed And supplies our every need:
O ’tis sweet to sup with Jesus all the time!
Chorus:
“Come and dine,” the Master calleth, “Come and dine”;
You may feast at Jesus’ table all the time;
He Who fed the multitude, turned the water into wine,
To the hungry calleth now, “Come and dine.”
Verse2:
The disciples came to land, Thus obeying Christ’s command,
For the Master called unto them, “Come and dine”;
There they found their heart’s desire, Bread and fish upon the fire;
Thus He satisfies the hungry every time.
Verse 3:
Soon the Lamb will take His bride To be ever at His side,
All the host of Heaven will assembled be;
O ’twill be a glorious sight, All the saints in spotless white;
And with Jesus they will feast eternally.
In his book “Bible Highways,” Ivor Powell said…
The beach was still; the silence was unbroken except for the sound of the waves and the sudden squawk of a bird. The Savior was about to serve breakfast to His tired guests. They looked at His kind, dignified face and remembered the invitation with which He had welcomed them: “Come and dine.” A night’s fruitless toil had left them weary and discouraged, but when their task seemed to be completely hopeless, His appearance on the beach turned defeat into triumph. He had kindled a fire and invited them to breakfast. At that fireside they were to discover new strength which would enable them to meet the demands of the future. Long afterward, Peter remembered that morning, and when John was old, he could still recall all that happened. …It is heaven to be at His feet. “Come and See” is enrollment in God’s school. “Come and Drink” is proficiency in study. “Come and Dine” is to graduate; and only then is the Master truly satisfied with His student.
When we lived close to my parents and our boys were small, they would invite themselves over to Nonnie and Pa’s for supper. But we don’t need to invite ourselves to feast with Jesus … He has already invited us. And I believe that it’s a standing invitation.
He Invites Us To Be Fortified
Following
Feasting