“Come and eat lunch” (John 21:12)
May 17, 2023
Amid the apostasy era, after His resurrection, Lord and Savior Jesus Christ reveled Himself to the disciples several times. He greeted and made peace, walked, sat and ate with them. At the third of His revelation to the apostles, the Lord came to the sea of Tiberias whilst the apostles Peter, Thomas and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We are going with you also.” They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing. But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Then Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?”
They answered Him, “No.” And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish. Therefore, that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea. But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from land, but about two hundred cubits), dragging the net with fish. Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.”
Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not broken. Jesus said to them, “Come and eat lunch.” Yet none of the disciples dared ask Him, “Who are You?” knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus then came and took the bread and gave it to them, and likewise the fish. (John 21:1-14)
Thus, this week is the commemoration we are reminded of the gospel that Lord Jesus Christ, because according to the commentaries of Saint John’s gospel, the net is the resemblance of gospel, the sea resembles the world we live in, the one hundred fishes exemplifies laities saved by the word of God and the three fishes are the resemblance of “Holy Trinity.” (Commentaries of Gospel of Saint John, Chapter 21)
Foremost during His sermon, Lord Jesus had chosen the apostles, whilst they were casting fishes so that they cast net of gentiles and save them. He first taught them gospel for them to spread the word of God and change many into Christians.
This is a clear indication of what the Lord meant when He said to the disciples “Come and eat breakfast” His holy words Gospel is the food to our soul and hence we shall listen, read, speak and live it. As the Saint apostles has spread the word of God soon after the ascension of Lord Jesus and the descendant of Holy Spirit ‘Pentecost,’ it is the will of Christians to know and live by it. They have also written the four gospels in the Holy Bible. Their work is not limited by this but outshined by their disciples, martyrs and Patristic Fathers who are the witness of Christ. The word and work of God was revealed upon them and onwards by Christians who led their lives according to the gospel.
Dear Brethren, it shall also be our will to learn, know and understand the Gospel for we will be saved from the temptation, deviousness and deceptiveness of this world. It is through the word of God that we are protected from sinful acts, harms and evil trap. Our Lord has taught us to be kind but wise for we would be able to defeat our enemy. If we are not to observe all the scam and devious plan emerges in our lives, we are not to be protected from it. But if we make gospel our shield, it is likely that we survive the storm of tribulations.
It is clearly known that our world is surrounded by predicaments derived from our own sinful acts. It is our unfaithfulness, laziness, lie, pretentious and harms that made this world devious and Satanic. We are to be faithful but lack faith within our spirituality; diligent though strive to succeed in sleaze; might we live by the truth although spurious.
Life is to be real, filled with peace and contentment if mankind were to live under the command of God. The history of us changed when Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit that brought not only death but also sadness, hate and fear. This being the reason of all the anxiety, worry and grief within earthly life. Man lost his grace and was derived out from heavenly paradise due to his sin. Soon after, he was to be punished on earth through hunger, cold and trials. He suffered much on earth, lived in misery and with tears pleading his Lord. If it was not for His mercy and love, no human could ever see the light of the world and kingdom of heaven.
Our Lord and Savior’s Jesus Christ came to this world in flesh and blood, hungered, thirsted, bared, migrated, was beaten, insulted, spitted on and died for our salvation. All this we know through gospel that our Lord first taught. His words were transferred from generation to generation by His chosen children, the apostles, disciples, martyrs and patristic fathers. Holy words of our God are what we prerequisite for Christian life. It is our guidance and life; so let’s eat lunch!
May our Lord have mercy on us, Amen!
