“Simon Peter said to them [the other Disciples], ‘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!’…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 breakfast.’ 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. This is now the third time Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the dead” (John 21:3-14 NKJV).
“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me” (Rev. 3.20 KJV).
.In the Middle East to have a meal with someone is a token of friendship. When Jesus spoke of entering our lives He went on to say ‘I will sup with him and he with Me’. The Christian life therefore is intended to be one in which we enjoy the friendship of Jesus.
All would agree that life without friendship is a poor and shabby affair. But here is a friendship more wonderful than any earthly friendship for it need never be broken and will never end. It follows that we need never be alone, never without company for wherever we are and whatever we are doing the Saviour is with us. ‘Lo, I am with you alway’ was His parting word to His disciples. ‘I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.[1]
This friendship will grow and deepen as any human friendship will with the passing of the days and the communion of heart with heart. And for the Christian this communion will be achieved through prayer and Bible study.
But note just one thing about the meal described. Have you noticed how when Jesus comes, at first He is the guest, and then He becomes the host? So the Christian life is not just a life into which Christ has entered but one in which He is obeyed.
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The Savior’s gracious invitation to Abiding Life fellowship was celebrated in this hymn by Charles Widmeyer:
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:
Oh, ’tis sweet to sup with Jesus all the time!
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.
Soon the Lamb will take His bride
To be ever at His side,
All the host of heaven will assembled be;
Oh, ’twill be a glorious sight,
All the saints in spotless white;
And with Jesus they will feast eternally.
“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.”[2]
From Day by Day, (London: Pickering & Inglis, 1975), 54-55
Introductory John 21:3-14 quotation added
[1] Matt. 28:20; Heb. 13:5
[2] Poem added; lyrics by Charles B. Widmeyer, 1907