We tend to overlook some of Jesus’ last words in the Bible—words He said before He ascended into heaven. Which words in particular, you ask? That would be a sentence close to my heart. In the very last chapter of John, Jesus says, “Come and have breakfast.”(John 21:12)

For someone who doesn’t believe in skipping meals—especially not breakfast—this is a beautiful invitation. As a mom, “come and have breakfast” is something I often say, but it’s not a phrase I often hear. It would be wonderfully welcoming to have someone set breakfast out for me every now and then—and I’m not talking about cereal and milk. (Since Mother’s Day is around the corner, this might be a not-so-subtle hint to my teen kids who also happen to be my blog subscribers.)

Some of the disciples had been at sea all night, fishing without any catch. Jesus called to them from the shore and instructed them where to cast their nets to maximize their haul. He then waited for these tired men on the beach, grilled fresh fish, and served it alongside warm bread. The men were fatigued and famished. Jesus not only blessed them with a bounty, He also had them sit down to an alfresco, home-cooked meal that would fill their tummies and warm their hearts.

As Jesus served the bread and fish, I wonder if the disciples were reminded of another time when He multiplied a young boy’s picnic lunch to feed more than five thousand people. On that occasion, Jesus gave the bread and fish to the disciples to distribute among the people. In the incident on the beach, there were no crowds to feed.

Yet, Jesus says to Peter, who had bounded toward Him from the water, “Feed My sheep.” Jesus repeats this instruction three times in John 21.

I love how Jesus even lets these guys partner with Him. After a long night of fishing, they had zero catch. But when they followed His instructions, their nets overflowed. 153 fish to be precise. Some of those slippery creatures became part of the breakfast buffet. The equation is pretty simple: Without Jesus, we have nothing. With Jesus, we have everything we need. And when we offer to Him what He gives us, we find our satisfaction.

By that fire on the beach, Jesus welcomes Peter to feast at the table. He fills him. He satisfies him. He gently strengthens Peter’s faith. This disciple had denied knowing Jesus three times. Now, Jesus gives him three opportunities to affirm his love for his Rabbi. And with each assertion of Peter’s love, Jesus commands him to feed His sheep.

Jesus feeds Peter on the beach. Now, He entrusts Peter with feeding others. The feeding of the sheep would flow from the nourishing of his soul.

Friend, is God calling you to feed His sheep today?

Your assignment could look vastly different from Peter’s. Maybe it’s simply to sing “Jesus loves me” to your littles. Maybe it’s speaking from a stage to a large gathering. Maybe it’s taking a home-cooked meal to someone who’s sick. Maybe it’s organizing cables in your church media booth. Maybe it’s listening to a friend when they need to vent. God doesn’t need our big “haul,” He wants our hunger. He wants to fill us.

Here’s something to remember: God satisfies us before He sends us.

He nourishes us before He commissions us. He ministers to our souls before He sends us on mission.

In the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand, Jesus gave them bread and fish to distribute. Here again, in some sense, He does the same.

When God feeds us, we are deeply and fully satiated. And then our work begins. We aren’t called to hoard His treasures. We are called to share them. He pours into us—and we find our purpose in pouring out.

Fellowship with Jesus. Feast with Him. Be filled. Be formed. Fulfill your calling to feed others.

 

 

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