Jesus said to them, “Come, have breakfast.” // John 21:12
There are moments in life when we find ourselves as Peter did in the aftermath of the crucifixion: lost, confused, unsure of what to do next in the light of recent events.
Peter goes back to fishing. The verses that follow are almost an exact mirroring of the first encounter between Peter, the unsuccessful fisherman, and Jesus the Teacher, telling him to go out for a catch one more time (John 21:5-7; Luke 5:1-6).
More than the astounding catch, Peter’s surprise must have been to find Jesus already cooking some fish over a charcoal fire. Our Risen Lord then makes a very unique and particular invitation to these men that morning who had been out all night and were resigned to go home hungry: “Come, have breakfast” (John 21:12).
In the moments when we are at our wits end with stress or knee-deep in the thick of laundry or sorrows and anxiety, sometimes all we need is for someone to make us a nice breakfast or our favorite comfort food to let us know “all will be well” and “I see you.” The Lord knows us and our needs so well, just as He knew well the men whom He called back to the shore that morning.
Can you imagine, sister, the Lord coming to you, after a long night—the long nights in our lives of collapsed dreams, unsuccessful ministries, the death of loved ones, or unfulfilled desires—and hear Him saying to you the same three words He spoke to those men?
Would you say yes? Or might you still be stuck on what happened yesterday, on the frustration of things not going as you thought it ought to go?
I pray we would have the response of Peter: to bring in the fish—the labors of the day, the heartache and hardships—place them before Him, and sit with Him a while, already knowing He goes ahead of us to prepare a meal and invite us in to dine with Him (Revelation 3:20).
As for me, I do love fish.
Sit with Him a while. // Rocio Hermes Click to tweet
Rocio Hermes is a Dominican-born, US-raised, stay-at-home mom who is excited about building community, baking desserts, and writing poetry. She holds a Master’s degree in Theology and has lived in Ethiopia as a missionary. Rocio now lives in Israel with her German husband and their son. She is a contributing author to Blessed Conversations: Dwell. You can read more from her at graceandmercyblog.com.
Rocío Hermes es una mama de casa nacida en República Dominicana y criada en Estados Unidos, a quien le entusiasma construir una comunidad, hornear postres y escribir poesía. Tiene una maestría en Teología y ha vivido en Etiopía como misionera. Rocío ahora vive en Israel con su marido alemán y su hijo. Es autora colaboradora de Blessed Conversations: Dwell. Puede leer más sobre ella en Graceandmercyblog.com.
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