Real Hope: Food for the SoulSample

Breakfast with Jesus

I have read recently that someone said Christianity is the religion of food. Good fellowship for this person always happened over a meal. This certainly seemed true of Jesus’ earthly ministry.

Of all the ‘food stories’ recorded in the New Testament, this passage in the Gospel of John is one of my favourites. Here, Jesus initiates the meal. But more importantly, He initiates a meeting, He initiates fellowship, He initiates a conversation, He initiates reconciliation for Peter, and He initiates and reinstates Peter’s call.

In one sense this is a business breakfast, probably the most important one in history. It is where the risen Christ commissions Peter, soon to become the ‘Head of the Church’. It’s Jesus’ idea and He provides and prepares the meal. The passage tells us much about the care that Jesus takes to engage with us and perhaps shows us some keys to how we engage with others.

Can I encourage you to follow this pattern as you intentionally, yet slowly and carefully provide opportunity and hospitality in engaging the people you need to encourage in their Christian walk by sitting with them over a meal? Maybe the presence of Jesus will join you at the table.

Written by JOHN SCOTT