Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

Christ’s invitation to Hospitality
John 21: 1 – 14
v.12-13. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord.  Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish.
This text describes the third appearance of Jesus to his disciples after the resurrection. Here we see Jesus reinstating the disciples with a new emphasis in discipleship. Even in the difficult situation Jesus’ hospitality has been seen here.  It is at the Galilean shore that some of the disciples heard the first call of Jesus.

1. Jesus is seen as seeking his disciples who were a desperate situation. Seven of the disciples were in the disappointments of their vocation. In order to make a possible existence, they opted the easiest way out by going back to their familiar trade. They were commissioned by Jesus to be the catchers of men instead of being the catchers of fish. They were backsliding from their given vocation. When Peter suggested to go for fishing, all of them endorsed it. But in spite of their experience in the trade, they could not catch any fish during that long night. In the midst of that fruitlessness Jesus came in and asked them to cast their nets on the right side. The disciples did not argue with the stranger. They simply followed his suggestion, perhaps thinking that the person standing on the shore detected some sign of fish that was not noticeable to them. In any case they thought it was worth trying once more. To their wonder, they had an unimaginable catch. Their scarcity was gone and they experienced abundance.


2. This text also proclaims the possibilities in the contexts of failures. When they said that they do not have anything with them, they were telling that they can do nothing humanly. But Jesus instructed them to cast their nets on the right side of the boat. The result was wonderful. Only God's eyes can behold more than the human eyes. There is nothing hidden from the eyes of God who created the heaven and earth. Jesus comes to us revealing himself and his resources. It was his abundant supply in their need that enabled the disciples to recognize Jesus. The awareness of our total inadequacy goes with our faith in Christ who can supply all our needs. Jesus neither leaves every task to us, nor does he do it all. What he wants is cooperation, fellowship and sharing. He is both the Guest and the Host at every meal. The mission of the kingdom is to lead humans to the divine possibilities.

3. The restoration of Peter and colleagues were through the touch of love. Jesus addressed them lovingly. When the disciples were falling from failure to further failure and when the expectations about them were not realized, Jesus spoke the language of love only. We also note that when Jesus saw them fishing he did not scold them. Instead he advised them to cast their net on the right side of the boat. What we find is Jesus’ approval and encouragement. Jesus was watching their labor and he already knew they didn’t catch anything so far. Hidden, Jesus watches over his children. Their scarcity was transformed as abundance. Beyond that, Jesus prepared a breakfast for them. They saw bread and fish on the charcoal. The challenge of the restored disciple is to be warmed by the fire of Jesus Christ. To be aware of the deceptions of the worldly charcoals is of great significance to the disciples of Christ.

 
PRAYER
Help us, O Lord, be closer to you in all situations of our lives and became a part of your hospitality.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Christ's amazing hospitality helps us to make discoveries of what he wants in our lives.
Rev. Saju Pappachan, St. Thomas MTC, Yonkers, NY
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church

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