In preparation for observing the Lord's Supper
This morning my pastor put flesh and blood on Truth, as he set before us the account of Jesus' post-resurrection encounter with seven disciple-fishermen. Having returned to what they thought they knew best after an excruciating Passover week, they are somewhat surprised when He shows up on the Tiberian (Galilee) seashore in the day's dawnining hours.
Their night of fishing had been disappointing. No fish caught. The seaside stranger asks the question that most irritates barren fishemen: "Children, do you have any fish?" Their response - an abrupt "No." Then another annoying statement (NOTE: a carpenter giving fishing advice): "Try the starboard side, you'll find some." I wonder if they grumbled as they cast their nets; perhaps to appease the Onlooker?
A bonanza catch of 153 fish (not minnows) strains nets and sun-baked muscles as they struggle to row ashore with the haul. One of them recognizes Jesus at this amazing result, "It is the Lord!" Another plunges into the water wading ahead of the others (like usual).
On the beach a fire roasts fishes provided by their surprising seaside Host, who readies a breakfast for their appetites and fellowship. He invites the men to add some of their abundant gathering of fish to those already cooking. Again, Jesus reveals himself in a food-laden setting and a connection is subtly but accurately made. Jesus demonstrates that He is the true source of sustenance. The only real soul satisfaction.
Are we destined to discover that in the ordinariness of life the Lord Jesus inevitably (some might think eventually) shows up? How like Him to break in to our daily routines with more from heaven than we can ever imagine or think! How gently He stoops down making eye contact with our childlike faith as He calls us, "Children,..."? How gracious His provision of our daily bread; and of greater necessity. Himself as food for our souls!
The sense of smell is the one that triggers our strongest memories. (Ask a SOULdier dealing with flashbacks of combat trauma.) The lakey breeze, the fishy morsels, the smoke wafting into their nostrils. All preparatory for the familiar scent of Jesus in the midst of their mundane lives.
I wonder if the smell of the bread and fruit of the vine, concrete to my other senses also, will under the illumination of the Holy Spirit, confirm to my faith the covenant promises signified in Holy Communion? Isn't there a sense in which our observance of the Lord's Supper is one of those times when the Lord appears in our midst in the mundane seasons of our lives? Don't Word and Sign converge in our hearts and minds to strengthen us to faithfully follow Jesus in our daily lives? We'll see next Lord's Day when we cast our nets in faith, hope, and love in communion with Him and one another..
See you at the Potter's wheel!
G.K. Sexton
"Now none of the disciples dared ask him, 'who are you?' They knew it was the Lord."
Johhn 21: 12
