The Communion

Linda Rock
2 days ago
4 min read

We have come to the fourth and final move of Jesus, as He is with His disciples by the Sea of Galilee. We have been receiving His compassion, care and deep concern for His friends, all seven of them, on whom He is working, to get them to know that He is not just alive, but alive in flesh and bones. He wants them to know that the same Jesus they are having conversation with, is their same Lord and Master. It is the same Rabbi who, over three years ago, had called them to follow Him and they left all to do so. It is the same Jesus of Nazareth whom they came to know and love so dearly.

Previously, we saw how Jesus made the first move towards them in Coming to them, in Communicating with them and in Changing them in heart and mind. Having been informed that the Scripture text used, held four such moves or actions of Jesus, our attention is turned to the fourth and final move.

Here is Jesus’ Fourth move – The Communion

When they landed, they saw a fire of coals there with fish on it, and some bread. Jesus said to them, Bring some of the fish you have just caught. So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, Come and have breakfast. None of the disciples ask him, Who are you? They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them and did the same with the fish. John 21: 9 - 13.

Yes! We are now quick to acknowledge in our hearts and minds, and with our words and ways, that Jesus is making every single move first, in His mission to convince these seven disciples of Him being resurrected from the dead. Here we are looking at the meaning of communion, as fellowshipping together, having a time of sharing in harmonious, happy, social and spiritual hearts and minds. It is a freeing time of joy, and celebration, with honesty, respect and peace.

This final move, Communion, has been divided into three main portions.

Jesus’ communion brings Serving

Jesus has come to serve the seven. When they landed, they saw a fire of coals there with fish on it, and some bread.

In serving them breakfast, fish and bread, He has given them practical proof of who He is. Remember, one of the last things Jesus did in serving them, was to wash their feet.

Interestingly and most noteworthy is what John tells us about this event. Did you realize that it was a pre-ascension happening? It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed the full extent of his love. John 13: 1. Jesus, here as well, has made the first move in seeing to it that the feet of the disciples were washed. There was a need, a practical and down-to-earth, need and Jesus was not too high and mighty, to lower and humble Himself to perform the work or duties of one of the lowest serving servants. Let’s all get this straight. These feet were not already washed feet, as was the Jewish custom of commendable hospitality, practised respect and good Jewish manners. No! This service was not provided, so Jesus did it Himself. No one asked Him to do it, He took on this everyday happening to show how deep, and forever was His love for them. Will you agree that this was truly convincing proof that Jesus truly cared for and loved His own to the end?

Now, just as before, when no requests were made of Him, and no one prayed for Him to wash their feet, so too with this present service. Not one of the seven prayed to God to have Jesus provide breakfast for them on that early morning. Jesus was already cooking breakfast before they even knew that He was there. While they were coming in with zero fish, Jesus had fish roasting on an open fire. When they were coming in with many fish, breakfast was ready.

The point being made to us is that Jesus, despite the emotional and spiritual condition of His friends, was only too happy to serve them their first meal of such a most defeated, dismal and disheartening day. Jesus changed them and convinced them of who He was by being a servant to them in this simple, ordinary way. He made Himself their Cook or Chef. Not only that, but He Himself served the cooked breakfast. See! Look! It was Jesus serving them, not them serving Jesus.