Andrew Fountain - A Meal on the Beach with Jesus

Goal:

To allow Jesus to reveal himself to us,
as he did to the disciples on the beach..

A Meal on the Beach with Jesus

1. The beautifully woven story of what happened on the beach that morning
2. Why has John told us this story?
3. How can we receive this revelation of Jesus?

Last time: The first appearances

• Mary at the Tomb
• Twice to disciples in a locked room
• Mary missed him the most, and was the first he appeared to
• Be like Mary, and keep your eyes on Jesus
• read his words, spend time with him in prayer, hang out with him by thinking of him often.

Structure of John

John 13–21 “Book of Glory”

13 A meal with the disciples

21 A meal with the disciples

John 21: How it matches John 13

• These are the only two places in John he calls them “Little Children”
• At the last supper: Little children, I am still with you for a little while. You will look for me… Where I am going you cannot come.
• Jesus humbly serves the disciples
• They eat a meal together at which Jesus passes out bread
• Peter: denial and restoration (next time)
• Some very close parallels with Peter & John

A Meal on the Beach with Jesus

1. The beautifully woven story of what happened on the beach that morning
2. Why has John told us this story?
3. How can we receive this revelation of Jesus?

2. Why has John told us this story?

• Was it wrong to go fishing?
• Structure is so helpful:
• Movement from not recognizing Jesus is present, to seeing him
• Movement from hungry to full
• “He revealed himself in this way” v.1
• What was the self-revelation?
• His ongoing presence and care, even when we don’t see him

Is it ever God’s will for you to be hungry?

• Sometimes we are called to suffer for Jesus,
  e.g. Paul in 2 Corinthians 6

3. We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry,
4. but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities,
5. beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger;

The story is simply about Jesus’ ongoing love

• He knows your needs, and does not devalue physical needs
  • like some of the early Christian groups.
• There is no rebuke for “not hearing him”
• He is present, not absent
• He is at work in circumstances
• He provides more than the minimum for you to survive, but a delicious meal

A Meal on the Beach with Jesus

1. The beautifully woven story of what happened on the beach that morning
2. Why has John told us this story?
3. How can we receive this revelation of Jesus?

3. How can we receive this revelation of Jesus?

• The story is not telling us to make sure we are listening to Jesus telling us where to cast our nets
• It is not about us and our faith, but about him and his faithfulness
• Our response to this story is not to be anxious
• But believe in his ongoing presence and care, even when we don’t see him
• Allow Jesus to reveal himself to you through this story

Luke 12

28. But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!
29. And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried.
30. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them.
31. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.

Receiving this Revelation of Jesus

• Our response to this story is not to be anxious
• But believe in his ongoing presence and care, even when we don’t see him
• Allow Jesus to reveal his loving care to you through this story