As soon, then, as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread....  Jesus saith unto them, "Come and dine."  (John 21:9, 12a).

It's the international call to fellowship:  Come and dine, or "Let's go out to eat." 

In John 21, we see a sweet picture of the believer in fellowship with Christ.  You know the story.  It's right after the resurrection.  Peter decides to go fishing and seven other disciples quickly volunteer to go along.  But they catch nothing.  Gray morning breaks calm and chilly over the Sea of Galilee.  The shivering disciples see a lone man on the shore, cooking over a fire.  Jesus.  "Come, dine," Jesus beckons.

The bread and fish speak to me of the Lord's nourishment--always available to His children.  After all, He is the Bread of Life.  He provides the spiritual sustenance that we need.  "I am the vine and ye are the branches," he reminded them.  John 1:1 tells us that he made the whole world, and Colossians 1:17 reminds us that "by him all things consist."  He has "blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places...."  (Ephesians 1:3).

The fire speaks to me of comfort.  Serving Christ doesn't always lead us to comfortable lives.  Yet inwardly there is Christ's comfort, even if the wind is cold and the environment is hostile.  There is an inner peace and comfort from being close to the risen Savior.  "Come be near me.  Sit close to my feet.  Let's talk.  Draw warmth and strength from me."  That's our provision for fellowship with Him.

We see a great deal of grace in this passage, too.  Peter had recently denied Jesus three times.  James and John had been called to leave their nets and be "fishers of men."  Thomas should've had his picture in the dictionary right below the word doubt.  But it is in our time of greatest need that our loving Lord offers us nourishment, warmth, comfort, sustenance.  By grace.

Jesus knew the need of these eight men before they saw Him on the shore.  Christ had already begun His work as the great High Priest, interceding, pleading, advocating, supplying their needs.  His priesthood is ever sufficient for us.  He knows our need.  And by grace He is willilng and able to supply.  As the old hymn exhorts us, "You can feast at Jesus' table anytime."

Now unto him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus though all ages, world without end.  Amen.  (Ephesians 3:20,21)