Divine Invitation
John 21:12
Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.”
One of God’s favorite words is the word, “Come.” The words is used over 1,400 times throughout the Bible. It is a word of invitation. It is a call of compassion. A request and gracious offer of something wonderful and abundant. It is a beckoning from the very heart of God. A summons from the One Who deeply cares, is concerned, and is committed to our best interests. In the gospels we hear Jesus use the word “come” a number of times. Here are just a few.
In Matthew 11:28 He says, “Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” It is a divine invitation to bring your weariness, your burdens, your heavy loads to Jesus. He will not only help you carry them, but He will provide a heavenly rest for your heart and soul.
In Matthew 14:29 the gospel writers records these words: “[Jesus] said, ‘Come.’ So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus.” It was a divine invitation to trust the Lord by faith. The Lord continues to beckon us to trust Him. To believe His Word. To look to Him to help us overcome the waves of life. If we keep our eyes on Him and come to Him we will be able to do the supernatural and overcome the turbulent waves that threaten us.
In Matthew 19:21 we find these words that Jesus says to the rich young ruler — “Come, follow Me.” It is a divine invitation to commit your life to Christ. To walk step by step with Him. To imitate His words, His actions, His attitude, and His character. It is a challenge to live the life of Jesus.
In Mark 6:31 Jesus says to His disciples, “Come away by yourselves to a lonely place, and rest a while.” It is a divine invitation to solitude. To refreshment. To rediscovering peace and serenity, quietness and tranquility. It is a call to find Sabbath in Christ. Something that we all desperately need.
And then in the verse we are considering today Jesus invites the disciples to come and eat breakfast. To find provision, sustenance, and nourishment not only for the body but for the soul. In the case of Peter it was also a call to be forgiven and reinstated.
The divine invitation is extended to you today. Jesus invites you to come to Him. That you might find rest. That you might trust Him. That you might walk the road He walked. That you might discover His wonderful provision. And that you might be forgiven, cleansed, and restored into right relationship with Him.
So the question that you knew I was going to ask: What do you need today? What is it that you need today when the Lord says, “Come.”