“Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast.” None of the disciples asked him, “Who are you,” because they knew it was him” (John 21.12).
Jesus has risen—returned from the mysterious land beyond the grave. His words carry five, six, ten-times the authority they had before his death. Any doubt in any of the disciples minds that this is the Anointed One has been put to rest. So every word Jesus spoke in these moments could be taken as authoritative in how to live, to act, to think.
And so, we read, Jesus tells them to come on, it’s time for breakfast.
To me, if you were attempting to craft a religion or a cult of personality, this would have been the moment to reiterate or echo Jesus’ promise to teach these fishermen to fish for people. To, maybe point out that if he could calm the winds, he could command fish as well. You wouldn’t have your spiritual leader grilling.
But that’s what makes this scene so honest and so real; because, this is in character for Jesus. It’s early, people have been working, and you know the water and salty air make you hungry. And these are human bodies, strong and yet fragile, sufficient and yet needful.
The second half of this verse speaks to this truth. In the early morning light, no one asked who he was. No one had to wonder. Who else would be there, having conquered death, kneeling with his toes dug into the sand and his hair and clothes beginning to smell of smoke?
Who else but the One who loved them telling them breakfast is ready.
Jesus, having lived as mortal and fragile as we are, you know us better than we usually know ourselves. Help me in this season celebrating your Resurrection to listen for those moments when you are reminding me to take care of myself, even just to stop and have something to eat.