CHRIST THE PROVIDER

JOHN 21:9–10

Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread

(John 21:9).

When the disciples came ashore, they beheld the provision of Christ. He had prepared fish and bread-cakes for them, that they might eat with Him and know that the Lord provides for their every need. This is a good reminder to us all. No matter how we toil and labor, it is Christ who provides. He causes the rain to fall and the sun to shine. He makes the fields ripe for the harvest. He is the One who supplies all our needs both physically and spiritually. As Jesus said on the Sermon on the Mount, if He knows how to care for the smallest sparrow, will He not care for you?

Jesus also promised that those who follow Him will eat and drink at His table in His kingdom. Here we see a foreshadowing of that great day. The disciples came to Him upon the shore as if it were the shore of heaven. They had toiled long just as we labor long in this world. And there was Jesus with a feast prepared for His chosen ones, just as a feast awaits all who call upon the name of the Lord.

And so the disciples joined their Master beside the sea and ate one last meal with Him until they would join Him in glory. But take note that Jesus told them to bring some of their catch to eat. Jesus didn’t give this command because there was a lack of food, but because He wanted to teach them a lesson. First, they must eat the fruit of their hands (Ps. 128:2 niv). This indeed is a blessing from the Lord, that we possess the freedom to benefit from our hard work. Second, He wanted His goodness and power to be displayed before them. As they looked upon the abundance before them, they were reminded of how good, benevolent, and merciful God is to His people.

Lastly, as fishers of men the disciples were to bring their catch to Christ. They did not labor for themselves, but for the King of kings. They did not speak their own words, but only that which had been taught to them from above. Whether we are preaching from the pulpit or sharing the Gospel with a neighbor, we are laboring for Christ. We are laboring “in the Lord.” And so, the fruit of our labors should not be an occasion to boast but to glorify Christ whom we serve faithfully and humbly.

CORAM DEO

Daniel 5–6

1 John 4

WEEKEND

Daniel 7–10

1 John 5–2 John

Do you worry about whether you are going to be taken care of? Where is the next meal coming from? Next month’s rent? People to fill the seats of your empty church? Trust in Christ, who is your great Provider. Take some time today to meditate on Matthew 6:25–34. Commit its key sections to memory.

For further study: Deut. 11:13–15 • 2 Sam. 7:1–17 • 1 Cor. 10:13

WEEKEND