How can we emulate Jesus' hospitality shown in John 21:9 today? Seeing Jesus’ Welcome in John 21:9 “When they landed, they saw a charcoal fire there with fish lying on it, and bread.” - A prepared place: the glowing coals were already burning before the disciples arrived. - A prepared meal: fish and bread—simple, nourishing, ready to eat. - A prepared moment: the risen Lord Himself served, turning an ordinary breakfast into sacred fellowship. Timeless Principles We Can Imitate - Initiative: Jesus did not wait to be served; He served first (Mark 10:45). - Provision: He supplied what was needed before anyone asked (Philippians 4:19). - Presence: He sat and ate with them, giving undivided attention (Matthew 28:20). - Restoration: The meal framed Peter’s reinstatement (John 21:15-17), showing hospitality’s role in healing relationships. Practical Ways to Build a Charcoal-Fire Culture Today 1. Plan ahead • Keep a “ready table” mentality—extra groceries or freezer meals for unexpected guests. • Schedule regular nights to invite neighbors or church family for supper. 2. Cook something familiar • Simple food removes intimidation; a pot of soup or a grill in the yard can mirror fish on coals. • Let children help bake bread or set the table, teaching them early to serve. 3. Offer presence, not performance • Turn off screens; give eye contact and listening ears. • Share testimonies of God’s faithfulness while you eat, just as Jesus used the moment to reveal Himself. 4. Welcome the weary • Invite those who work late shifts, single parents, college students, or travelers. • Provide a quiet chair, a warm drink, or a guest room when possible (Hebrews 13:2). 5. Use hospitality for restoration • If tension exists, break bread together first; conversation softens over shared food (Romans 12:18). • Follow Jesus’ model: address heart matters after showing tangible care. 6. Keep it ongoing • Rotate hosts within small groups so burden doesn’t rest on one household (Acts 2:46). • Celebrate answered prayers with special meals; mourn losses with comfort food. Scriptures that Reinforce the Call - Romans 12:13 —“Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality.” - 1 Peter 4:9 —“Show hospitality to one another without complaining.” - Matthew 25:35 —“I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat… a stranger and you took Me in.” - Luke 14:13 —“When you host a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind.” - Hebrews 13:2 —“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers.” Closing Encouragement Every time we light a grill, set an extra plate, or open our door, we echo that early-morning fire on Galilee’s shore. Jesus still meets people at tables; we simply tend the coals. |
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