We’ve all heard it said: “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” For some reason, that truth escapes me. Perhaps I need the cliff notes version, which would read: “Breakfast…is…most…important.”
Nevertheless, I am terrible about eating breakfast. I prefer the extra sleep. And, if awake, I often feel that time is better spent catching up from the previous day or getting a head start on the tasks ahead. That’s my story. I like to dwell on tidying up the past or improving upon the future. There just isn’t “enough time” for my daily breakfast.
But there again, the gravity of the situation evades me: “Breakfast…is…most…important.”
Perhaps that’s why a simple phrase jumped off my Bible page. In John 21, the disciples had abandoned their new call to “be fishers of men” and had returned to their old profession: fishing for fish. Jesus, never one afraid to crash a pity party, shows up and issues a familiar challenge: throw the nets over and see what happens! They do so, and BAM—they land the mother-load and realize that they’ve once again been seen and found by the living God. And they run to Him.
Here’s how it goes down from there (John 21:9-14):
When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.
I was touched by this simple invitation from Jesus, and the quiet obedience on the part of Simon Peter, especially. You see, the last time Peter saw a charcoal fire like this one, he was denying Jesus. Peter must have had so many questions in that moment. First of all—he must have been curious about all that took place leading up to Jesus’ death. Secondly—he must have been hounded by questions of what life would look like going forward. It would have been a very “pregnant silence,” given all the emotions. But, he chose to focus on the moment. He simply did what was asked. He went and got the fish. He sat with Jesus. Jesus served up breakfast. And he ate…
How do I know? Because of the next verse: “When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter…” Peter got something that I so often don’t. Breakfast…is…most…important. Be present with Jesus. Obey His simple commands. Don’t let the messy past or the cloudy future keep me from what’s the best for today. The answers will come in time. But, all He wants right now, in this moment, is for me to enjoy time with Him.
At the funeral of my friend’s father, the pastor read from this passage. He said: “I know there are so many unanswered questions in this time. Jesus would tell you—‘I’m here with you, and I love you. Get up and eat. Do the little things and keep going.’ That’s what your father would have wanted too. He would tell you, ‘Be sure to eat breakfast.’ That’s all God is asking of you, and that’s enough to focus on for now.” That was the best funeral sermon I’ve ever heard.
So many beautiful things happen in the morning, at breakfast time…
“In the morning you shall see the glory of the Lord…” (Exodus 16:7)
“Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning…” (Psalm 30:5)
“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning…” (Lamentations 3:22-23)
And just like “breakfast…is,” He is.
“And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6)
And time with Him is “most important.”
I hope to change my bad breakfast habits. I desire to wake up and be in the moment. No need to interrupt that time, handle all the pending business. Breakfast is most important.
More so, I hope to simply spend time with Jesus. I desire to be awake to His existence and be in the present. No need to rush. No need to blurt out all my questions, worry about what’s next. Jesus is most important. And He beckons me: “Come and have breakfast.”
…
Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42)
“Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.” (Psalm 143:8)
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If you struggle like I do, with making time for “breakfast with Jesus,” my friend Stephen Smith has written an excellent book to help us: The Jesus Life. You can get it now, here!
