Slow Down, Show Up & Pray. Wellbeing the Jesus Way. 5 Day Bible Plan With Ruth RiceSample

Day 4: Come and Have Breakfast 

Every year on Easter Monday, I have a little tradition. My family thinks it’s a bit crazy and maybe it is but I love it. It involves a beach if I can get to one, or the garden if not, a barbecue and some kippers. I just love to cook fish on an open fire even in a howling wind and serve those I love. As I say, my family is not as keen as me. This tradition came about a few years ago when having recovered from a breakdown, I wanted to learn to savour moments, to be truly present, to really live in the stories of Jesus that I loved. 

And there is no story that I love more than the one in today’s passage. Here we have Jesus, who has just been raised from the dead. He has literally been to hell and back, and what do we find him doing. Cooking breakfast on a beach for his weary followers. A surprise breakfast at that. 

Now this is the sort of Saviour I want to follow. How kind, how wonderful. The disciples are worn out and confused. They have returned to what they think they are safe with, and they seem to have forgotten how to do even what they used to be good at. There are no fish and then they spot Jesus. I like to think they smell the fish cooking and fresh bread first. Then as if a miraculous catch at his instruction isn’t enough, they find he already has plenty of fish and has a fire going (I love though that he wants them to bring what they have caught too. Jesus still wants to co-produce with us I think). As the disciples stand blinking in the morning light he says those beautiful four words, nectar to a weary soul, “Come and have breakfast”.  

I do love my food. Maybe this is why it appeals to me that Jesus is this practical. But I think it’s more than that. This story teaches me what wellbeing is. Here is love that looks like something, smells like something, tastes like something. There will be words. He is about to restore and commission but first, he feeds and cares. Oh, what a Saviour.  

I have known this gentle caring friend in my own journey of recovery. 

Have you? Can you smell the fish cooking? He wants to care for you. He is compassionate towards you. Come and have breakfast. 

Reflect: Where do you feel you have let Jesus down? Where do you feel a failure? In what ways are you running away from Jesus? Picture yourself seeing Jesus on the shore calling out to you in your weariness. Run towards him. Smell the breakfast. He invites you to bring what you have caught, what you carry. Hand these things to him. Your gifts, your skills, your lack. 

Now hear him commission you. He loves you just as you are?

Prayer: Meditate on Psalm 23:5 “You prepare a table before me.” What is on that table? 

I am weary

I run towards you

I hear your invitation

Come and have breakfast 

Come and be refreshed 

Come and be renewed

Lord I come.

Feed me, forgive me, fill me again.