John 21:7-9 (NIVUK)
7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord!’ As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, ‘It is the Lord,’ he wrapped his outer garment round him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. 8 The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred metres. 9 When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.
As you may be aware, the smell of burning coals is significant, an echo of the burning coals Peter would have smelt when he denied Christ. There’s another interesting detail here though, that was pointed out to me after the service on Sunday. Jesus already has fish cooking on the fire. He doesn’t need the disciples’ fish, although he will ask for some. He might not need our participation, but he wants it, he wants us to be partners with him, cooperating and working together.
Jesus, thank you that although you do not need us, you want us, and your love and grace that this reveals.
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