During the month of July my devotional Bible reading, and reflections brought the Gospel of John and the book of Jeremiah into glorious collision. One morning in particular stood out when in Jeremiah I read chapters 50 and 51, the record of the prophet’s detailed pronouncement of the Lord’s judgement over Babylon, alongside John 21, the gorgeous story where Jesus restored and repurposed Peter. What struck me was the contrast in how the Lord appeared in both accounts. In Jeremiah, He’s the Sovereign Lord, who made the universe, announced as the One who: “… made the earth by His power; founded the world by His wisdom and stretched out the heavens by His understanding.” (Jer.51:15)
Whereas, John recounting Jesus’ third appearance to His followers after His resurrection recorded that He’s the Serving Lord who made breakfast: “When they (the disciples) landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread… Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” (John 21:9-12)
In Jeremiah, the Lord spoke globally, to a seemingly unshakeable superpower of the day: “This is the word the Lord spoke through Jeremiah the prophet concerning Babylon…” (Jer.50:1)
In John, the Lord spoke personally, to one of His followers, still reeling from the events of the past: “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” (John 21:15)
What a thought, that the Lord who made the world made breakfast and the One who spoke to nations, also spoke to His friend! These are magnificent truths about the Lord that empowers our faith to negotiate and make sense of the macro events of our planet and the micro moments of our lives. These truths sharpen our vision to see a God who is invested into the global… the nations, as well as the local… individuals. Though we hold these truths in two hands, they must be united in a heart that refuses to consider one without the other.
As our world shakes and stumbles under the strain and uncertainty produced by COVID19, we are called to lift our eyes to the God who fills the universe, the “maker of heaven and earth”, to the One above rulers and kingdoms, to Him who is “first and last… beginning and end.” However, we understand it, truth declares Him to be the Sovereign Lord and everything He does is for His good and glory.
But at the same time, we are called to open our hearts to the God who fills our homes, as He makes breakfast for us and invites us to a place of intimate, personal, and tender communion. He calls us to warm our hands at His fire, eat the food He has prepared and know that we are loved, never to be abandoned.
As we face our world whatever it looks like, may we do it with a vision of the One who is both Sovereign Lord and Breakfast Chef!
John
Dr John Andrews is a leader, teacher, motivator and author. John teaches at Barry and Tina’s home church, the Bridge Bolton on a regular basis.