The Tender Love of the Risen Christ
John 21:5
Then Jesus said to them, Children, have you any meat? They answered him, No.


The question pertained to the wants of the body. Christ's resurrection body was still in sympathy with theirs. The higher He rose the deeper and more perfect were His sympathies. He could hunger no more, be weary no more: yet this made Him more keenly alive to the privations of His brethren. He did not need to put the question: yet He wishes to speak to them as a human friend interested in their welfare. He awakens their confidence as a stranger, but soon drops the stranger's dress. Blessed surprise! Such as that of Mary and the Emmaus travellers; as if He delighted in the surprises of love.

I. THE WATCHFULNESS OF THE RISEN CHRIST. He marks each sheep and lamb of His flock with more than a shepherd's eye. The glory with which He is surrounded does not make Him unwatchful. Amidst His plenty He remembers the penury of His own. You never lacked a meal but Jesus asked this question to supply it. You never lacked a spiritual meal but He puts the same question for the same purpose. He watches the hunger of every congregation, and asks, "Children, have ye any meat?"

II. THE PITY OF THE RISEN CHRIST. "I have compassion on the multitudes," He once said. Such was His pity after His resurrection; and we are sure that the throne has not lessened that pity. He pities His Church's and each saint's hunger and leanness. Let us learn this and imitate it.

III. THE BOUNTY OF THE RISEN CHRIST. His is no empty pity. He does not say merely, "Be ye warmed and filled": He opens His treasure-house and supplies us. His stores are boundless. He delights to dispense them; nay, to provide channels for them, as in the case of the disciples when He filled their nets, kindled the fire, and prepared the meal. He fills the cruse and barrel of His widowed Church, and feeds us with the finest of the wheat.

(H. Bonar, D. D.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No.

WEB: Jesus therefore said to them, "Children, have you anything to eat?" They answered him, "No."




The Risen Saviour on the Shore
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