John 21:12–13

The fourth Consequent recorded, is, his inviting them to dine, with their going about it; betwixt which there is interlaced, the Disciples reverencing of him, who, albeit they had yet some scruples concering all this his shewing of himself, which his speaking to them, and assuring them that it was he, would easily have removed; Yet, being perswaded they were but groundlesse scruples, and that indeed it was the Lord; they do so reverence him, as they are ashamed to trouble him with such questions. Whence learn 1. Christ is very tender even of the bodies of his people, and alloweth, (not pampering, but) that they should have a sober and moderate care of them, as being the Tabernacles of his own Spirit; Therefore is he the first motioner of their refreshing their bodies, Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine; and albeit he suspended their dinner, till they had secured their purchase, and had observed their miracle, v. 14, 11. yet now he will conferre none with them, till they had dined, v. 15. 2. Albeit it be not expresly said here, that Christ did eat with them, as it is, Luke 24.42, 43. yet it is implied in this invitation, not go, but Come and dine; not that he needed meat now, but thereby he would confirme the truth of his Resurrection; And, as by the former miracle, he proved himself true God; so by this he would prove that he was true man still, and so doth teach us; That our exalted High Priest continueth our Kinsman, and bone of our bone, and flesh of our flesh, still; and that he was going in our nature to take possession for us in heaven. 3. Albeit also it be not expressed that he blessed the meat, or gave thanks, yet it is to be understood, as his ordinary practice, not only before, chap. 6.11. but even since his Resurrection, Luke 24.30, 35. Only it is clear here, that he giveth it still, to teach us that our daily bread, and the blessing thereof cometh from him, and is to be sought from him continually. 4. Weak beleevers will not get their doubts and scruples soon overcome, even when they know they are wrong; for, they knew, it was the Lord, and yet they had some doubts which would have put them to enquire, who art thou? 5. Christ is so condescending, as to judge of his people by their better part, and to account them knowers and beleevers, who yet have some ignorance and doubtings, providing they approve not thereof; for, so doth John record them, as knowing that it was the Lord, though they had these doubts. 6. Albeit the best way to refute and remove the meanest doubt be, to lay it before Christ; yet it is a commendable duty, and a testimony of reverence to Christ, when these who get many proofes of his love, are ashamed to own their unbelief, or to bring it out as a real doubt, when it assaults them; but do either suppresse it, or complain of it as unreasonable; for, knowing that it was the Lord, none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? They are ashamed to own it as a real doubt, but do suppresse it; And indeed, however they might have complained of it, as their weaknesse unto Christ, yet it had been their sin, to have given any consent or way unto it, as this question would import they had.