Hands that Broke Bread

Sermon Outline 01/03/2020 Reach Out Series
Topic : Hands that Broke Bread
Text : John 2 :1-17
Speaker : Rev. Renny Khoo

Meals nourish our bodies and are a significant part of our lives. We celebrate many events of
our lives with meals such as weddings, birthdays, anniversaries and entertain our guests over
meals. Festivals are celebrated with meals. Sometimes misunderstandings with friends are
settled over a meal. Central to meals are the role our hands play in preparing the meals, serving
the meals and eating the meals. Meals and banquets are often featured in the gospels and in
the life of Jesus. Jesus often introduces significant ideas and teachings over meals. Jesus often
uses meals as metaphors and teaching aids.

The Gospels record many instances where meals were shared such as at the wedding at Cana,
supper at Mathew’s house, the feeding of 5,000 and the breaking of bread at the Last Supper.
Many parables about meals were taught to the disciples, such as The Wedding Banquet, the
Prodigal Son.

After Jesus was crucified and resurrected, there was much chaos and confusion, and the
disciples felt lost. The things the disciples had hoped to see did not take place. What had been
predicted about the restoration of Kingdom of God had not happened. Despondency set in
among the disciples. It was at this juncture that Jesus came to them. (Read John 21: 1-17)
Jesus had prepared breakfast for them and invited them for the meal. When Jesus was cooking
the fish, the disciples would have observed His nail scarred hands, reminding them of the horror
and trauma of the crucifixion. Those were the hands that healed and touched the sick and
suffering. When Jesus served bread and fish to the disciples, they remembered how Jesus took
bread, gave thanks and gave them to eat. As they accepted the food from Jesus, they felt those
hands emanate energy and life and with a stab of joy, the disciples realized that Jesus is still
alive. The hopes and dreams on the restoration of the Kingdom of God has not died. Jesus is
alive today and He is still at work. God is alive and God is still at work, even today, whether we
know it or not and whether we feel it or not. God is alive.

After breakfast, the mood changed as there was a tense and challenging exchange between
Jesus and Peter when Jesus asked Peter “Do you love Me?” In verses 15-17, Jesus took the
example of the meal to turn it to a metaphor to teach about the future: “Feed My Sheep”, “Tend
My Lambs”.

3 Observations from the statements:
1) Hands that provide (Jn. 21: 5-6)
Jesus asks “Children, you have no fish have you?” and He then said, “Cast your net over
to the right side of the boat and you will find some.” God is the source of everything. He
is the provider and the giver and He will guide and direct us. He empowers us, sustains
us, gives us wisdom and shows us the way. Look to God as your source of provision, not
just in wealth, but in health, talent and time management. God is the provider of peace,
hope and joy. He teaches and guides. “Cast your net to the right side of the boat and you
will find some.”

2) Hands that share (Jn. 21: 10,12)
“Bring some fish=.. Come and have breakfast.” Jesus invites us to have breakfast with
Him. How do you feel when someone invites you for breakfast or for a meal? Do you feel
good, loved, accepted, feel the warmth and fellowship of your host? Jesus’ hands bless
you with His fellowship and friendship, with His presence and His companionship, with
comfort and guidance.

3) Hands that nudge you to share (Jn. 21: 15-17)
Three times Jesus asked Peter “Do you love Me ?” and followed by “Feed My sheep==
Tend My lambs=..” Implied in the question was: “What will you do for Me?” In the same
way, Jesus wants us to share with others. The Holy Spirit will always nudge us to do it.
We are blessed so that we can bless others.
(The drawing of “The Praying Hands” by Albrecht Durer is a story of love and sacrifice of
the older brother Albert Durer that has far reaching impact in the growth of Christian faith.
It was the age of Reformation when the bible was made available to the common people.
Albert’s sacrifice enabled Albrecht to put bible stories in pictures so that the common
people could understand the Bible better)

Today Jesus is asking us: “Do you love Me?” then, “Feed my sheep” You are now My
hands in the world, My mission is now your mission – “as the Father has sent me so I
send you” (John 20:21)

The Church “Reach Out” series is a theme that was envisioned last October. It is a call to
reach out to communities, not just from our place of abundance, but even from our place
of lack. There’s something powerful when we give and reach out and share even though
we struggle from our lack, not just in finance, but in time, talent and ability. God is our
source and provider.

Questions:
1. Share testimonies of God’s goodness and kindness

2. In your daily conversations and contacts share how you can direct people to the Bread that
truly satisfies.

3. Jesus’ image of the fully realized Kingdom of God is a banquet – the Messianic banquet
where every tribe and nation will be present at the table and where there will be an
abundance of food and fellowship. How should this image of the future of those who belong
to Jesus affect our attitudes and the way we live and act now?