Message 04-22-07

 

Series:            Lectionary

Scripture:            John 21: 1-19

 

Title:                                        What is that to you?

 

 1Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Tiberias. It happened this way: 2Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together.

 

            Seven – fullness – this was a complete representation of the church

 

3"I'm going out to fish," Simon Peter told them, and they said, "We'll go with you." So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

 

            Directionless – Peter falls back to routine

 

 4Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.

 

            Seeing but not realizing that it is Jesus

 

 5He called out to them, "Friends, haven't you any fish?"
      "No," they answered.

 6He said, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

 

            They give it a shot

 

 7Then 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 around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.

 

            “He belted his outer garment” – was lightly dressed. He may have tied it up and carried it in.

 

 

 8The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. 9When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.

 

            “Bread and fish” – Jesus feeds them the meal that represented his providing for them. The multiplication of the bread and the fish meant the most to the earliest disciples.

 

 10Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish you have just caught."

 11Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn.

 

            So Peter drags ashore the catch and like good fishermen they know what the catch is – they count it. “None got away”.

 

12Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." None of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord. 13Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.

 

            And now Jesus pulls Peter aside and does work in his heart.

 

 15When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?"
      "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you."
      Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."

 16Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?"
      He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."
      Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."

 17The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"
      Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you."

 18Jesus said, "Feed my sheep. I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." 19Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!"

 

How does God recreate his relationship with us, when we fail him? He comes to us. He comes and says, “Hey this is about you and me. I know the big thing happened. I know you’re wondering about all the spiritual stuff and how you fit and whether you’re “fit”. But it’s all about you . . . and . . . me. It’s all about us. So how are we doing? Do you love me?

 

What’s the process?

            He comes to us in a way we’ll understand.

            He demonstrates his presence through power.

            He speaks to our hearts even when we are ashamed or confused.

            He asks us if we love him.

 

            Then he gives us a command.

 

How does the command work?

            It is the same command as before.

            It is simple.

            It is to make our lives like his life.

 

How do we respond?

            By obeying

            By doing what he does

            By learning him

 

“They follow me.” I call, they come; I choose the path, they trust and come after; I lead, they are safe in my care; I command in love, they respond in obedience and love. If this at times means the cross, they do not waver. One cannot hear without following, nor follow except he hear. It is all so simple and natural–just as in the case of sheep and their shepherd. R.C.H. Lenski