Debbie
Cato
John
21:1-19 and Acts 9:1-19
Fairfield
Community Church
May
1 2022 3rd Sunday of Easter
Holy God, Wipe away
all the distractions in our minds this morning.
Open our eyes that we may see only you. Open our hearts that we may feel
your Spirit stirring inside us. Open our ears to hearing of your Word, read and
proclaimed and then show us what to do with what we hear and feel. Amen.
Jesus Chooses Unexpected Leadership
For the disciples,
the last week has been overwhelming. It has
been filled with tension and emotions. They
were on an emotional high when they entered Jerusalem with Jesus followed by
extraordinary events in the temple. They
had a Passover meal with Jesus like no other before and an intense experience
in the Garden of Gethsemane. There was the unexpected betrayal by one of their
own, an armed arrest of Jesus himself, a series of denials by Peter, a mock
trial of sorts, a jeering mob, and the bloody execution of Jesus – the one they
thought was the Messiah. It only makes
sense that during the hours following Jesus’ death, the disciples were crushed
and numb, overcome by deep grief. After
all, the human spirit can take only so much.
Then came the events after the women found the empty tomb – another overload
of emotions. The resurrection of Jesus was
so amazing that Jesus had to be seen to be believed.[1]
It makes
sense that the disciples needed some time and emotional space to
assimilate
what they had experienced, to process all their emotions. Following Peter’s
lead, they return to their familiar world.
“I am going
fishing,”
Peter announced, and the others said they would go with him.
Dirty, wet and tired after fishing
all night and catching nothing, the disciples follow Jesus's command to re-cast
their nets one more time. The result is the miraculous catch of 153 fish. Strange
number – 153; but it just suggests the superabundant generosity of God.[2]
After hauling their fish ashore, the disciples are met by Jesus and "a charcoal fire" or what I would call a BBQ. Jesus greets them with welcoming words, "come and have breakfast." [3]
In the Gospel
of John, this is the 3rd time Jesus appears to his disciples. The 3rd time they see him; they have continued
proof that Jesus rose from the dead.
Just because
the disciples retreat to their familiar trade of fishing does not mean that
Jesus is not with them. He is waiting to
serve and nourish them. Christ provides
the bountiful catch, He prepares the meal, and He shares BBQ fellowship with
them. He talks and eats with his
friends. Christ is indeed risen and alive.
He’s doing normal things like eating and talking with friends.
Now here's
the highpoint. Here’s what I think is
important. While they are all warming themselves by the campfire after eating
breakfast, Jesus does his thing. He quietly asks Peter if he really loves
him. He asks him not just once, but he three
times, "Peter, do you really love me?" Three times Peter replies,
"Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." And then three times Jesus
responds, "feed my sheep."
What does this remind you of? What does this make you think of? The Apostle John writes how "Peter was hurt" by Jesus's three questions. Maybe it was because when Jesus asked the question three times, it provoked a painful memory of Peter’s denial of even knowing Jesus three times standing and warming himself by another “charcoal fire.”
Just a few days earlier, Peter had stood around a “charcoal fire” during the arrest of Jesus, when he denied three times that he even knew Jesus, after bragging that he would never desert him like the others would. John describes how "it was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter was also standing with them, warming himself".
But, despite Peter’s triple denial at the first fire the night of Jesus’ arrest, and the triple query at the second fire this morning of the breakfast barbeque, Jesus reaffirms Peter three times with the words, "Feed my sheep." And so, Peter was able to forgive himself, realizing that Jesus forgave him. Peter picks up the broken pieces to become the movement's unlikely but undisputed leader. There are three lists of the twelve apostles in the gospels, and in all three of them the imperfect and impulsive Peter is listed first.
In our
reading from Acts this morning, we hear the story of Paul's Damascus road
conversion, which is mentioned eight times in the New Testament. The greatest
persecutor of the church becomes its greatest evangelist, eventually traveling
over 10,000 miles to spread the gospel before dying a martyr's death in Rome.
Before his dramatic conversion, Paul "breathed out murderous threats." He imprisoned believers and tried to exterminate the church. He says that he was proud of his righteous zeal.
Even as an old man Paul was haunted by his sordid past,
writing to his young protege Timothy: "I was once a blasphemer and a
persecutor and a violent aggressor." He called himself "the worst of
sinners." But, like Peter, Paul made peace with his broken past and his
shadow self, writing: "forgetting what is behind and straining toward what
is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called
me heavenward."[4]
It's incredible that these are the leaders Jesus chose to
lead his movement when he would ascend to be with His Father. He chose someone who denied knowing him three
times out of fear to lead spreading the good news of the Kingdom of God to the
Jews. He chose someone who killed his
followers and did everything possible to kill his movement to teach the good
news and start churches in the Gentile communities. Truly God’s grace!
Both men would be bold and courageous in their leadership,
using their shortcomings and past ways to teach about the never-ending forgiveness
and expansive grace of Jesus Christ.
Christianity would spread across the then-known world under Peter and
Paul’s leadership with the help of the other apostles and soon to be new
leaders they would develop and teach and train.
So, how dare us think God cannot use us! What are our shortcomings compared to those of Peter or Paul’s? I know – without knowing specifics, that most every one of you think you cannot be used by God. You are not “good enough”, there is something wrong with you, something holding you back.
When I felt called to seminary, I didn’t think I could be a
pastor for a long time. I wasn’t reverent
enough. I was too full of sin. I was too broken. I had been in an abusive marriage. There were too many skeletons in my
closet. The call was really strong, but
I thought God was wrong. It held me
back.
But God has used all those things in my life in my
ministry. I think those things that I
thought prevented me from being used by God have made me a better pastor. They have helped me relate to people. They have helped me be compassionate. They have helped me remain humble.
You are no different.
You don’t have to be a pastor, but God uses everyone in his Kingdom. He used Peter and Paul. He used Mary Magdalene. He uses me for goodness sake!
On June 5th, we are going to figure out what the
values of our church are together. What
is it that is important to our church? We are a small church and everyone’s
input is important. Everyone’s insight
is needed. That is the first place you
can participate. That is the first place
we need you. Every one of you. If you are missing, we will miss your
insight, your input.
If we are going to bring life into this church, we are going to need everyone’s gifts and talents. Whatever shame or guilt you are holding onto, let it go. God has forgiven you. You are worthy. There is a place for you. You are gifted. You are loved. You are needed.
Jesus is present in whatever you are doing. He is waiting to serve and nurture you. He asks, “Do you love me?” “Then, feed my sheep.” We can do it together. Amen.
compared to those of Peter or Paul’s? I know – without knowing specifics,
that most every one of you think you cannot be used by
God. You are not
“good enough”, there is something wrong with you, something
holding you back.
When I felt called to seminary, I didn’t think I could be a
pastor for a long time. I wasn’t reverent
enough. I was too full of sin. I was too broken. I had been in an abusive marriage. There were too many skeletons in my
closet. The call was really strong, but
I thought God was wrong. It held me
back.
But God has used all those things in my life in my
ministry. I think those things that I
thought prevented me from being used by God have made me a better pastor. They have helped me relate to people. They have helped me be compassionate. They have helped me remain humble.
You are no different.
You don’t have to be a pastor, but God uses everyone in his Kingdom. He used Peter and Paul. He used Mary Magdalene. He uses me for goodness sake!
On June 5th, we are going to figure out what the
values of our church are together. What
is it that is important to our church? We are a small church and everyone’s
input is important. Everyone’s insight
is needed. That is the first place you
can participate. That is the first place
we need you. Every one of you. If you are missing, we will miss your
insight, your input.
If we are going to bring life into this church, we are going
to need everyone’s gifts and talents.
Whatever shame or guilt you are holding
onto, let it go. God
has forgiven you. You are worthy. There is a place for you. You are gifted. You are loved. You are needed.
Jesus is present in whatever you are doing. He is waiting to serve and nurture you. He asks, “Do you love me?” “Then, feed my sheep.” We can do it together. Amen.
[1] Feasting on the Word. Year C, Volume 2. Lent Through Eastertide. Third Sunday of Easter. John 21:1-19.
Pastoral Perspective. Pg.
422. Gary D. Jones.
[2]
[2] https://www.journeywithjesus.net. Debi Thomas.
April 24, 2022. A New Newness.
[3] https://www.journeywithjesus.net. Debi Thomas.
April 24, 2022. A New Newness.
[4]
https://www.journeywithjesus.net. Debi Thomas.
April 24, 2022. A New Newness.
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