Third Sunday of Easter
April 17, 2010
It is the Lord!
John 21:19-31
Do You See Jesus?
Alleluia, Christ is Risen. He is Risen indeed, Alleluia!
Do You See Jesus/
Today we have a simple sermon with a simple Gospel message. And that sermon is simply this: Jesus is alive. He is very much alive…and standing by your side.
Jesus is here with you here today. Do you see him? Do you see Jesus? And do you recognize him when you see him?
What I am saying is that Jesus Christ is risen from the dead and that He lives and rules, and He appears to us in sickness and in health, at work and play, and in the middle of life’s routine, and that he puts our minds at peace with his closeness and his help. Jesus is alive. And so now EVERY day is an Easter day.
But do you see him? Do you see Jesus? And do you recognize him when you see him? Do you realize “It is the Lord?”
Gone fishing
"I'm Going Fishing," says Peter
This question comes to us in another one of those fishing stories from the bible. Jesus had already appeared to his disciples twice, and still, Good Friday’s grief had not yet gone away. The news of the resurrection was just too much for them. Too wonderful, too impossible to be true.
“I’m going fishing,” Peter said. “We will join you,” six more added.
So there they were (Peter, James and John, and four others) back in the familiar waters of their youth, pre-Jesus and pre-Good Friday.
Now that their lives were shattered and confused, what was left except to go back to the Sea of Galilee and try to put things back in place again? Maybe they could get their heads in order. Fishing is a good way to clear one’s head.
Without Jesus We Can Do Nothing
But like a lot of fishing parties that I know, this one wasn’t too successful. Without Jesus, they can do nothing. All night long they fished and their nets kept coming up empty.
But as dawn began to break, they saw a stranger on the shore who called out through the morning fog, “How’s fishing? Caught anything this morning?”
And when they answered “No,” he told them to throw out their nets again and this time on the right side of the boat, and when they did, they couldn’t pull them in. The nets were full of fish. Jesus provides for them with an unlimited supply.
An Unexpected Appearance of the Lord
Hadn’t something like this happened once before when Jesus first called them as his disciples? Well, it does not matter. The point is that they saw the Lord, and it was John, who said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” John recognized his voice and his provision.
Jesus Blesses Us with His Help
And the other point is this, that Jesus gladdens with his presence and his help, he puts our minds at peace, usually when we least expect his presence and his help—which are always there even when we fail to recognize him.
The disciples were not in church when Christ appeared. They were not dressed up in fancy suits and ties, their hair in place, their shoes neatly cleaned and polished.
It did not happen the way we usually want it: for Jesus to appear only the times that we are ready for him. We prefer that Jesus email ahead for an appointment so that our house is tidy and the kids on their best behavior.
But the Risen Jesus is not limited to Sundays only. He is a constant companion in our lives, each and every day. Do you see him? Do you see Jesus? Do you recognize him when you see him?
Christ is a Constant Companion in our Everyday Lives
Jesus lives in every home—including yours—24/7. He is with us on the job, at school and in retirement.
And there are many things we thought just happened or we credited to luck or our good fortune that were, in fact, arranged with care by those same loving hands that once were pierced with nails for us.
Jesus is near at hand in times of sorrow, want, and need. He is the Savior still who “saves the day” each day for us to put our hearts at rest.
We Feast on Christ’s Provision
And so they came to shore, those seven in the Galilean ship, for breakfast with the Lord: to once again feast on his provision through no effort of their own.
Peter couldn’t wait, of course, but when he heard, “It is the Lord,” he jumped headlong from the boat.
And on the shore the Savior waited for them with fish already fried and the bread. And none of the disciples dare to ask Him, for they knew it was the Lord.
He took the bread and gave it to them, and they ate—now that should sound familiar!
This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples after he was risen from the dead. And they saw him. And they recognized him. And they knew, they just knew “It is the Lord.”
Christ Never…Never…Never Stops Feeding Us
Do you see Him? Do you see Jesus? Do you recognize Him? Do you know “It is the Lord” as He appears among life’s burdens. And picks up your load. And provides for you in unexpected ways. And as he blesses your joys and days of celebration?
Jesus is alive. And Jesus is doing good for you. And Jesus is always near at hand to put your mind at peace and to provide in time of need.
And it is a great reminder when we gather with Jesus at this table—this breakfast table—week after week and he continues to reveal his presence in our lives through bread and wine.
Jesus is not a Lord long dead in Joseph’s tomb. Jesus is a risen, living Lord who never stops…never stops…never stops…never stops feeding us with his grace and love.
Those Who Are Fed are Sent
And those who are fed are “sent.” We are “sent out” to feed others. The charge to Peter is our charge.
Three times it is said. Three times. Once for each denial. “Simon son of John, do you love me more than fishin’ even with a record haul? Be honest now. Be honest.” “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” “Feed my lambs.” “Tend my sheep.” “Take care of the flock.”
The presence of Jesus as the living Lord calls us all to mission. We who see Jesus active in our lives can do no other than speak the things that we have heard and seen
Our time with Jesus is not designed for our own personal comfort and pleasure, but as the very power that propels the Gospel witness on the most gigantic fishing expedition ever undertaken.
So, let’s hear it then. Tell others! Have you seen Him?
Do you see Jesus present and active in your life? Do you recognize Him when you see him? If so, do what John did and let it be known: “It is the Lord!”
Alleluia, Christ is risen! He is risen indeed, Alleluia!
© Pastor Paul Jaster