So It Begins

A sermon on John 21:9-17

When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.”

Let us remember together that our sacred story isn’t just a story we are called to listen to — but promises we are called to live into. Can we be as brave as the stories we tell? Can the truth of who we are, of whose we are — dominate the landscape with light — banishing the shadows? Will we follow after Jesus close enough that we are covered by the dust of his feet? And as we follow Jesus, from dust to glory, can we leave footprints of grace & mercy, as we journey gently in this world? This is our calling. This anthem of hope. As God gives us courage to enter the story, to enter the song — to find God with us & within us, as close as our next breath. Breathing in the grace of this moment. Each moment as we journey — for our God is the God who journeys with us.

So I invite you now — to take a deep breath, exhale, take a deeper breath, exhale. Lean in, draw near. Let us hear the waves of the sea pounding the disciples’ boat — smell the fish cooking over the warmth of the charcoal fire — in the early morning when light is still crowded with shadows. Let us see Jesus & thus see ourselves in the light of a new dawn.

So it begins.

Now when we come to our sacred story, we must ask the text questions. We honor the Bible’s literary diversity, that each book has its own author, original intended audience, a unique context, culture, genre. We ask — where would find this book in a library? Is it fiction, nonfiction, poetry, history, with the comics, newspapers or magazines, maybe best sellers? We also ask the text — when and where is the story unfolding? What is the message of this story? And so what? How then shall we live?

So my friends. Let’s start at the very beginning…

When & where — John 21 verse 4 tells us that this story begins in the early light of morning. Why is this important? “Early in the morning, while it was still dark” this same phrase signals the beginning of the resurrection story as well. As the shadows are just about to give way to the light of a new dawn. “While it was still dark…” Our sacred story itself holds space for shadows & weeping. Our sacred story gives space for the holy work of grief, of mourning, the wrestling with uncertainty, doubts. When we stand at the tomb of all we had hoped for. When there is only the darkest valleys & valleys of dry bones. Our sacred story honors and blesses the work of our hearts & our hands “while it is still dark…”

In our sacred story — “It is finished” is transformed to “so it begins”

by the resurrection hope and light of Christ. When, what & where. Early in the morning, while it is still dark. The disciples are out fishing. Fishing on the Sea of Galilee. (21:1)

We find the disciples fishing. Until my years doing grief work as a hospice chaplain I thought this odd. Frustrating even. How could they be fishing? Seriously? As our teenagers would say — you’ve got to be kidding me?

They know Jesus is risen and has given them a purpose. Verse 1 tells us this story isn’t the first, or the second, but the third time Jesus appears to them after the stone was rolled away, the grave could not hold him, and the story continued. The last words they heard him say, poured out on the cross were “it is finished.” God claims us as God’s own. Now standing in their midst - - risen, alive, in the flesh so they could see and touch His nail-pierced hands. Jesus says “peace be with you. I am sending you.”

After He appears to them the first time, they stay, hiding behind locked doors, captive by their fear. Where Jesus finds them a second time 8 days later, still hiding. Jesus again speaking the words “peace be with you.”

But how can there be peace - - when the disciples are still wrestling with unresolved guilt, the pain of their failures, their betrayal of Jesus and betrayal of who He called them to be? And after this second time Jesus appears to them, Peter declares to the disciples: I’m going fishing. Yes, fishing.

I have come to understand that when we are journeying, heavy laden in the shadows of grief — we do what we know. We do what we know. We find comfort in the tasks, the mundane, the familiar busyness that gives our minds some purpose to focus on outside of ourselves so that the grief doesn’t swallow us whole or we become numb to the world around us. We do what we know. So they went fishing, on the Sea of Galilee.

Remember with me that Jesus first calls Peter to be a disciple, here at the Sea of Galilee. “Simon Peter and his brother Andrew were putting nets into the sea for they were fishermen. They immediately they dropped their nets & followed after Him. (Matthew 4:18-20).

And we remember that on another early morning, Jesus walks on water toward the disciples’ boat in a storm. Scripture says the boat was slammed by the waves because the wind was against it. There isn’t light enough for them to see that it is Jesus. The disciples are afraid thinking it is a ghost, but Peter says “Lord, if it is you. Tell me to come.” So Jesus calls Peter out of the boat to walk on water (Matthew 14:26-32).

But the moment Peter looks down, away from Jesus to see the waves he begins to sink. Peter cries out “Lord save me.” Jesus reaches out His hand and says “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” Here it’s worth asking - - is this question asking Peter why he doubted Jesus… or is Jesus asking Peter why did you doubt yourself? When they climb into the boat together, the winds immediately cease, the water become quiet. And we can almost hear You lead me beside still waters….

Many of Peter’s faith formation moments were on the water. Why?!

Jesus always meets us - - right where we are. And calls us to come — just as we are. And Jesus calls us to follow Him to become all that we are created to be.

And in our passage today, on yet another early morning, when light is still crowded with shadows, here is where we finally see questions that change the story, Peter’s story, questions that will change our story too. Jesus has a meal prepared of fish, of bread waiting. For we see Jesus clearly when we come to the table…

The first question he asks Peter is, “Do you love me more than these?" (John 19:16) And then the second and third time, he asks Peter, whom he calls Simon son of John, "Do you love me?" (John 19: 17) The first two times, Peter responds, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." (John 19: 15-16). Then the third time, perhaps frustrated or hurt and wondering if Jesus believed him the first two times, he speaks a little more firmly saying, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” (John 19: 17)

Now we hear so much about Peter denying Jesus 3 times. From the time we’re kids in Sunday school if you grew up in the Church. Every year during Holy Week as we journey with Jesus toward the cross, the tomb, the grave we hear Peter deny Jesus 3 times. My friends, beloveds of God. Today I want you to also hear, really hear Jesus ask this question that changes the story. Jesus asks this question of Peter not once, not twice but yes, 3 times.

Why?! It’s certainly not because Jesus doesn’t believe Peter.

It’s because of how much Jesus does indeed believe *in* Peter.

Jesus offers Peter forgiveness, fully redeeming Peter’s failure with each “do you love me?” And allowing Peter to hear his own voice say “yes Lord I love You.” In forgiving Peter Jesus gives Peter permission to forgive himself. And this changes everything. How we see ourselves in the light of a new dawn Because, friends, it isn’t different with us. Jesus is the same yesterday, today, forever. Just like Jesus was a work in Peter’s story — Jesus is at work in each of our stories, weaving the past chapters, with the present moment & the greater things yet to come - - like a stained glass window, the broken pieces of our stories are brought together to shine the light of Christ, the life-affirming, hope-filled promises of God - - with the intention to redeem and restore each of us and all parts of us. For we know that the dark shadows at the foot of the cross give way to the light of the empty tomb.And our sacred story is this: “It is finished” has become transformed to “so it begins” by the resurrected hope and light of Christ.

So it begins. The story continues. So it begins. With us.