Easter Again (“Do you remember how to fish?”)

Paul Thiele’s message is here: Paul T message Easter

Overview

At the beginning of lent, Pastor Matt delivered a very interesting message about the calling of the first disciples (Luke 5: 1-11). The disciples (in their previous role as plain-spoken and plain-thinking fishermen) had been out all night without much success. After hearing Jesus speak and teach, they recognised him as more than just an expert fisherman and put down their nets to follow Jesus for life. This decision seems to be a disaster when Jesus is crucified. The disciples are scattered and depressed and infamously Peter (look at his actions in the Luke reading) denies his knowledge of Jesus. In his reflection on the John reading, Pastor Paul takes us on a long, strange trip. He showed us what the disciples and especially Peter had been though and what comes next after we recognise who Jesus is.

Prayer: Lord, we have celebrated through Easter your resurrection and the recognition of our new life in you. Help us to grasp that new life, to make it count, to live passionately and joyfully. We ask that you open our eyes and ears to your words through the readings and through your Spirit. Amen

Readings and Reflection Activity 1

Read again the Luke 5:1-11 section on the calling of the disciples. Then read John 21: 1-17

Take some time to reflect on the relationship between the two readings. Don’t be afraid to recognise the humour of the situation –as Pastor Paul suggested, Jesus certainly appeared aware of the irony involved here.

• If you had been one of the remaining 11 disciples, what would you have done?

Exploring the reading (John 21: 1-17)

Paul pointed out that it would have seemed to the disciples that there was nothing for it but to return to their day jobs. But it’s been three years and perhaps the technology had changed. Perhaps they weren’t much good to begin with and that is why Jesus chose them – remember it’s availability not ability that counts!

In the Luke reading, Peter recognises and proclaims the ‘lordship’ of Jesus and falls to his knees and recognises his own sinfulness. Three years later, Peter, like all of us, has some repenting to do. Jesus has invited Peter and the other disciples to breakfast. In today’s terms, Jesus has said: ‘Peter, let’s have a coffee.’ In his message, Pastor Paul brought the difficulty this moment to a very clear light. Peter has not been summoned to the office but in this moment of meal sharing it is awkward:

Now imagine Peter sitting in this chair. Is Jesus going to do it now? Is he finally going to let Peter have it for what happened last Friday?

Jesus asks him quietly, “Simon, son of John…do you love me?”

What kind of question is that? Surely Jesus knows. “Yes, Lord. Of course I do!”

Jesus accepts Peters answer, and replies, “Feed my lambs”.

Again Jesus asks, “Simon, son of John…do you love me?”

What? Is Jesus deaf? Did he not hear? “Yes, Lord. Of course I love you!”

“Feed my sheep.”

A third time Jesus asks, “Simon, son of John…do you love me?”

Why does he keep asking?? Does this man not know everything? Does he not know the secrets of every heart??

Distressed, Peter replies again, “Of course I do Lord! You know all things! You KNOW I love you!!”

“Feed my sheep”.

Reflection 2

• How would a business or an organisation handle Peter’s denial?  How would you have handled it?

It is common to say that instead of judging Peter, Jesus simply loves him. Like many simplifications, this is only partly true. As you know, there is not much that is simple about loving. Sometimes it is very difficult to ‘simply love.’

• As a group, think about the extent to which this is Jesus ‘simply loving’ Peter.

In the gospel stories, there are three denials and Jesus asks Peter three times about love. Each confession of love is met with a direction: ‘feed my lambs/sheep’.

• What do you make of the relationship between Peter’s confession of love and Jesus direction to feed lambs/sheep? How are we to understand and apply it to our lives today?

Group Application

Paul explored further the implications of Jesus’ words to Peter which are, of course, his words to us.

“As Jesus blessed Peter and gave him a mission, so Christ blesses you and sends you out on that same mission. Your mission is to become a practitioner of Christ-power, to be a living emblem of Christ’s unique way of living in the world! And believe me when I say that Christ’s way of living in this world remains unique in human history!! To be workers of Christ-power will make you the greatest servants the world has ever known or could ever know, because it comes from a grateful heart!’

• Identify some ways in which you as individuals can ‘feed the lambs and sheep’. How can you serve?
• As a group, how can you collectively serve? What could you volunteer to do?
• Paul used the word mission and it is a word that lost some flavour and favour in our times. But drawing up a mission statement for you and the group might be a very interesting and useful activity.
• Commit the above and the resolutions you make to prayer