| April 13, 2008
You are welcome to reflect on this message
Emptiness isn't something we normally associate with Easter. Fullness and celebration are Easter words. But on two occasions the 4th gospel tells of the empty tomb in Jerusalem and empty nets in Galilee. The story of Jesus’ 3rd post-resurrection appearance is told in the 2nd ending of the 4th gospel. And it begins like this: "After these things..." After Jesus was crucified, buried, and raised from the dead. Those things. "After these things, Jesus showed himself again." Why show yourself? What more could he do for an encore, after rising from the dead? Jesus had some unfinished business with the church. Jesus had to "show himself" because his disciples had given up; and put on their St. Jude medals ‑‑ "The St. for a hopeless cause," when they left Jerusalem and gathered at an old familiar spot by the Sea of Galilee.
In the backwash of Easter, the disciples are standing around abject; not a clue about what to do. I guess they got tired of having the rug yanked out from under them. Their messiah was big disappointment. They just weren't very good at the religion business. So they went back to what they used to be good at, the fishing business. Thus began the Christian faith, according to John ‑‑ with an empty hope, as the despondent followers of Jesus hung out a plaque that read: "Gone Fishing!" It was the one thing in which the forlorn disciples were experts. Ironically, it's what they were supposed to be doing before and after Jesus called them. The only difference being ‑‑ before, it was to earn a living. Afterwards, it was to answer a calling.
Fishing for fish is one thing, but fishing for people is a tricky business. Because it can become a business. And you end up with plenty of property to look after, but fewer people to inhabit it. I can remember back in the 50's when the fishing was pretty good. But the church business isn't faring so well. Today, a whole lot of folks don't want anything to do with a church. Neither did the disciples. So the church has gone full-circle, "fishing all night and coming up empty." And Jesus is still hoping we’ll try something different, because Lord knows, a whole lot of churches are running on empty.
Their problem was simple: fishing "on the wrong side of the boat." What's ours? Maybe we need to decide whether the gospel is about church growth or human liberation; numbers or service; culture or Christ? We can only imagine what Jesus would say to those of us out in our boats, "with nothing much to show for it?" All we know is what the church said‑he‑said then to those who hung out the "Gone Fishing" sign: "You children catching any fish?" I have a hunch it would have something to do with being a grace‑place.
Accepting one another is a lot harder than fishing. But I doubt any church will be attractive for long if it cares more about institutional security than human redemption. So they're floating around in the water with their empty nets. And Jesus is on the shore cooking up a unity meal. The one thing God wants more than anything, is for everybody to be on the same page. Jesus thought it was worth showing up for, if the church is to succeed.
Only John tells about two new disciples crowding into the boat with the others, ensuring that things were going to change from the way it used to be. That's OK with Jesus. There's always room for new disciples in his boat because his house was to be "a place of prayer for all nations." And wouldn't you know it? The new disciples go along with the old ones, reverting back to the old familiar ways, which consists of: putting in lots of meaningless effort. Fishing all night. Nothing to show for it.
So Jesus has to "show himself." The hope of the world told in a fish story! The painful part is that ol' nemesis "methodology." After Easter the disciples were demoralized and had to try something else. Change has not been a hallmark of the church. It was resisted then, like it is now. And if this story's indicative, we might need to stay close to where the hopeless live; whose dreams have turned to nightmares. It seems to be where Jesus works best, if they just listened to what he said.
Isn't this story really about those times when we're stranded out on the sea in the darkness, sensing that we've come to the end of something; unsure about where to turn or what to do next? You haven't graduated in life, till you've experienced that. That is your diploma, if you survive it.
It's also about making right what's gone wrong, a constant task for any church. So Peter tries to right his wrongs by going fishing. And with a sigh of relief, or resignation, the rest offer to go along too. And now, with no reason to go forward, Peter goes backward to how life used to be. What a symbol of the church! So unimaginative. Aimless. Flinging the nets over the side of the boat into the lake, only to haul them back into the boat dripping wet, as empty as their dreams. "What's the point?" The crucifixion makes no sense. The resurrection only confused them. Even the thing they thought they're good at, they can't do anymore. "That night, they kept coming up empty."
But then at sun‑up a Stranger on the shore wants to know if they've "caught anything?" They just shake their heads. "Nooooooo!" "Looky here. Ya'll might try your luck on the other side of the boat." "Yeah. Yeah.” To humor him, they do. But this time they're unable to haul in the net because of all the wiggling fish in it! Who is that dude? The beloved disciple is the first to figure it out: "It's the Lord!"
And Peter’s looking like a doofus! He's been fishing naked. So he puts his clothes on and then jumps into the water! Still inept, still getting it backwards. But the boat's too slow for Peter. So he starts swimming to Jesus, and forgot all about the fish, leaving it to the others to bring them in. Not a bad thing to do, when you're perplexed ‑ swim to Jesus. Peter's swimming for all he's worth. But I sense some hesitation in him. As he gets closer to shore, he slows down a bit, apprehensive about not only denying Jesus, but now denying his calling.
This is the second time Jesus interrupts Peter's fishing vocation. When he arrived on the beach, he found the "first breakfast." Not the "last supper." That was the final meal of their old life together in Jerusalem. Up in the Galilee, like on the road to Emmaus, this is a "resurrection breakfast," the first meal of their new life together, prepared by the only one who knows the recipe. Bread. Wine. And fish. For breakfast?
But John’s not interested in the menu. Because this is awkward for everybody. I mean, they're glad to see Jesus and all. But they know he didn't show up just for the fun of it. He’s the Host ‑‑ frying a hot meal for a much smaller multitude by the sea, where he once fed 5000. They munch in silence. Then Jesus winks at Peter and they take off down the beach. "Simon," says Jesus, "I need to know if you're still with me?” And Peter, pained by the question ‑‑ answers "Yeah Lord. You know me;" anguish in his voice. And then Jesus confronts him again. And once more for good measure. Each time Peter responds with all the sincerity he can muster. But no more bluster ‑‑ that was on display in the upper room.
Then Jesus does a curious thing, he changed the metaphor from fish to sheep: "Feed my lambs. Look after my sheep." John's Jesus is more interested in shepherding than fishing! And God’s church has it the other way around. Jesus is giving the church a chance to fill‑in the hole it dug for itself with 3 shovelfuls of love. Anybody can see the connection between Peter's 3‑fold confession of Jesus with his previous denials before the trial. But it’s not just the symmetry. Jesus isn't bringing Peter back where he was before. He's moving him beyond where he was previously. Good religion always does that.
And that's why the church is still here. Because courageous people along the way have responded when Jesus spoke the words that grabbed Peter in the first place: "Follow me!" But never back to where you were. Always going forward, to where the Spirit leads. That's pretty scary. But Jesus only wants to know is two things: If they love him and if they'll follow him. And as it was then, so it is now, God's people are a lot better at loving Jesus than following him. Plenty of worship, but very little service.
In this second conclusion to the Fourth Gospel, Jesus made a gracious appearance for the benefit of a wounded fisherman. In the same way he returned for Thomas on Easter night, to nudge him from doubt to faith. Now he returns “for Pete's sake,” to prod him from faith to action. Jesus is always having to move his church from where it is to something better. Do you think in these post resurrection‑days, we need that as much as they did?
Life still gets dismal because it's mostly unfair. To live is to know firsthand about pain and failure, the frustration of lost causes and stabs in the back. That was the condition of the earliest church just after the resurrection of Christ. Spinning its wheels; going no place.
Somebody tacked this story onto the end of John's Gospel to remind those of us "who have not seen," that we're not alone when we've blown it. The Good Shepherd expects us to "follow him." And the Lamb of God intends for us to get busy doing something about his sheep. This is the only Voice that can turn our dead‑ends into new beginnings. And that voice is a gracious invitation: "Come and have breakfast."
Pastoral Prayer: 4‑13‑08
Equip us to watch over this flock that’s been entrusted to our care, the stranger, the sick, the lonely and isolated, the grieving and suffering. Challenge us and encourage us O God, for we need both direction and consolation. May this hour lift all who are down on themselves and call to Thy side those who can remember a day when they loved Thee more.
We’re grateful that you believe in us more than we believe in ourselves. Grant us what we need to be more like Jesus: a sharp mind, a tender heart, a forgiving spirit, indifference to money, appreciation for the scriptures, a readiness to pray, a clear vision of Thy, courage to do what’s right.
Give us the good sense to ignore the oratory of the hatemonger. Keep us honest about our own sins that we rise above the need for scapegoats. Spare us the folly of assuming our convictions are pure, while our opponent’s point of view is slanted with self-interest. Work Thy will through us, Dear Father. If not; then Thy will be done through others. May it be our joy and uppermost intention to rest in Thee, work for Thee, to become like Thee. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.
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