On Sunday, we continue with the resurrection stories. This time it's an unrecognized Jesus instructing the disciples where to fish. His instructions change the morning from fruitless to abundant. The large catch-153 large fish-helps awaken the disciples to who it is calling them "children" from the shore. "It's the Lord!" one of the disciples proclaims.
The reunion includes a meal on the beach, a way of uniting the disciples with Jesus once again (Holy Communion does that for us), and a questioning of Peter. The questions come in triplicate, matching Peter's three-fold denial before the crucifixion, about if he loves Jesus. It's worth noting that with each of Peter's affirmations of his love for Jesus comes a command to care for Jesus' sheep. Once again we're reminded that to love Jesus means we are to care for others; the two are inseparable.
The reunion includes a meal on the beach, a way of uniting the disciples with Jesus once again (Holy Communion does that for us), and a questioning of Peter. The questions come in triplicate, matching Peter's three-fold denial before the crucifixion, about if he loves Jesus. It's worth noting that with each of Peter's affirmations of his love for Jesus comes a command to care for Jesus' sheep. Once again we're reminded that to love Jesus means we are to care for others; the two are inseparable.
The scene ends with a clear command from Jesus: follow me.
There's much in this story that is instructive for the church: the abundance that comes from obeying Jesus' direction, the unity formed around a meal, the active service that accompanies loving the Lord, and the ongoing command to follow where Jesus leads.
One detail that shouldn't be lost is the number of fish we are told were caught-153. That's a rather specific number. In the sanctuary on Sunday, we'll explore what that number might mean. We'll also see some connections between John 20:1-19 and the other appointed scriptures for the day (Revelation 5:11-14 and Acts 9:1-20). In the Well, the focus will be on the feast that Jesus offers. It will be another good day of worshiping our resurrected Lord.
There's much in this story that is instructive for the church: the abundance that comes from obeying Jesus' direction, the unity formed around a meal, the active service that accompanies loving the Lord, and the ongoing command to follow where Jesus leads.
One detail that shouldn't be lost is the number of fish we are told were caught-153. That's a rather specific number. In the sanctuary on Sunday, we'll explore what that number might mean. We'll also see some connections between John 20:1-19 and the other appointed scriptures for the day (Revelation 5:11-14 and Acts 9:1-20). In the Well, the focus will be on the feast that Jesus offers. It will be another good day of worshiping our resurrected Lord.