Resurrecting Hope: When Jesus Shows Up

We have already come across this chapter in this series; just a few weeks ago, we looked at Jesus’ re-commissioning of Peter, which happens after today’s passage in verses 15-19 of John chapter 21. Remember that Jesus’ words to Peter are forward-looking; Jesus gives Peter the three chances to once again profess his love for Jesus and he commissions him with the command; “feed my sheep.” So there is something happening in this Johannine epilogue that shifts the focus from what Jesus has done, to what the disciples are now going to do. And what I would like to suggest is that, as is always the case with Jesus, the process is as important as the teaching. We know this to be true; the words of Jesus cannot be separated from the way of Jesus. Put another way, how Jesus teaches is as important as what Jesus teaches. So I’d like us to look together at the how of this miraculous encounter. What happens when Jesus shows up, and what can we learn from the how of Jesus’ interaction with his followers.  And I have a request for you today; as we dive into the story, don’t just dissect it with your intellect it--feel it in your heart. Imagine in your mind’s eye the scene as it unfolds before us. Smell the salt air and the scent of fresh-caught fish. So what do we notice when Jesus shows up in this story? I think the first thing we notice is what happens before Jesus gets there. It’s an early morning at the edge of the Sea of Tiberias. Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, James and John the sons of Zebedee and two other disciples were together. And notice what it says in verse 3: Peter declares to the group; “I am going fishing.”  Not; “Let’s go fishing” or “Do you guys want to fish with me?” No; “I am going fishing.” And then notice what his companions say right back to him; “We will go with you.”
This may seem like a small, insignificant narrative detail. But remember where Peter is in this story. He made perhaps the three biggest mistakes in his life when he denied Jesus over the course of the crucifixion. This interchange happens in the moments before he is graciously re-commissioned. He could be riddled with shame and guilt; not sure where he stands with his friends. Perhaps so ashamed that he couldn’t even assume they would want to go fishing with him. So in a way he offers them the opportunity to say no. “I’m going fishing.” perhaps underneath that statement is a hidden hope that his friends might choose to join him; and they do. A small act of solidarity among friends. 
I wonder whether this small, loving act could be read as evidence of the Holy Spirit already at work among them. Think about it; In the chapter preceding this one, the risen Christ appears to these very men and breathes the Holy Spirit upon them (20:22; “Receive the Holy Spirit. Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” 
This competitive group, so ready in previous months and days to jockey with each other for position, in this moment receive their friend; “you will not go alone. We will go with you.” It is a small and significant mercy. And what we learn is that when Jesus shows up, the broken are befriended.

Peter was not shunned. His friends showed up for him. And he was not left alone. In much the same way that Jesus came alongside the Samaritan Woman at the well, these disciples came alongside Peter in solidarity and friendship. 
And then Jesus himself showed up in the flesh; but as was the case with Mary Magdalene at the tomb, the disciples journeying to Emmaus, the disciples didn’t recognize him at first. It took a miracle to open their eyes; but not just any miracle. A particular one; a miracle that met their need. Verses 5-6 tell us that Jesus, observing form the shore, comments; “children, you have no fish, have you?” When they answer that yes, in fact, they don’t have any fish, Jesus invites them to cast their nets one more time, and suddenly the net fills with one hundred and fifty-three fish, the text tells us. It is then, finally, that they recognize Jesus. As we observe Jesus’ way with the disciples in this passage we notice a second characteristic that happens when Jesus shows up: Needs are met. Specific, particular needs; and they are met in such a way that it becomes clear to all involved that Jesus is behind it. 
Specific, particular needs; and they are met in such a way that it becomes clear to all involved that Jesus is behind it. 
A third thing we notice when we observe Jesus’ way in this encounter is that the hungry are fed…

It’s interesting isn’t it, that meals at table play such a prominent role in Jesus’ resurrection appearances. If we look at all the appearances of the risen Christ that happen after the empty tomb, we notice that they happen around tables; in Mark 16:14, he meets the disciples as they are seated around a table. In Luke he reveals himself to the disciples in Emmaus as they break bread together, and then he appears to the whole group of disciples and ate food to show he was real. And of course here in John, he appears to the disciples as they are working on the water and cooks for them himself. If, as we read so many times in scripture, Jesus’ way of teaching is particular and intentional, with every word and action pregnant with meaning, then this must not be a coincidence. Jesus’ way is to feed the hungry; not just physically, but spiritually, as we see he does with Peter in the next passage.  When Jesus shows up, the hungry are fed; and fed abundantly. Remember how Jesus turned water into wine at the wedding at Cana; his first miracle. How he fed thousands with just a few fish and some bread. Where Jesus shows up there is abundance; Jesus’ way is one of extravagant hospitality--his is the way of more than enough.
There are many ways to hunger; and perhaps it is true that the simplest way to show we have love to give is in the sharing of our food. Think of the conversations that might spring up around a table generously shared; what deeper needs might become evident once the need for the nourishment of our bodies is met. When is the last time you opened your table? What happened? What might happen next time?
We serve such a generous God. Take a moment to place yourself in the story. Jesus quietly observes his friends out on the boat; perhaps he noticed their loving response to Peter earlier that morning. He sees the empty net. Gently inquiring, he playfully urges them to lower their net just one more time. He laughs with them in delight when they finally realize who it is as their net strains to hold its catch. Then while they are busy hauling in their huge haul, he goes about the quiet work of building the fire; perhaps the disciples feel the warmth of it as they come in from the water’s chill. They hear the hissing and crackling of the wood and see the warm, welcoming face of their friend and their Messiah, inviting them to breakfast. What better way to give courage to these men, who have been through so much and yet still have so much to do? Jesus offers them the simplest thing in the world--love, in the form of fish, bread, and a warm fire.
John 20 tells us that in the first meeting the risen Jesus has with his disciples in a room darkened by fear, Jesus blesses his friends with peace; he commissions them and breathes the Holy Spirit upon them. And then, it seems, the story ends; but for this wonderful little epilogue in chapter 21, where we learn the character of jesus’ way in the world--a way that has been passed on to us, the church. In much the same way that Peter and the disciples find their brokenness healed, their needs met, and their hunger satisfied, so we can be nourished, healed and provided for as we grow to know Jesus better.
Where is there brokenness in your life? What is the empty net in your life? Where are you hungry? Jesus wants to come to you, meet your need and nourish you today--and he invites you to do the same to others. This is why we are disciples of Jesus Christ. Not only do we have hope; we can pass that hope on to others. What does it look like when Jesus shows up?
This is true for you; it is true for me; and it is true for everyone. May we not keep this good news to ourselves, but surprise those around us with the generous, abundant grace of God in Jesus Christ, as we listen for and obey the promptings of the Holy Spirit, in Jesus’ name.
Pastoral Prayer Lord, save us from ourselves. We continue to do the same things over and over, expecting different results. Lord, save us from doing too much. We go fishing every day, not noticing you waiting with a meal on the beach.  Lord, save us from doing too little. We say we love you, and yet so often we neglect your sheep. Lord, save us from ourselves. Help us to hear and respond when you say, "Follow Me."
Lord, in our mind’s eye we imagine you, smiling over a crackling fire, offering us nourishment after hours of hard work. A friend and savior; a walking miracle; God with us. Help us to receive your smile of love washing over us; reminding us that we are loved; and not only us but the whole world. Your fire beckons all of us to come and be fed. Your Spirit invites us to go and feed others; “feed my sheep” you told Peter. And so, may we open our tables, stoke our fires, and offer your nourishment to a hungry world. We pray these things in the name of Jesus as together we pray the prayer our savior taught us….
Lord’s Prayer Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
Benediction:
I share this Celtic blessing with you as we depart from this place:
May God bless the world in which you move, and bless your home and bless your friends. May God bless the eyes with which you see, and bless the ears with which you listen. May God bless the way you use your hands, bless the way you employ your tongues.   And the blessing of God Almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. In the name of Christ: AMEN.