“Don’t Get Too Comfortable” John 21:1-19, Easter 3C, May ‘22

 

1.                Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Heavenly Father, and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. The message from God’s Word on this 3^rd Sunday of Easter, and also as we celebrate the Rite of Confirmation for our Confirmands, is taken from John 21:1-19. It’s entitled, “Don’t Get Too Comfortable.” Dear brothers and sisters in Christ.

2.                The days after Easter are strange. We are slowly returning to our patterns of Church life and family life after the festivities of Easter. But, we need to be careful we don’t become too comfortable. June had been in St. Luke’s hospital for almost a week. They were treating her for pneumonia and trying to get her blood pressure under control. As June gained strength, she also gained perspective. If you walked into the room, she would tell you she appreciated the hospital staff. “They’ve done everything they can,” she would say, “to make me comfortable.” But what she wanted more than anything else was to go home. She wanted to sleep in her own bed. She wanted to sit in her favorite chair. She wanted to put this all behind her. There’s nothing like a hospital stay to help you appreciate the comforts of home.

3.                Maybe it was something like that for the disciples and Peter, out on the Sea of Galilee, late at night, fishing here in John 21. It really didn’t matter that their nets were coming up empty. What they were doing was familiar. They were fishing. The strain at the oars. The splash of water. The sweat on your back. The roughness of rope as you handle the nets. It was all good. The comforts of home. Life had been strange for three years. Things had gotten out of balance. At first, Jesus stood on the edge of the seashore as they fished. Then, somehow, He ended up the center of their lives. Wandering with Him from village to village, watching Him preach and heal the sick, going out themselves, “fishing for men” Jesus called it, and coming into towns where they cast out demons and healed the sick. Their world had changed. It opened up to reveal the nearness and the power of God. What could you do but follow Jesus?

4.                But then, just as quickly as it began, it ended. Their teacher, Jesus, died on a cross. In three days, Jesus, risen from the dead, appeared to them like a ghost. Except, He wasn’t a ghost. He was alive. He was with them... but not in the same way as before. Once again, they were faced with a question. How do you live in a world like that? Where Jesus has power over life and death?

5.                Maybe this is why they were out on the water in the middle of the night. They didn’t know the answer to that question. How do you live with Jesus who has risen from the dead? So, as they were searching for an answer, they returned to something familiar. The splash of water. The roughness of rope. Fishing. The comforts of home. This is all speculation, of course. John doesn’t tell us why they decided to go fishing. But what John does tell us is Jesus had decided to reveal Himself to them. “After this, Jesus revealed Himself again,” John writes in John 21:1. So in that time between Christ’s resurrection and ascension, the disciples return home. For a while, instead of fishing for men they fish for fish. On this particular day, the disciples don’t catch anything until Jesus appears on the scene. On the same lake where the disciples had a miraculous catch of fish three years earlier, history is repeated. John recognizes Jesus, and Peter, who was in the boat at the last amazing catch, immediately swims to Jesus.

6.                How strange it must have been for Jesus to see these men, men He had chosen and taught and fought and died for... fishing. It was like He was returning to the beginning, where He first found them on the seashore. So, He chooses to come to them again, through the comforts of home. “Children, you don’t have any fish, do you?” He asks in John 21:5. The question itself is revealing. Jesus uses a term for a small side dish, not necessarily fish. But in this context, talking to fishermen, one could assume it was fish. But, not a large catch of fish. No, this is a reference to a small side dish of fish. They don’t even have that. Jesus knows their need.

7.                Not only does Jesus reveal their need, but He also reveals His claim upon their lives. He calls them children. This is the only time in John' gospel Jesus addresses them this way. With a word, He captures His deep affection for them. Finally, Jesus speaks as one who has already seen and provided for their need. As when He first called His disciples, Jesus tells them to cast their net on the right side of the boat and they discover a haul of fish they can’t pull in (John 20:6). When the disciples get to the shore, they find a charcoal fire is already ready, with a fish on the fire, and some bread, enough for a small side dish of fish. Jesus invites them to experience the mystery of His presence once again.

8.                On the shores of this lake where Jesus had miraculously fed more than 5,000 people from a few loaves and a couple of small fish, He now provides a meal for His disciples. They eat and are satisfied, and more importantly, they know it is with their living Lord Jesus that they eat and drink. Three years prior at the first miraculous catch of fish, Peter was terrified and pleaded with Jesus: “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord” (Luke 5:8). This time, he swims toward Jesus, even though he had denied Jesus only a few weeks earlier. What’s the difference?

9.                When God confronts us with our sin, there are only two options—we can either run away from Him or run toward Him. In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve hid when they sinned. Today, others run away from Jesus because they refuse to acknowledge their sin as sin. When Peter witnessed the first miraculous catch of fish, he knew he was in the presence of God and begged Jesus to leave. But this time is different. Peter is aware of his sin. He had wept over his sin. He knows that since he denied Christ, our Lord had every right to disown him. But Peter doesn’t stay away. He doesn’t make excuses for his actions. Instead, he swims toward Jesus.

10.             And Peter is forgiven. Not only is he forgiven, but his ministry is also restored. He is to feed and tend the Lord’s sheep (John 21:15-19). He will serve as an under shepherd of Jesus the Good Shepherd. When we sin, the temptation is to flee from our Lord—to hide, to make excuses, to assume that our sin is too great to be forgiven. But there’s a better way—not separating ourselves from our Lord but coming before Him, acknowledging our sin, with full confidence that in mercy He will forgive, renew, and restore us.

11.             This is my prayer for our Confirmands today on this day of the Rite of Confirmation. Remember this day is not your graduation from Church. This is not the end of your life in the Church. This is the beginning of the rest of your lives, living as God’s children. God has created, redeemed, and called you to be His child. Just as Jesus calls His disciples children in our reading today, so you are called His child. Your identity, security, and meaning in life are bound up in Jesus. You are baptized, you receive the means of grace in God’s Word and Sacrament to remind you of the forgiveness of sins Jesus has won for you. May you be like Peter today in John’s Gospel, coming to Jesus and receiving the promise of His forgiveness throughout all the years of your lives.

12.             At the end of the night, at the edge of their emptiness, at the limits of their strength, Jesus reveals His presence. He enters into the comforts of home and there awakens his disciples to an even more comforting experience. The Lord of all creation lives and has come to care for them. No, they won’t remain in their homes. They will go out in mission to the ends of the earth. But they will be loved, and they will be led... by Jesus. He knows how to navigate this strange world. The One who died for them, now lives, and cares for them as He awakens them to His call.

13.             The days after Easter are strange. We are slowly returning to our patterns of Church life and family life after the festivities of Easter. But, we need to be careful we don’t become too comfortable with the comforts of home. For what Easter has taught us is how this world is changed. Jesus has risen from the dead and rules over all things. He not only saves us from sin but leads us in life from the comforts of home to the call of His Kingdom. There, at the end of our strength, is the beginning of His grace. Jesus has risen to bring you, His child, into His mission in His Kingdom. Amen. Now the peace of God that passes all understanding, guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, until life everlasting. Amen.

 

 

 

“It’s All About Jesus” John 20.19-31 Easter,2C April ‘22

 

1.                Christ is risen, He’s risen, indeed, alleluia! The message from God’s Word on this 2^nd Sunday of Easter is taken from John 20:19-31, it’s entitled, “It’s All About Jesus,” dear brothers and sisters in Christ.

2.                On every page in God’s Word, in every theme, in every major character and every major plot twist, we’re invited to see God’s unfolding work to make all things new and whole in Jesus. One of my favorite books to read is, “The Count of Monte Cristo,” by Alexandre Dumas. It’s more than a thousand pages of love, betrayal, prison, escape, murder, and above all revenge or justice. The book centers on Edmond Dantes as the central character. The entire plot is driven by what happens to him and what he does. Every single page is about Edmond Dantes (the Penguin Classics edition on Amazon is more than 1,200 pages).

3.                It was written nearly two hundred years ago, so I don’t feel too bad if I spoil some of the plot here, but I will avoid giving away any more than I must. Edmond Dantes was wronged, multiple times and in multiple ways. As a result, he bears the burden of trying to make things right. He alone bears the burden because no one else is in a position to restore order. So, he orchestrates a big plan to bring about the maximum amount of justice and he patiently executes each phase of this plan. The entire story revolves around Edmond Dantes.

4.                But here is the thing about reading, “The Count of Monte Cristo”: You can go dozens and even hundreds of pages without seeing or hearing from Edmond Dantes. It’s a big book. It is set in lots of locations, with lots of characters and subplots. And there are giant sections of the book where the name, “Edmond Dantes,” is nowhere to be found. But even those paragraphs, pages, and chapters in which Dantes isn’t mentioned, even those parts are all about Edmond Dantes and his plan to bring about justice.

5.                Sometimes you see him, sometimes you do not. He might not be speaking. People might not even know his name or his story. The character you are reading about might never have even heard of his existence. As a reader, there are times when you have no idea what he is doing. In fact, he might be acting through an agent or under an alias, but it is all about Edmond Dantes and what he is doing every step of the way. Once you realize this fact, that is when the story comes alive!

6.                We see these very themes in John 20. The disciples see Jesus, but then they do not. But then they do. What we see over these eight days beginning on Easter is just what Jesus said would happen. Jesus confused His listeners earlier in John 7:32-36 and in John 8:21-30 when He told them about the nature of His presence with them, and His hiddenness. Sometimes you see Him, sometimes you do not. Though John was referring explicitly to his own gospel account of Jesus’ life, his words in 20:31 are true of all of Scripture: “These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.” It is all about Jesus.

7.                Here in John 20, we learn that the disciples had blown it. In their sinful pride, they had vowed their allegiance to the Lord, but in the time of testing they had deserted Him. Most of them were nowhere to be found on Good Friday. They cowered in fear, horrified as the events of that dark day unfolded.

8.                Three days later they were still afraid, gathered together behind locked doors. They knew the tomb was empty but didn’t understand the significance of the events of that day. Suddenly, an uninvited guest was in their midst. A stone could not keep Jesus in the tomb and a locked door would not stop Jesus from coming to His disciples. His disciples deserved a harsh rebuke. They had turned away. Instead of accusations, though, there is absolution. Jesus says to them, “Peace be with you.” Sin is forgiven. Fears are removed. The relationship is restored. Unbelief dissipates.

9.                Not only would the apostles be forgiven, they would be sent out as forgivers. As the Father sent the Son, so the Son now sends out those who belong to Him. He breathes on them, but this is no ordinary breath—this is the promised Holy Spirit, bestowed upon them for their calling. They were to go forth telling others about the events of the past three days. But, they were more than eyewitness reporters. Their calling was to distribute the benefits of Christ’s death and resurrection. They were to proclaim repentance and forgiveness. To those who acknowledged their sin, they were under orders to forgive them. To those who refused to repent, they were to withhold forgiveness. As Christ’s saving mission was coming to a close, their mission was just beginning. They were to speak Christ’s words. They were to forgive in Christ’s name as they had been forgiven.

10.             Through His Church, absolution is proclaimed to repentant sinners. The Church calls pastors to speak as Jesus spoke and to forgive as Jesus forgave. Since Christ has given this authority to His Church, you not only get to learn about what Jesus did some 2,000 years ago, you actually receive what He accomplished for you on the cross. You not only learn that Jesus died for your sins, but your sins are forgiven. You not only discover that through Christ’s death and resurrection you are reconciled with the Father, but you receive that peace. You not only hear about who the Spirit is, but He comes and dwells in your heart. You can be certain that your sins are forgiven. You have your risen Lord’s word of absolution as a guarantee.

11.             It’s interesting to me how, “The Count of Monte Cristo” was originally published as a serial in eighteen parts over the span of a few years, though today readers hold the whole narrative in a single volume. We hold the fullness of God’s inspired revelation in a single volume, even though it was released over many hundreds of years. And when we read the narrative, we don’t always see the central character. You can go dozens and even hundreds of pages without seeing or hearing the name “Jesus” or His title of “Christ.”

12.             Sometimes you see Him, sometimes you do not. He might not be speaking. People might not even know His name or His story. The person you are interacting with might never have even heard of His existence. There are times when you have no idea what He is doing. In fact, He might be acting through an agent or under an alias, but it is all about Jesus the Christ, every single moment. Once you realize this fact, that is when the story comes alive!

13.             We do not journey with the Emmaus travelers in Series C (though we will meet them next year with Series A), but Luke 24:27 is a great complement to John 20:31: “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, [Jesus] interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.” In both of these post-Easter encounters, the Evangelists highlight how Jesus is the center of the story, even when we do not see Him.

14.             We continue to live in this very same truth. Human history, as recorded in Scripture, and to our present day, is full of thousands of pages of love, betrayal, prison, escape, murder, revenge, and justice. Some of these are the ugly consequences of sin. But despite how broken it has been, is, and may become, God alone bears the burden of restoring order and executing justice. And God brings all of this to completion in Jesus, “Who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification,” St. Paul writes in Romans 4:25.

15.             Whether we see Him as clearly as the disciples did on the evening of the first Easter, or whether He is hidden from our sight, as He was from theirs for the following seven days, we have the Word of God. And there, on every page, in every theme, in every major character and every major plot twist, we are invited to see God’s unfolding work to make all things new and whole in Jesus. “It’s All About Jesus.” Amen. Now the peace of God that passes all understanding, guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, until life everlasting. Amen.

 

 

“He Has Risen! He Is Now Here!” Luke 24:1–12 Easter,C, April ‘22

 

1.                         Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Heavenly Father, and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. The message from God’s Word on this Easter Sunday is taken from Luke 24:1-12, it’s entitled, “He has Risen! He is Now Here,” dear brothers and sisters in Christ.

2.                         Sometimes a sermon title can be accurate but still communicate the wrong message. I remember one Easter morning on which the pastor’s sermon title read: “He Is Not Here, He Has Risen.” The title came straight from the Bible. Lk 24:6 shouts that very truth. Jesus no longer could be found in the tomb. He was not there. The title was accurate. But that sermon came centuries later. The church held people waiting to hear that Jesus had risen from the dead . . . and he was there that morning. The title of the sermon needed to be altered just a bit. “Jesus Has Risen! He Is Now Here!” Changing not to now changes everything for us listening today. Confusion and fear give way to a confident faith and hope because Jesus has risen, because He is now here!

3.                         But back then, when the women met the angels, they needed to hear Jesus wasn’t in the tomb. They needed to be reminded of Jesus’ words that he would rise from the dead on the third day. They come to the tomb expecting to care for a dead body. When they arrive, they are confused. The stone is rolled off to the side. The tomb contains no body. Where is Jesus? His body had disappeared. They are at a loss as to what happened. Then the angels appear. These heavenly beings frighten the women. We sometimes imagine angels as babylike cherubs. But most often in the Bible, they are powerful beings that simply send someone to fall to the ground in fear and awe. The women do just that. They bow to the ground in front of the angels.

4.                         But the angels aren’t there to frighten the women. They have come to assure them and strengthen their faith. They do this with a simple message. Jesus isn’t in the tomb. He has risen. He has kept his promise. He died at the hands of sinful men. Now, on the third day, he has risen from the dead, just as he said. He’s not there, in that tomb. The women needed to hear that good news.

5.                         Watch what happens next. They remember. They believe. Even though Jesus isn’t standing there in front of them, even though all they’ve seen with their eyes is an empty grave and some angels, they believe. And with a living faith, they dash away to tell the disciples that wonderful news of the first Easter morning. Confusion and fear change to belief and hope. Soon they will see Jesus. They will know just exactly where he is. Not in the tomb. But with them. At that moment, though, Jesus is not there.

6.                         I wonder if maybe we struggle with the same emotions as the women did back then. We’re confused. We’re frightened. Not at a stone rolled away. Or by angels. But by what life simply throws at us that makes us ask, “Where is Jesus? He doesn’t seem to be here. And what is here is frightening.” A black man dies as a police officer kneels on his neck until he breathes no more. The country erupts with protests. All police seem to be demonized. Protests turn into riots and destruction. Vandalism goes unprosecuted. Black lives, blue lives, all lives battle it out. What could have been a moment for biblical justice to bring change and healing is lost, while anger, hate, and violence divide people into political camps. You can be left confused and afraid, wondering where Jesus is in this mess.

7.                         A pandemic sweeps across the nation, around the world. At first, we lock down together to do battle against this unseen enemy. We learn how to protect one another and ourselves, and keep our health care system from being overwhelmed. But as the months drag on, the fighting takes over. Something as simple as a mask divides people into camps, and we hear the battle lines drawn. Personal freedom—I don’t need to wear one. The virus isn’t that bad. 99 percent of those who get it survive. The media has overhyped the problem. We need to get people back to work. The loneliness and depression are worse than the virus. We want to get together for Christmas like we always do. But wait, doctors and nurses are exhausted. We’ve run out of ICU beds for those who are sick. Other surgeries have to be postponed, and cancer treatments suspended. Protect your neighbor and family members. Both sides claim political allies. Even in the church, the division rages, with some not attending if they have to wear a mask, and others not coming if not everyone is wearing a mask. You can be left confused and afraid, wondering where Jesus is in this mess.

8.                         The church suffers. Attendance goes down. Those who watched at first on the computer begin to drift away. Contributions disappear, and programs and staff need to be cut. Pastors and church workers grow weary and are even attacked for whatever they decide to do. Pastors can’t visit people in the hospitals and nursing homes. Many are ready to quit. You can be left confused and afraid, wondering where Jesus is in this mess. What we need to hear is that he has risen and he is here! Yes, he is now here.

9.                         Where? Imagine a baptismal font. Before the service, a member of the altar guild comes out and pours water into the basin. A white napkin is placed on the side, along with a baptismal certificate. The service begins and a family, with godparents, sits up front. The opening hymn ends, and the mom and dad, holding the baby, step to the font. Godparents are standing across from them. The pastor begins the liturgy. Soon the moment comes. The mother lowers her child over the water. Three times the pastor dips his hand into the basin and splashes water on the child’s head, all the while speaking the name of the child and the name of the triune God. Where is Jesus at that moment? Right there. He is risen from the dead. He is alive and now lives in that child. Faith and hope arise in the child and are renewed in those watching. Then remember—one time it was you who was brought into Jesus’ living presence at a baptismal font.

10.                     Where is Jesus? Look at the altar. Before the service, the altar guild brought out a cup and covered it with a white cloth. Wine in the pitcher is set beside it. Communion wafers are readied to be used. The service moves along until the pastor speaks familiar words. “On the night when Jesus was betrayed . . . ‘Take, eat; this is my body, which is given for you . . . Drink of it, all of you; this cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.’ ” Your pew is ushered forward. You kneel at the rail. The bread is placed in your hand and then your mouth. A sip of wine runs over your tongue. Where is Jesus at that moment? Right there. He is risen from the dead. He is alive and lives in you. He renews your faith and hope once again. He is not in the tomb. He is here in our midst, in our church, in your life. Confusion and fear give way to a confident faith and hope.

11.                     Where is Jesus? Listen to what Isaiah promises in our Old Testament Reading. A day will come when Jesus will return. We will see him face-to-face. All of creation will be remade. No more will old age take away our strength and breath. All creation will live in peaceful harmony. Only gladness, not more anger and hate. Grief will give way to rejoicing. Or listen to St. Paul in our reading from 1 Cor. 15. The one great last enemy to be destroyed is death. Jesus is the firstfruits when he left the tomb empty, so many more will follow on that glorious Last Day of resurrection. When you read passages from God’s Word like these, Jesus is working in you, building up your faith and renewing your hope by the power of his Holy Spirit.

12.                     Now remember what the women did after the angels reminded them of Jesus’ words, after their faith came to life and hope returned. “And returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest” (Luke 24:9). They ran and told the disciples. They didn’t stay at the tomb. They went back to their lives with the risen Jesus present with them.

13.                     So do we. We leave this worship service, where Jesus has been present because he promised where two or three or more are gathered together, there he would be. We go back to our lives. We go back to injustice and anger. We go back to division and strife. We go back to sickness and aging muscles. But we do not go back alone. We go back with Jesus. We go back with a powerful message. He has risen; he is now here.

14.                     Fred Craddock was a well-known teacher of Christian preaching. He died a few years ago. Late in his life, in a sermon titled “Jesus Saves.” Dr. Craddock spoke about a living faith that brings hope even when so much confusion and doubt can assail us in life. He said he first went to the Messiah thinking that wherever Christ would be, there could be no misery. Instead, he says, he came to realize that wherever misery is, Christ will be there. Then he paused to let that sink in. Will life in Christ be easy? No. But where there’s misery, there Christ is. We go out from this Easter service with that confident faith and living hope. We go out with that simple message: Jesus has risen! He is now here!

15.                     Each of us will come to that time when that last great enemy, death, will confront us with its frightening reality. We will stand before a grave and the test of faith will rise up from the depths of our souls. What is our hope at that moment? Jesus is there with us, speaking to our faith in Him and giving us hope. And when our minds turn to our own future grave, he’s in the same places. Promising to hold our souls safe. Guaranteeing a Last Day resurrection. Speaking faith and hope to those who will stand at our graves. Because he has risen. He is now here (Lk 24:6).

16.                     On this Easter morning, listen to the words of the angels: “Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise” (Luke 24:6b–7). The women staring at an empty tomb needed to hear the words, “He is not here, but has risen” (Luke 24:6a). But we, for a living faith and a confident hope, need to hear those words differently. We need to hear this message once again: He has risen! He is now here! Amen. Now the peace of God that passes all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus until life everlasting. Amen.