After that day, everything was different. The first disciples witnessed a dead man walking. Their lives would be forever changed, defined by “life before Easter” and life “life after Easter.” On numerous occasions, Jesus showed up in resurrected form before he ascended. In the season of Easter we will examine six “after Easter” encounters with Jesus. What did he say and do? In what practical ways does resurrection change my daily life? Nothing will ever be the same.
Invocation
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Invitation
Lord of the church, teach us to remember that we are but the dust into which your Spirit breathes the breath of life, earthen vessels you have selected to be the treasures of your grace. Lead us to be ambassadors of your kingdom. Show us how to love our neighbor selflessly. Form us into faithful servants. Mold us as obedient followers. Retrace our lost image and form us into the image of Jesus Christ. Love us and send us in your name. Amen.
Confession
Lord, I confess that I have not honored you as I should.
I have not been faithful to represent you in my life.
I have failed to glorify you and bear witness to your name.
I have been a hypocrite. I have claimed your name, but denied you before others.
I have been part of the church’s turmoil and tension.
Cause me and all Christians to walk together as people who know they are yet sinners. Help us to deal with one another not as the good or the bad but as the forgiven. Help us to love much because we are forgiven much by you.
Word
Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” (John 21:3-5)
Meditation
Today’s meditation is by Jeff Cloeter.
It’s an annual tradition. The dude’s fishing trip every June at Kabekona Lake in northern Minnesota. Dennis is a family friend who’s part of the tradition. He self-nominated to be the camp cook decades ago, so the menu is always his. A legendary “Dennis quote” is “Eat for the hunger to come.” He’s not a fan of leftovers.
The lake encounter with Jesus in John 21 begins with hunger. John clearly indicates the failure of the fishermen when he says, “they caught nothing.” They are utterly empty. As if to rub it in, Jesus (although they didn’t know it was him) called from shore, “Do you have any fish?” The answer is terse. “No.”
Utter emptiness is something I know well. In fact, I feel it every year after Easter. The resurrection gives me such hope, it’s like a high. But the mountaintop always descends into a valley after Easter. “Christ is risen!” and then we return to mundane work. Complicated schedules. Stressful jobs. Tight finances. Depressing headline news.
As we know, Jesus filled the empty boats with a pile of fish. 153 to be precise. Even more, he filled their bellies with breakfast by the shoreline fire. Emptiness turns into abundance when Jesus is near. This pertains to more than cod and bass. His forgiveness is abundant. His mercy is never-ending. His compassion is overflowing.
The journey of our lives is long and often weary. Hunger comes, and we wonder if we have strength to continue. But it’s in those moments that Jesus shows up, sometimes disguised or unknown to us. He arrives with an abundance of what we need at the moment.
“Come have breakfast,” Jesus said to the fisherman. On the verge of the mission ahead, it was as if he said, “Eat for the hunger to come.” And when that hunger comes, he is always faithful to provide another meal. With Jesus, there is always more provision, more grace, more strength. He never fails.
Risen Lord, overwhelm my emptiness with your abundance. Feed me and fill me that I may have strength to fish. Amen.
Benediction
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Eph. 3:20-21)