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 Jesus, you once came to humanity in a rustic barn and a messy manger. Do not be distant from the rough places of our lives. We often find ourselves far from you. In mercy, come near to us, our Lord, Emmanuel; for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Confession
Forgive my sins, O Lord – forgive me the sins of my present and the sins of my past, the sins of my soul and the sins of my body; the sins which I have done to please myself, and the sins which I have done to please others. Forgive me my wasted and idle sins, forgive me my serious and deliberate sins, forgive me those sins which I know and those sins which I know not, the sins which I have labored so to hide from others that I have hid them from my own memory. Forgive them, O Lord, forgive them all.
Word
“He said to him, ‘Tend my sheep.’ He said to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of John do you love me?’” John 21:16-17
Meditation
Today’s meditation is by Julianna Shults.
Have you ever listened to children play games and heard them call for a do-over? I know I called for a few in my childhood, especially during games like kickball when I was a desperate failure at getting my foot to connect with the rolling red ball. Childhood feels full of do-overs. You mess up, fall down, and all that is necessary is to cry “do-over” for a chance to try again.
As we get older it seems there are far fewer places where we get a do over. You can’t miss a deadline at work and just email “do-over” to your boss. You can’t do-over arguments with a loved one or get a second chance at a moment missed. Time moves forward, opportunities may be scarce, and chances to redeem a moment of failure or loss seem rare.
In John 18, Peter stood in front of a fire in a courtyard outside of where Jesus’ trial was being held. After fervently telling Jesus that he would never fall away, Peter publicly denied knowing Jesus three times:
“Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, ‘You also are not one of his disciples, are you?’ He denied it and said, ‘I am not.’”
In John 21, the risen Jesus and Peter are now sitting on a beach in front of a fire, full of fish from breakfast, and there is a new question in the air.
‘When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”
Jesus repeats this question three times, a parallel of Peter’s denial. Jesus didn’t ask this question to test Peter or add to Peter’s guilt. Jesus knew full well Peter would falter; Jesus died for him anyway. The questions remind Peter that even his most egregious sin was forgiven through Jesus’ death.
Jesus’ love is compelling. Three times Peter emphatically answers that he loves Jesus. Then three times Jesus responds by telling Peter to feed His sheep. Peter gets a do-over and a purpose.
Like Peter, we fall short and fail to love God and others as we should. We confess and Jesus forgives our sin. He redeems our failure. Jesus’ blood poured out covers us and gives us a do-over. We get a new chance, through the Holy Spirit, to try again at loving others in Jesus’ name.
Through God’s great gifts, perhaps do-overs are not as rare as we might think.
Prayer: Precious Savior, just like Peter on the beach, we need to be reminded that you love covers even our worst sin. We are so sorry for the times we fail and deny you. Thank you for your love and forgiveness which pours out on us. May it give us joy and purpose to care for others in your name. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Benediction
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:7)