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
Risen Christ, by your death and resurrection you brought dawn to darkness. You have made a new way, from death to life, cross to crown, grave to glory. We are frail creatures in a world of change and decay. Rule over us in your resurrection power. Subdue sin and evil, disease and destruction. We have nothing apart from you, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever, Amen.
Confession
O Lord, I live a world of dead ends. There is always an end. An end to my energy. My time. My love. My patience. My money. My very life. I am trapped by limits. I am burdened by my frail, finite limits. I have exhausted all other options. Nothing else satisfies. You burst forth from the grave to give me life beyond the horizon. You are my singular hope, my only prayer. Risen Savior, have mercy on my dead ends.
Word
“Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, ’Do you love me?’ and he said to him, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.’” John 21:17
Meditation
Today’s meditation is by Johanna Lange.
I can be careless with the word “love.” I say that I “love” my husband and son, but I also use “love” to describe my feelings about cheesecake and Game of Thrones and my favorite sweater. The word “love” works in so many contexts that after a while it starts to feel a little hollow.
I say that I “love” Jesus, too, but what do I really mean when I use that word? Do I love Jesus in the way that I love a favorite sweater? Do I love him like a friend or a family member?
Jesus seems to be pushing Peter to consider these same questions in John 21. Three times he asks him, “Do you love me?” And three times Peter answers, “Lord, you know that I love you.” As Peter points out, Jesus knows everything, so of course he knows that Peter holds feelings of affection toward him, but Jesus uses this moment to redefine the term “love.”
According to Jesus, to “love” him means much more than to feel a sense of affection or friendship. To love Jesus is to serve others. “Do you love me?” he says, “feed my lambs,” “take care of my sheep.” When Jesus foretells Peter’s martyrdom in verse 18, he further suggests that to “love” him is to be willing to die for his glory.
As I’ve meditated on these verses over the last few days, I’ve felt deeply convicted. Of course, I know that I love Jesus more than I love cheesecake, but, to be honest, I fail to love him in the ways I am called to love him. If I serve others, I often do so only at my own convenience or for selfish reasons. And if I were asked to die on Christ’s behalf, I just don’t know how willing I’d be.
Most days, my love for Jesus is shallow.
Yet, Jesus loves me so much that he suffered and died on the cross for my sins. Christ’s love for me, and for all believers, is a perfect love. A love so perfect, in fact, that it covers all my shortcomings, including my repeated failure to love well in return.
I know I will never love as perfectly as Jesus loves, but these verses remind me that I am called to love through action—to serve God and others with a sacrificial heart. And they remind me that when I fall short of that kind of love, I am forgiven.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank you for loving me enough to die on the cross for my sins. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, help me to love according to your perfect example. Amen.
Benediction
The God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen. (I Pet. 5:10-11)