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
“Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’” John 21:12
Meditation
Today’s meditation is by Johanna Lange.
When I was a kid, my family always spent two weeks of our summer vacation with my grandparents at their lake house in Northern Minnesota. At the end of our vacation, we’d wake up before dawn to pack the car and begin the long drive home. Every single summer, on those early mornings of our last day at my grandparents’ cabin, we’d wake to find my grandma in the darkened kitchen, still in her pajamas, cooking us a “goodbye” breakfast of eggs, bacon, and buttered toast.
My grandma never particularly enjoyed cooking, nor was she a morning person. Her goodbye breakfasts were very much acts of sacrificial love. She wanted to make sure her children and grandchildren had full bellies for our voyage home, wanted to spend one more hour with us in fellowship over a warm meal.
When Jesus appears to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, I am of course struck by the miracle he performs: filling their nets with an abundance of fish. But what I find perhaps even more compelling is that immediately after the miracle of the fish, Jesus prepares breakfast. He invites the disciples to come and eat, serves them pieces of bread and fish cooked over a coal fire. Cooking breakfast is something you’d expect from a grandmother when her grandchildren come visit, but from the all-powerful Son of God?
The whole scene is actually kind of shocking if you really think about it. Here we have Jesus Christ, who calms the seas and heals the sick, and who literally just raised himself from the dead—cooking breakfast on the beach, serving it to his loved ones.
When I think about Jesus’ life and ministry, I often think of his miracles, but I don’t often think about those smaller moments of humble servitude: the washing of feet, the serving of food and drink. The image of Christ making breakfast on the beach for his disciples is such a good reminder of who he is: Jesus is a God of miracles—yes—but he is also a gracious servant who cares deeply for his children. Moreover, he is a God of fellowship. He calls us to live in community with other believers, to serve one another, to love one another as family.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank you for loving us as your children, and for the gift of fellowship. Help us to love others in the way that you love us. 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)