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
“He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” 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.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.” (John 21:17)
Meditation
Today’s meditation is by Jeff Cloeter.
Our generation will measure time as “before COVID” and “after COVID.” I sense that there is a return to some sort of “after.” Society is going back to school, work, activities, and social gatherings. These are good things, but the fact of the matter is that we can’t go back to before. You cannot rewind to 2019. Too many things have happened. There’s something different about “after.”
At the end of John’s gospel, Peter is about to journey into the “after.” It is after his denial and grief. After the gory death of his Master. And after the moment he came running, breathless to an empty grave. The resurrection of Jesus changed everything. After everything, there is one question that matters.
Jesus asks, “Do you love me?” After everything, one question matters: Do you love Jesus? Do you believe him? Trust him? Some days it’s hard to answer that simple question. Some days are filled with failure and littered with doubt.
Notice what Jesus doesn’t ask. “What have you accomplished? How successful are you? How many people like you? How much do you have? How strong are you?” He asks none of those things.
“Do you love me?” Listen not only to what is asked, but who asked it. You know the One who speaks this question. You know what he’s done for you.
Jesus loves you not because of what you do or accomplish, but because he created and redeemed you in love. He paid a price to get you back again. His love has no limits, no cap, no ceiling.
See how personal Jesus is. “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” It is personal. Jesus knows Peter. He calls him not by his nickname, but by his given name. “Simon, son of John, I know who you are. I know where you come from. I see you. I’ve known you before you were born.”
John, the gospel writer, also wrote a letter. In I John 4:10, he wrote: “In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.” No one has loved you like him. And no one is ever going to love you more than he does. So after all is said and done, let his question ring in your ears, “Do you love me?”
Jesus, you know I love you. But my love fails. Forgive me. Jesus, you know I love you. So fill me that I may love others. Jesus, you know I love you. 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)