WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
April 20th 2008
Easter Season
Rev. Mark R. Bradshaw-Miller
“Eating with Jesus”
John 21:1-14
Believe it or not we are finally at the end of Easter season. I am sure that some of you might just be thinking: Finally! After all six weeks is a long time. However, it really does take that amount of time to work through all of the post-resurrection appearances of Jesus. In our celebration of this season we have gathered each week at this table. Through the eating of bread and drinking of the cup we have sought to emphasis the communal nature of the body of Christ. Because Jesus does not appear to anyone, except Mary, alone we are called to be in community. It is because of this invitation that we are able to follow in the way of Jesus. If we have learned nothing else in this time, we have come to grips with the reality that following Jesus may very well lead us down some unwelcome paths. But the good news is that we are not left to our own devices.
Our passage this morning is really part of the passage immediately preceding this one. In our encounter last week we learned that the disciples had left Jerusalem and gone to the Sea of Tiberius. In other words, they had attempted to return to their previous life. After failing in their attempts Jesus shows up and invites them to breakfast. As they prepare to eat, they are reminded of two things. In the fish and bread they are reminded of the way Jesus shared two fish and five loaves showing the world that there really is enough food for everyone. (The problem is distribution, not supply.) In the charcoal fire they, particularly Peter, is reminded of the risk of betrayal in the life of faith because it was in the courtyard warming himself on a charcoal fire that he denied Jesus three times. This is the foundation for our passage this morning.
We pick up the story after breakfast. After feeding the disciples Jesus turns to Peter and asks: Do you love me more than these? It is an odd question with an uncertain ending. What is the “these” of which Jesus speaks? Is it the tasty breakfast of fish and bread, or is it the other disciples or is it something more? I think it is completely reasonable to imagine that Jesus is questioning Peter’s commitment to follow him without reserve. So whatever might stand in the way of faithfully following is what Jesus means when he asks: “Do you love me more than these?”
Jesus repeats this question three times. It mirrors the courtyard betrayal and functions as a restoration and redemption of Peter. It is also difficult for Peter to hear. He is hurt by the questioning. It opens up old wounds and makes Peter come face to face with his frailties. In the repeated questions Jesus invites Peter to make a commitment that is more than just words.
Jesus ends his last conversation with Peter using two simple words: “Follow me.” In these words, Jesus makes it clear what the journey is all about. Jesus’ life was all about serving others, welcoming the stranger and eating with sinners. When the disciples argue about who is the greatest, Jesus washes their feet. When Jesus calls people to follow it is in this way, the way of humility and acceptance and love for all people. And the hardest part to swallow is that this life is what took him to the cross. So when Jesus says follow it is not an easy road.
The road to follow Jesus is also in invitation to be a shepherd as well. It is a strange transition which complicates the call to discipleship. The call to feed and tend the sheep is a call to become the shepherd and it is meant for more than just Peter. In other words Jesus expects that those who follow him will be leaders who are willing to follow as well. I think that is why we have the image of a shepherd. After all, the job of a shepherd is not particularly rewarding. It can be monotonous but also risky because of the threat of wolves and other predators. The tools of the trade are rather simple and the rewards are few. There is no promise of prosperity following this way, at least in the material sense. This is what it means to follow.
As we come to the final Sunday of Easter we come to this table invited by Jesus. The invitation is to come and be fed, come and have breakfast. In do so we are confronted with the same realities that Peter and the other disciples faced. We all run the risk of abandoning the journey with hopes of returning to the good old days, where never really were. In the fish and bread, we too, are reminded of our own doubts about God’s abundance and our idolatry of scarcity. But the good news is of which we are reminded of, at this table, is that we are called together. We are called from many different places, stations, and races, and knit together to be faithful followers and shepherds. The call is to follow, the question is: Do you love me. Let us answer that with our lives. Amen?
April 20th 2008
Easter Season
Rev. Mark R. Bradshaw-Miller
“Eating with Jesus”
John 21:1-14
Believe it or not we are finally at the end of Easter season. I am sure that some of you might just be thinking: Finally! After all six weeks is a long time. However, it really does take that amount of time to work through all of the post-resurrection appearances of Jesus. In our celebration of this season we have gathered each week at this table. Through the eating of bread and drinking of the cup we have sought to emphasis the communal nature of the body of Christ. Because Jesus does not appear to anyone, except Mary, alone we are called to be in community. It is because of this invitation that we are able to follow in the way of Jesus. If we have learned nothing else in this time, we have come to grips with the reality that following Jesus may very well lead us down some unwelcome paths. But the good news is that we are not left to our own devices.
Our passage this morning is really part of the passage immediately preceding this one. In our encounter last week we learned that the disciples had left Jerusalem and gone to the Sea of Tiberius. In other words, they had attempted to return to their previous life. After failing in their attempts Jesus shows up and invites them to breakfast. As they prepare to eat, they are reminded of two things. In the fish and bread they are reminded of the way Jesus shared two fish and five loaves showing the world that there really is enough food for everyone. (The problem is distribution, not supply.) In the charcoal fire they, particularly Peter, is reminded of the risk of betrayal in the life of faith because it was in the courtyard warming himself on a charcoal fire that he denied Jesus three times. This is the foundation for our passage this morning.
We pick up the story after breakfast. After feeding the disciples Jesus turns to Peter and asks: Do you love me more than these? It is an odd question with an uncertain ending. What is the “these” of which Jesus speaks? Is it the tasty breakfast of fish and bread, or is it the other disciples or is it something more? I think it is completely reasonable to imagine that Jesus is questioning Peter’s commitment to follow him without reserve. So whatever might stand in the way of faithfully following is what Jesus means when he asks: “Do you love me more than these?”
Jesus repeats this question three times. It mirrors the courtyard betrayal and functions as a restoration and redemption of Peter. It is also difficult for Peter to hear. He is hurt by the questioning. It opens up old wounds and makes Peter come face to face with his frailties. In the repeated questions Jesus invites Peter to make a commitment that is more than just words.
Jesus ends his last conversation with Peter using two simple words: “Follow me.” In these words, Jesus makes it clear what the journey is all about. Jesus’ life was all about serving others, welcoming the stranger and eating with sinners. When the disciples argue about who is the greatest, Jesus washes their feet. When Jesus calls people to follow it is in this way, the way of humility and acceptance and love for all people. And the hardest part to swallow is that this life is what took him to the cross. So when Jesus says follow it is not an easy road.
The road to follow Jesus is also in invitation to be a shepherd as well. It is a strange transition which complicates the call to discipleship. The call to feed and tend the sheep is a call to become the shepherd and it is meant for more than just Peter. In other words Jesus expects that those who follow him will be leaders who are willing to follow as well. I think that is why we have the image of a shepherd. After all, the job of a shepherd is not particularly rewarding. It can be monotonous but also risky because of the threat of wolves and other predators. The tools of the trade are rather simple and the rewards are few. There is no promise of prosperity following this way, at least in the material sense. This is what it means to follow.
As we come to the final Sunday of Easter we come to this table invited by Jesus. The invitation is to come and be fed, come and have breakfast. In do so we are confronted with the same realities that Peter and the other disciples faced. We all run the risk of abandoning the journey with hopes of returning to the good old days, where never really were. In the fish and bread, we too, are reminded of our own doubts about God’s abundance and our idolatry of scarcity. But the good news is of which we are reminded of, at this table, is that we are called together. We are called from many different places, stations, and races, and knit together to be faithful followers and shepherds. The call is to follow, the question is: Do you love me. Let us answer that with our lives. Amen?
