Fish Fry . Third Sunday of Easter

 Third Sunday of Easter- " A Fish Fry with the LORD"

Acts 9:1-19a or Jer 32:36-41 Ps 33 or 33:1-11v Rev 5:(1-5)6-14 John 21:1-14

   Of all of the Easter appearances by Jesus this one in John 21 is not only well-known but treasured by many. It certainly is remarkable in its beauty---the sea/ Lake of Tiberias.  This made me again thankful for my sea experiences, one fishing off the pier in California with my grandfather on my father's side, and of course being at sea for a year with the Merchant Marine. Also, while in the Army in California , one of the SR Chaplains made us breakfast cooked on a grill after our run .He said He had a surprise for us after our run when he met us, and then we were so amazed when we go there, and saw the meal.    It was the most delicious fish we ever had . We thank God for His beautiful creation!

John tells us this was the third Resurrection appearance by Jesus to the Disciples, here only 7.  It was somewhat the earlier scene in Luke when He spoke to them after they had not been able to catch many fish. This experience has the same ending---Jesus gives them fish and bread too,  as they were unable to get anything themselves.

What is the main thrust of this account from John 21?  They do not recognize the Lord vs 4 that it was Him.  Was it the distance?  Peter recognized Him, after the fish were so many that they caught. vs 7.  Some call this the restoration of Peter.  I am not sure that is the main point however.  I would say it is something else, although that is certainly there.

Perhaps it is the point that Jesus is manifested.  He is the light, and His life and light are shown forth.  That is the word in the original language.

1. God calls us wherever we are to do His will and joyfully do His work. 

 Separating God from our work is the mistake.   In the middle of the fishing, which I do not believe was wrong either of them to do, Jesus cooks them breakfast. vs 3 "I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing." Where did the bread come from?  Did Jesus bring it?  Did He create it from nothing?

Do we separate God from our lives ?  Is He only in Church?  That is our mistake if we do that.  

2. Peter and Jesus have a discussion. Jesus asks Peter about his work. vs 15 " Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?"  --These refers to his fishing I believe. 

MacClaren suggests this comment, "(the) threefold denial needed to be obliterated by the threefold confession; and that every black mark that had been scored deep on the page by that denial needed to be covered over with the gilding or bright colouring of the triple acknowledgment. And so Peter thrice having said, ‘I know Him not!’ Jesus with a gracious violence forced him to say thrice (3 x), ‘Thou knowest that I love Thee.’ "

He is recommisioned to do the work of an Apostle by the Lord if we can see it in that light. It is a merciful discussion with pointed thoughts by our Lord. 

Have we ever failed?  Of course we fail to do things perfectly every day, and need forgiveness and love from God. It was quite a counseling session, and I imagine the other 6 heard it is as well as they ate the cooked fish and bread. 

3. Lastly Jesus says, " Follow me." This was after describing Peter's manner of death in how he would glorify God. 

We too have this problem in our own concerns about the future.  What are we to do or be?  We are not to be as concerned about the what as the who.  We know who we believe, and in Him is the path to life.  Discerning it sometimes can be difficult.  These decisions need patience, time and true discernment of what following Him should look like.

 Conclusion-  The account of the fish and the bread and the meal are so lovely there near the Sea.  All of the elements of the story of Christ and His followers are there.  His third Resurrection appearance to the disciples is something we too can learn from .  We have only scratched the surface of this Gospel. Our questions will be answered as well in due time if we are following Him.