April 7, 2024

Preached by Benjamin Vrbicek

Scripture Reading

John 21:1-25

1 After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

4 Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” 6 He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. 7 That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. 8 The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off.

9 When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. 14 This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 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. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”

20 Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” 21 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” 22 Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” 23 So the saying spread abroad among the brothers that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?”

24 This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true.

25 Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.

Good Friday and Easter involved many things for those who experienced them in real time. For the disciples, these few days were a rollercoaster of emotions. And for one disciple named Simon Peter, the most turbulent sections of the rollercoaster were marked by two charcoal fires—one of those fires was made just before the death of Jesus to keep people warm in the middle of the night, and the other charcoal fire was made just after the resurrection for Jesus to cook some fish. This all sounds so simple, so utterly without emotion, without consequence, without gravity, and without significance—right? Just two fires, one for keeping warm and another for cooking fish. But if we think that, we’d be wrong. This morning I want to lead us through the emotional rollercoaster that is the last chapter of the gospel of John. After 54 sermons, is also our last sermon in the book. We’ll focus on Jesus and Peter, for that’s what the passage does. Peter was a man in a transition. Yes, he was a disciple, even an Apostle. But before Peter was an apostle; before I’m a pastor; before you are a nurse or lawyer or teacher or IT manager or stay-at-home mother; and before anyone is anything: we are only people—people with hopes and dreams and prayers and passions and fears and sins and a desperate need for Jesus. We’re just like Peter. Let’s pray as we begin.

“Dear Heavenly Father . . .”

The biggest emotional rollercoasters in my life have revolved around various transitions. I think that’s true for most people. When I was in elementary school, we moved overseas for a few years. That was a rollercoaster. A good rollercoaster, but it was also a big transition to move to England and then move back to the States. After high school and going to college, that was a rollercoaster. When I first actively began following Jesus, that was a rollercoaster. Getting married, having children, going to seminary, and moving to my first pastorate—all rollercoasters. And there are others, but, again, the biggest emotional rollercoasters in my life have revolved around various transitions.

Maybe you feel the same way. Maybe you’re going through a series of changes: beginning a new relationship, ending a relationship, changing schools, changing jobs or even careers, starting a family or having children moving out, retiring, or struggling through an illness that will change patterns in your life. If any of these transitions are happening, you might be on an emotional rollercoasters.

That’s not necessarily a bad thing. But often transitions can make us distracted. We can end up finding our identity in so many other things than the good news story of how Jesus loves us. This passage reminds us that, between the resurrection and the second coming—no matter what happens to you or to others or what transitions might be taking place—our greatest joy comes when we find our identity in Jesus and follow him. That was true for Peter, and it’s true for us.

1. From mission drift to joy, vv. 1–8

As we look at the passage in more detail, it seems to fall into three sections where Peter moves from one emotion to another. Let’s read vv. 1–8 to see what’s happening to him. If you’re new to the Bible or visiting this morning, here’s a quick word on context before I read: this passage is one of a handful of recorded early events after Jesus rose from the dead and appeared to his followers, with this passage being the longest continuous story. In this way, it’s a fitting passage for the Sunday after Easter.

1 After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

4 Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” 6 He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish.7 That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea.8 The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off.

Let’s call this section “from mission drift to joy.” The joy part we see right away—a huge catch of fish and a meeting with the resurrected Lord. That’s joy. But what’s mission drift? Mission drift, as I understand it, is when someone drifts off course from his or her purpose. Most of the time the change is subtle at first, which is why we call it drift. And most of the time, the person might even know it’s happening.

This, I believe, describes Peter at the start of John 21. But, again, you might not see that at first. There’s a backstory that’s helpful to re-hash. About three years before this moment, there was another moment with many similar details. Jesus, in our passage, seems to be intentionally recreating the exact same circumstances to wake Peter up. What are the similarities? Fishing all night and catching nothing; advice from someone about where to find fish; and a subsequent huge catch of fish. The fishermen are both happy about the fish yet scared the boats might sink. The crew is giving high fives and shouting.

Again, this is the backstory to this event. At first they caught nothing, then they caught so much that they thought the boat would sink. What did Peter do when that first huge catch of fish happened? In Luke 5 we read, “But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, ‘Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord’” (Luke 5:8).

This is strange, is it not? What’s going on? Why not be happy?

To Peter, fish were dollars. This is not recreational fishing but a professional enterprise. As we all do from time to time, Peter had been dreaming of bigger and better business. But when he got what he wanted, he knelt down in his money and said, “Get away from me. I’m a sinful man.” When he did that, I think Peter realized that fish, money, career, health, beauty, and every other metric of success—it’s all perishable.

Here’s the key line: Jesus doesn’t destroy Peter; instead he commissions him to a new calling. In v. 10 we read, “And Jesus said to Simon, ‘Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.’”

Peter came face to face with The Fisher of Men and is told that he will now “fish for men.” Jesus was saying, “No, Peter, I won’t destroy you. I’ve come to catch you up in my mission for something better. And I want you to follow me and love me and spend your life on mission as you share with others about how great I am and how much I love them too.” That was the mission to which Jesus called Peter.

This is Peter in John 21. He’s been called to something, but it’s all confusing to him. So much is swirling around, not to mention his own failures (which we’ll get to in a moment).

But Jesus pursues Peter. Jesus calls him back. The risen Lord reaches out to those who have drifted, and he calls us to himself. Perhaps that’s where you find yourself this morning. Maybe your heart is drifting from the Lord and your parents don’t know yet, or you don’t think they know. Maybe your spouse doesn’t know, or your co-workers or your pastors, but you know that even as I’m bringing all this up, you’re drifting from the Lord. Just floating away.

Jesus is looking for you. That’s why you’re here. The living Jesus goes looking for sheep that stray and for disciples who drift.

On the boat one disciple shouts, “It’s the Lord!” and Peter jumps overboard to swim to see his savior. He’s full of joy again. Not about his fish but because the Fisher of Men has caught him—again. He’s moved from mission drift to joy. But for Peter the rollercoaster is not over.

2. From shame to mission, vv. 9–19

In the next section Peter moves “from shame and back to mission. Let’s read vv. 9–19.

9 When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. 14 This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 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. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”

There are many interesting details in this passage. Take the detail of 153 fish—it’s very specific. I think it’s as simple as saying fishermen like to count their catch—they did then, and they do now—just as pastors like to count Easter attendance and baptisms.

But the first detail to notice is the first thing Peter notices when he comes to the shore. There’s a fire, and not just any fire, but the gospel of John is particular: a charcoal fire. Only John mentions this kind of fire, and when he does it involves Peter.

Again, a backstory needs to be re-hashed. In John 13 Jesus says to Peter, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times” (13:38). To paraphrase Peter’s response, “No, I’m all in. I’m a rock. I won’t fail you.” And Jesus essentially says, “Really?”

A few hours after Peter’s confident assertion, John 18:18 shows Peter denying Jesus while he stands beside a charcoal fire. After three Peter denials, the rooster crows.

It’s funny how smells bring back memories. Pumpkin-scented candles make us think of Thanksgiving; lilac-scented candles make us think of spring. Chocolate World is nearby. While you ride the ride at Chocolate World, they pump in the smell of chocolate because they want you to come back. Two decades from now, when my children are grown, I know they’ll be a day when someone around me will open a chocolate bar, and I’ll immediately think about those rides with my kids who are no longer little.

When Peter jumps out of the boat, swims to shore to see the Lord, he smells his own denial. And Jesus, at first, simply says, eat with me. This wasn’t the first time Peter and Jesus had seen each other after the resurrection. As I preached last week, Jesus led with peace because on the cross, it was finished. The story of Christianity is the story of how our sin dies with Jesus, and all the good things Jesus did are credited to us. That’s the gospel. When we trust Jesus, our sin dies with Jesus on the cross and God the Father then looks at us as though we were as perfect and holy as Jesus. That’s Christianity.

That’s all true. And it’s amazing. But—I’ll put it like this—if the last time you saw Jesus alive before his death, you denied him very publicly after you said you wouldn’t deny him and you said you wouldn’t deny him in front of a bunch of other leaders, then you’d also know that when Jesus comes back from the grave, you’d know he’s going to want to talk do you about that. Forgiven? Of course. But wounds need a conversation.

But here’s the thing with Jesus: he doesn’t poke a wound to make it worse. If the risen Lord pokes your wounds, he does it so that it can heal. I’ve had several bicycle accidents over the years, and when they’ve happened on pavement, I know that as much as it hurts, the gravel must come out of the skin before I can heal.

Three times Peter is asked if he loves Jesus. Look with me at v. 15. Notice how the question comes the first time: “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”

Now, people who have spent their lives studying the gospel of John debate what the word “these” refers to. Could Jesus be asking if Peter loves Jesus more than the other disciples love Jesus? Do you love me, Peter, more than these—that is, more than these other disciples love me? I guess Jesus could be asking this. If we only had the video footage we could see how Jesus gestured and know for sure.

But I don’t think we need the footage. When Peter gets to shore, Jesus tells them all to get more fish to eat. And Peter was the one who leapt up and grabbed the huge net and dragged it to shore, so happy about his catch of 153 fish. Fish are great . . . if you’re a fisherman of fish.

I think Jesus looks at this huge catch of fish and says, do you love me more than these—more than stuff? And he’s asking this of you right now. Is the calling that I’ve placed on your life to be a fisherman of men, to be a shepherd of my sheep, to be a follower of mine, is that enough for you? Am I enough for you? Jesus asks. Be honest with him.

Jesus asks one time for each denial—three denials, three questions. The risen Lord is reinstating Peter, quite publicly. Peter doesn’t have to pretend that everything is okay around Jesus because now it is okay—no, it’s more than okay. Peter is on mission again. He’s following Jesus.

And not only will he spend his life being a shepherd of God’s sheep, but in his old age he’ll glorify God. There’s certainly a heaviness to that. But there’s also encouragement. After failing the Lord, Peter would have been thinking, I’ll never be able to do anything ever again that could bring glory to my savior. I love Jesus, I love Jesus, I love Jesus, but now how will I ever bring him glory? Perhaps you feel you’re too old. You’ve messed up too bad. You don’t have the right degree. You got started too late. Your sin is too bad. Or your health is too bad, so you can’t do anything to glorify God. Not true.

As with Peter, Jesus wants you to move from shame to mission.

3. From jealousy to wonder, vv. 20–25

The rollercoaster is almost over. From “mission drift to joy to shame to back on mission.” He’s going to go now “from jealousy to wonder.” Let’s read vv. 20–25.

20 Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” 21 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” 22 Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” 23 So the saying spread abroad among the brothers that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?”

24 This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true. 25 Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.

Right after the risen Lord reinstated Peter to the mission of following him, Peter puts his head on a swivel and says, “Okay, but what about that guy? You gonna tell him about this death stuff too?”

There are many reasons I believe the gospels are true and reliable accounts about the life and death and resurrection of Jesus, but one of them is that the gospels are just so honest about the human condition, specifically here the way we see how prone we are to be jealous and discontented and distracted even as we launch out on a God-appointed mission. Some of you are distracted from following Jesus because you keep looking over your shoulder and saying, “Yeah, but what about that person? He’s got a better job. She’s got better health. They’re married. They have kids. They are empty nesters. They can afford to go on vacations.” And so on.

I love Jesus’s non-answer answer. “If that guy is alive when I come back—and I am coming back—what does that matter to you? You follow me.” This is why at the start I spoke of transitions being potential times of distractions.

And after this, John, the author of this gospel, takes the final word, and it’s a word of wonder. You remember the opening lines. John 21:1, says, “After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way.” In other words, this story is not mainly about Peter. It’s about the way Jesus revealed himself. And John ends by focusing on Jesus, and in this way, I believe it’s his way of looking out from Peter and looking to us.

John’s view of Jesus, having lived with him, having seen the miracles, the love that he showed the outcasts, the veracity with which he engaged the hypocrisy of the religious leaders, and the sacrificial death for sinners, and now his resurrection, and his promise of the seconding coming—having seen all this—John says, these are but the fringes of his glory (cf. Job 26).

Walking on water; turning water to wine; healing the blind man; turning over the tables of the money changers; saying he is the way the truth and the life; taking our sins to himself like a sponge to absorb the wrath of God against us because of our sin; rising again triumphantly from the dead; reinstating his fallen disciples; promising to come again in power . . . all the books in all the world can’t hold all that Jesus is for us. After 21 chapters and 54 sermons, this rollercoaster comes to a stop. And we’re left with wonder.

Conclusion

In popular culture the story of Easter is about new beginnings, new transitions. That’s true; Easter is about new beginnings—springtime, growth, and new life, and the turning over of new leaves. But it is only generally about new beginnings because it is first about a particular new beginning or transition—the dawn of a new age, the true spring.

Good Friday and Easter is the story of how our sin dies with Jesus and we are raised to life with him. Between his resurrection and his second coming—no matter what happens to you or to others or what transitions might be taking place—God wants you to find your identity in Jesus and follow him all your days.

If you have drifted from the Lord, or you feel yourself to be drifting now, don’t wait another day. Let Jesus poke your failures so that you can be healed. Oh I bet it felt so good for Peter to be healed. You can feel that way too.

Let’s pray and invite the music team to lead us in song.