Jesus Over Shame & Pain

Life is puzzling.

We do not have answers for many things, or at least I do not. I still do not know exactly why there is a war going on in Ukraine, but I understand the devastation. I do not fully comprehend why abuse happens, though I know the results. Yes, I know the real answer is “sin” and I am not minimizing this; neither should we. But still it iis a puzzle why some things happen and others do not.

We struggle with pain.

Physical, emotional, mental, relational and spiritual. We talked about this last week in our Easter message.

We struggle with shame.

Shame is different than pain. Shame goes down to our core.

Genesis 2:25 NIV

Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.

Genesis 3:7 NIV

Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.

We try to hide our shame and pain.

Definition of shame: It is the realization we have done and then declaring ourselves an awful human being because of what we have done. Shame makes an identity statement not just a behavior statement.

Yet, there is hope!

We must see this truth being played out in Scripture. We must be willing to see this truth being played out in others. If we can, we will get to the point where we say, “maybe it can happen to me.”

Jesus does not give up on us!

Though not the first verse of our passage we read in verse 14, “this was not the 3rd time Jesus appeared to his disciples.

Jesus is full of surprises.

As NT Wright says on this passage, “When God ceases to surprise us, that may be the moment we have ceased to do business with him.”

Jesus does not need us to do His work.

Part of what is happening is Peter and the disciple are trying to do things on their own.

Jesus invites us into His work. Jesus wants us.

Jesus can do whatever He wants but he invites us to be part of it. We may be the hands and the feet but he is the head. You are not needed but you are wanted. This was true when Jesus called his disciples and it is true today.

The scene is filled with Peter’s pain “objects”.

Empty nets, charcoal fire, Jesus, early morning/late night encounters, water, Sea of Galilee.

Jesus redeems pain and shame.

This is the 3 fold question. It wasn’t to be mean and nasty. It was to remind Peter that his last time of doing something in 3s what not the final answer.

To love Jesus is to love His people.

If we are to love Jesus we will naturally love the people of Jesus, known as the Church.

To love Jesus is to allow others to “feed” you.

We cannot be followers of Jesus on our own. We need others. This is the path of discipleship, and I would argue evangelism. We are called not just to bring people to Jesus but also to help them grow in Jesus. How can we do that as a church? How can we help you grow? 1 hour on Sunday morning will not do it.

We cannot compare ourselves with others.

We have a wonderful statement in verse 22 that even the Gospel says led to misunderstanding. There was also a little bit of rivalry between Peter and John.

Trust Jesus!

With your pain, shame, guilt, envy, comparisons and the like.

Jesus loves you, even with your pain & shame!

I know many times I have let the pain and shame I experience have the “final” word. Yet, my hope is that it does not have to be that way.