Resurrection Life

Just this last week we heard that we can start thinking about COVID in terms of endemic rather than as a pandemic and with that brings both joys and concerns especially since I feel the world as a whole has become more aware or attuned to people who have compromised immune systems. At the same time, we see how there are more things happening around us that we can do, or see, or enjoy. Within our own congregation we have begun receiving communion and having fellowship after worship; among other things.

The disciples did something similar after Jesus died and rose from the dead. They returned back to fishing on the sea. We know that Peter, and the Sons of Zebedee were fisherman and so Peter decides to fish, and invites the other six that were with him to go along with him. We don’t know if they were doing it for old time’s sake, because the didn’t know what to do next, they were waiting for Jesus, or what. But what we do know is that they returned to life the way it was before Jesus was around, if even for a day. They once again became fisherman…for fish. The issue I have with all of this is that when we looked John’s gospel last week we see that Jesus tells them that just as Jesus was sent into the world, he is now sending them. Jesus then breaths on them and gives them the Holy Spirit. I don’t see anywhere in the the stories of Jesus where he tells the disciples to go and fish by themselves. We see in the other gospels that Jesus calls them from fishing for fish to fish for people, but I don’t recall Jesus telling them to return to fishing for regular fish again.

Now don’t get me wrong I also don’t think that Jesus was telling them that they couldn’t ever fish again, or that fishing was bad. Next week we’ll actually see the conversation of Paul and how part of how he is able to travel and afford what he does is that he continues to be a tentmaker. He is able to travel and do his regular work to make sure he can spread the good news. So I’m not trying to say that fishing is something they should completely stay away from, but if fishing is what they are going to do instead of what Jesus has called them to do then that is bad. Maybe they could fish and share the good news, perhaps they could reach other fisherman by telling them the good news while they fished alongside them.

That is where I see our own story at this moment. We are moving into post-pandemic or endemic state of our culture and we have some decisions to make. We need to figure out what it is that God is calling us to do. Like I said we have brought back some things and there are some new ministries happening. With that we need to ask ourselves if we want to move completely back to the old life that we were living before the pandemic or if we feel that God is calling us to something new and different. What are the ministries that we have done in the past that work and have been good for this community and what are some things that we can let go of and make room for something new to blossom and grow?

One of the things that we talked about a lot a Bible Study this last week as we dug into this story was about memories. The memories that Jesus brings up for the disciples is not to tie them to the past but to remind them of what they have been called to do. Jesus tells them to cast their nets on the other side of the boat and they catch more fish than they can really carry, a reminder of the call in the other gospels. We see that Jesus gives the disciples the fish and loaves for breakfast which reminds us of the feeding of the thousands. We also see that Jesus breaks the bread and gives it to them and then did the same with the fish. This brings the memory of the Last Supper when Jesus broke bread and gave it to them. Then we have the charcoal fire which reminds us of the fire that Peter sat around when he denied Jesus. Now we have the moment where Jesus gives Peter the chance to bring him back from that place of denial to a place of faith and service. His love for Jesus corrects his denial and gives him the mission to care for his flock.

All these memories give us also this sense that we remember and do the mission that God has called us to do through Jesus Christ. Sometimes that means doing what has been done like feeding people and caring for his flock, but that can also mean letting some ministries go so that we can create something new. I don’t know what that looks like exactly but together we can make it happen. Just as I talked about at the beginning of the year as we work on ourselves this year we can then truly vision and plan for the future of Bethlehem and see how God is calling us to reach out to the sheep and the lambs. Speaking more of memories we are reminded that Jesus is the Good Shepherd and the Bread of Life and that we are called into mission to break bread with and shepherd one another. There is just so much memory in this passage and so much calling for what is possible.

Jesus ends his conversation with Peter, which isn’t just meant for Peter, but is meant for all of us, by saying ‘follow me’. The same thing he said to the disciples when he first called them. But now he is calling them into a slightly different following because it is a following that involves going out and leading and sharing the good news in their own ways. And the way the word follow me is intended is ongoing. He says don’t just follow me, but keep on following me. Keep on doing those things we did together, keep following me by going to the places I never went, keep following me by doing what I couldn’t do because I have to leave. Keep following me and caring for my sheep and lambs. Keep following me by doing things that are new and different that can reach people from every time and place.

In that following we see that Jesus loves us, all of us, his disciples. He loved Thomas in his doubt. He loved Peter even when he denied him three times. He loves you and me when we mess up and when we are not perfect, and he calls us to move out of and away from those times and places when we are like that and reminds us of the broad mission we have been called to do. I say broad not because it seems impossible, but I say it because there is no one way to tend and care for people. This is what it is like to live in resurrection life. We remember what has gone before and we live into the newness of what is next knowing that Jesus is beside us giving us courage and encouragement that we can do it when we listen to the words, ‘follow me’. Follow me and I will give you and all other life, and life abundant. Amen.