April 22, 2007, Easter 3

Acts 9:1-6, (7-20); Psalm 30; Revelation 5:11-14; John 21:1-19

Do you love me?

Our first lesson, is one of the most vivid conversion experiences. Here we have Saul the Pharisee, an avid persecutor of the followers of “the way” as Christianity was called at the time. Saul had direction in his life – his direction was to bringing to justice those who dared to follow Jesus…

Saul had the most dramatic experience of light and sound – an encounter with the risen Lord – “who are you” – voice heard by the others – but not the words nor a vision – “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.” Saul came out of the experience blind – reflecting his blindness to the Lord. He is taken on to Damascus where he spends his time in prayer.

After three days, Ananias – a faithful follower – came and laid hands on Saul and prayed for him and the blindness left. I think this is huge – Ananias is praying and Jesus talks to him, “Go to Straight Street and heal Saul.” And Ananias reacts like most people would – “But Lord, he’s persecuting us. He’s going to arrest us and take us back to Jerusalem to be tried and crucified… Why would I want to heal him?”

And the Lord says, “He will be my instrument – my tool – to bring my name before Gentiles, and kings, and even my own people.” Ananias was obedient even when he didn’t want to be. God used him to heal, to baptize and to transform Saul into -- Paul the faithful.

In our gospel lesson, the disciples are out there doing their own thing – not knowing what to do, Peter suggests going fishing – unlike Saul, he has no direction so he does something familiar – probably to pass the time as much as anything else – maybe he thought better when he was fishing. I used to go driving around when I had something to think about – it helped me to do something ordinary – it seemed to help me focus. Not on city streets, but on back country roads where there is no traffic.

Anyway, the disciples don’t catch anything – but a stranger appears on the shore and tells them to throw the net out

on the other side – so they do – and they get a miraculous catch of fish – more than they can drag in.

That’s the point. They can’t do it on their own. When we are overwhelmed, over burdened, that is when we need Jesus, when we allow him to step in and to help us. It was in the over abundance of the catch of fish that they were able to realize that this could only be the Lord. It was this miraculous catch that opened their eyes to be able to recognize Jesus.

Sometimes it takes that kind of miracle for us to recognize Jesus in our midst – at a time when we are over burdened and over worked and overwhelmed – then we are able to see our need and acknowledge, not only our need, but also the presence of Jesus in our lives.

And then there is Peter - one more time, Peter – the impetuous one - jumps in the lake – to be the first one to reach Jesus. And Jesus has them do something ordinary – bring the fish to fix for breakfast. And in the midst of the ordinary Jesus once again calls Peter to deeper ministry. He commissions him to be a leader of leaders.

Peter – open mouth and insert foot Peter…

Peter – who is called Satan for rebuffing Jesus’ declaration of sacrifice and crucifixion…

Peter – who wants to stay up on a mountain with Jesus and build booths…

Peter – who sinks like a rock when he tries to go to Jesus on the water…

Peter – who denies even knowing Jesus when the chips are down…

This same Peter makes a last mistake – and Jesus accepts it and commissions him anyway! And folks, this is good news for us, because we make mistakes all the time – and it’s good to know that Jesus is going to accept us mistakes and all – and use us.

When we read the story – “Peter, do you love me?” We have to realize that there is more going on here than just a mere reinstatement of Peter after his denial of Jesus.

Jesus uses the word “Agapao” – this is the verb form of Agape - the Greek word for a very special kind of love – it implies a perfect love – a love that is not derived from or controlled by emotions or affection.

It is an exercise of divine will. For humans it is that which expresses itself in implicit obedience to God. It is a love that seeks to do good in all things and toward all people – a love that manifests itself in the manner of that from a perfect Being (God) toward entirely unworthy objects (subjects) - us.

And Peter is not there emotionally, he’s human – Peter relies – “Yes, Lord, you know I love you.” But Peter’s allegi3en is to the man, Jesus, and the word Peter uses is phileo – an affectionate, brotherly love that is based in human emotion and feeling. (This is the same word that is the basis for Philadelphia (city of brotherly love) and philanthropy (expressing love of man.) And Jesus says, “Feed my lambs.”

Now Jesus tries a second time – “Peter, do you Agapao me?” (Peter, do you love me with the unconditional love that comes only from God?) And once again Peter replies, “Yes Lord, you know that I phileo you.” (Lord, you know that I love you like a brother.) And Jesus says, “Tend my sheep.”

At this point Jesus decides that this will be enough -- for the time being, brotherly love, affectionate love is good enough for a start. He will meet Peter where he is in his walk and Jesus says to him, “Peter, do you phileo me?” (do you love me like a brother?) And Peter replies, “Yes Lord, you know all things, you know I phileo you.” And Jesus says, “Feed my sheep.”

Jesus picks us up, right where we are – he will take whatever we are able to give to him at any given time – and he will use it – and he will build on it – and he will bring us into his kingdom – // - if we are willing – if we are obedient to his call – if we will walk down the path where he leads.

It is really easy to find those people who we phileo – those we have affection for, that we can love like a brother or sister. It is much harder to agapao – to intentionally love those who are unlovable, to care for those we don’t feel affection for. But that is exactly what God is calling us to do – each and every day. It’s like Ananias going out to heal a man who might turn around and arrest him the minute he is well. God is calling us to be obedient to his will through the intention of our heart. Amen.

Please feel free to email me with comments at nan@doerrworks.com