Now they know who Jesus is. Now they know what Jesus wants of them. Now Jesus prepares them to be sent out in his name.
Our Lord Jesus, the Messiah, the very Word of God, has come into the world, bringing light and life. For those who are oppressed, suffering, outcast, this is very good news and the transformation that Jesus brings is remarkable. For those of us who are comfortable and who want to hold on to our comfort and maintain the status quo, this news brings fear and even anger. Both groups fall into the camp of Jesus' sheep - and Jesus bids his disciples to feed and care for his sheep.
On this Third Sunday, the youth of Grace served in leadership roles throughout both services. They presented the gospel and reflected on it through a sermon skit:
JESUS ON THE BEACH – A POST
EASTER VISIT
Narrator: So, after Jesus died and then rose again from
the dead, he appeared to his disciples, to help prepare them for carrying on
his ministry of love. He knew he would soon leave them to ascend into heaven. The
third of these appearances happened when Jesus showed himself again to his disciples
by the sea of Tiberius.
Narrator: Gathered there were Simon Peter, Thomas,
Narrator: …. Nathanael of
Cana in Galilee,
James and John, the sons of
Zebedee,
and two other disciples.
Simon Peter: I am
going fishing.
All Disciples: We will go with you!
Narrator: So, the disciples
all went to the boat, got in, and cast off the dock. They fished all night but
caught nothing.
The disciples are having no luck catching fish
– they throw nets over the side of the boat and pull up empty nets time after
time
Narrator: Jesus appeared on
the beach and though they could see him, none of them recognized Jesus or knew
who he was. But soon they knew him.
James: Do you see that guy on the beach?
John: Yeah – who do you think it is?
Thomas: I’m not so sure it is a guy.
Simon: Thomas, what in the world are you talking
about?
Thomas: I’m just not sure I believe what my eyes are
seeing
Nathanael: Oh, Thomas, you
are such a doubter!
Rest of the Disciples: Yup,
that our Doubting Thomas, right there!
Simon: Oh, that!
John: Now that we are closer
and the sun is brighter, NOW can you see him?
Jesus: Children, have you no
fish?
Thomas: Not only see him, but HEAR him!
Disciples all talk: No we
don’t have any, we haven’t caught anything all night, etc. etc.
Jesus: Cast the net to the
right side of the boat and you will find some!
Disciples cast net just as Jesus told them.
The net is now full of fish, and they struggled to haul it into the boat.
The disciples pull, and strain, struggling
to pull the net in..
Narrator: Suddenly, John,
who is known as “the disciple Jesus loved,” REALIZED who this person was. He
exclaimed:
John: It is the Lord!
Narrator: Fishing is messy
business, and so Simon Peter had removed his clothing while they worked. Now he
put his clothes back on, jumped into the sea, and swam to shore. As the other
disciples brought the boat to shore, dragging the net full of fish, Jesus built
a charcoal fire and made them all breakfast.
Simon Peter puts on some clothes, and swims
to the shore.
Simon Peter: Oh, my Lord!
Others bring the boat to shore, dragging the
net full of fish.
Jesus builds a fire and makes them all
breakfast with fish and bread.
Jesus: With this fish and
bread I will feed these disciples, that they may be strengthened for service in
my name.
Simon Peter Trying to drag the
now-full net. This net is so heavy, I can hardly move it yet it is
not torn! Nathanael
and Thomas rush to help.
James & John
(alternating numbers): 1…5…3….7….. (together) 153 fish!
Jesus: Bring some of the
fish you have just caught.
Jesus: Come, all of you, and have
breakfast.
Jesus takes bread and fish and hands it out
to the disciples.
Jesus turns to Simon Peter.
Jesus: Simon, son of John,
do you love me more than these?
Simon: Yes, Lord, you know
that I love you.
Jesus: Feed my lambs!
Narrator: A second time,
Jesus asked Simon Peter:
Jesus: Simon, son of John,
do you love me?
Simon: Yes, Lord, you KNOW
that I love you.
Jesus: Tend my sheep!
Narrator: And yet another
time, Jesus spoke to Simon Peter:
Jesus: Simon, son of John,
do you love me?
Simon: Lord, you know everything,
you know that I love you!
Narrator: The disciples looked at each other. What
could it mean that Jesus had to ask Simon Peter, the one who was their de facto
leader, the same question about love a third
time!
Jesus said to Simon Peter
and all the rest:
Jesus: Very truly I tell you, when you were younger,
you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you
grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone will fasten a belt around
you and take you where you do not wish to go…. Follow me.
Narrator: We might ask what this story means and why
the evangelist John told it. A clue might be the commission Jesus gave his
disciples a short while before he was taken away to die. They are to work for
him. They are to love him and in turn love others. Their lives are to be marked
by this love.
Nathanael: That’s right! They are to be filled with
God’s breath and sent into the world as Jesus had been.
James: And really, like we all are.
Narrator: But you know, if they try to do it their own
way, without relying on Jesus, God’s very own Word, they’ll come up empty.
Nathanael: Yea, like the fishing nets.
Narrator: Right. They can work and strain and cast
those nets in time and again and they will get nothing – nada – nietz.
Simon Peter: But when they do things GOD’S way, the way
of love,….
Narrator: When they listen to Jesus,….
John: And do what he says,….
James: Then, who KNOWS what they might achieve.
Narrator: So,
stand in your mind’s eye with the disciples in the boat. Imagine the things,
the relationships, the jobs and work you are laboring over,
Simon Peter: Struggling over,
Thomas: Stressing over,
John: and getting nowhere.
Narrator: and watch for the dawn. Watch for the figure
on the shore. Listen to his voice, and then do whatever he tells you.
All together: AMEN!!!
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