Gone Fishin’

Apr 13, 2021

Later, Jesus appeared again to the disciples beside the Sea of Galilee. This is how it happened. Several of the disciples were there - Simon Peter, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), Nathaniel from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples. Simon Peter said, “I'm going fishing.”

- The Apostle John, John 21:1-3

A person can learn beneficial information from books, but they can only acquire wisdom from living a fully engaged life.

- Kilroy J. Oldster

After Easter, I talked to a young dad who said we've ruined church for his kids. I asked him what he meant and he said that after our Easter service his kids were so excited that they ran over to their friends and asked them:

"So… did you have the Easter Bunny at your church today?"

"No," they replied.

"Well… did you have a live animal show at your church?"

"No," they said.

"Surely you had fun crafts, Easter eggs and a surprise activity gift?"

"No," they replied.

"Gee whiz!" my kids exclaimed, "What kind of church do you go to, anyhow?"

Now I'm certainly not saying someone's right and someone's wrong here. It's just that, when Someone you love comes back from the dead, it's time to celebrate… bigtime!

Hands down, Easter… the Resurrection of Jesus Christ… is the greatest event in the history of the world! Jesus rose… so now, everything's changed. The rules of life and death are re-written; the ceiling over us has been removed. Death is defeated. The power of sin is broken. Satan has lost… Jesus is Alive! What an Epic Day!!!!

But now, it's the day after Easter. What are the disciples… the eye-witnesses… what specifically is Peter doing the day after Easter … Fishin'! Peter has Gone Fishin’! What?! Why in the world has Peter gone back to doing the same old things in the same old ways that he was doing before Easter? Why? Because for Peter, Easter was an event, not an encounter with the Risen Lord, Jesus Christ!

Jesus is Risen on Sunday… but I've got Chemotherapy on Monday...

Jesus is Risen on Sunday… but my divorce is final on Monday...

Jesus is Risen on Sunday… but my baby has surgery on Monday...

Jesus is Risen on Sunday… but my husband's memorial is on Monday...

Jesus is Risen on Sunday… but I'm stressed, worried, anxious, angry, confused, afraid on Monday.

Life goes on… same ole, same ole… the way it always has if Easter is just an event. But… if Easter is an encounter with the Risen Lord, Jesus Christ… life can never be the same again!

In John 21, the Risen Jesus appears to Peter on the seashore and asks him three times, "Peter, do you love Me?" Why? Because Jesus knew that Peter was close, but not committed. When Jesus was being led to His trial before the crucifixion the Bible says, "And Peter followed at a distance." (Luke 22:54) In other words, Peter was with Jesus… but not really. He was close… but not committed. So, the Risen Jesus shows up right in the middle of Peter's old pre-Easter life with a choice: "Peter, am I just a footnote to your life? Am I just a hobby in your life? Am I just an interesting acquaintance in your life? Or am I your Life? Will I be the Lord God of your one and only Life?

Let me ask you: what are you doing the day after Easter? You goin' fishin'? Going into Monday the same way you went into all the last Mondays of your life? Or are you going into Monday with the new capacity to live better and to love stronger and to laugh deeper because you committed yourself to following the Risen Jesus you encountered on Easter Sunday?