1. Title: Walking After The Cross
2. Text: John 21
3. Audience: Villa Heights Christian Church, AM crowd, April 16, 2006, Easter Sunday, Last in the series “Walk to the Cross”
4. Objectives:
-for the people to be reminded of God’s plan and their part in it; to understand how this 3rd resurrection appearance calls us to remember God’s plan and our part in it
-for the people to feel forgiven by the blood of Jesus and to have great hope because He is alive;
-for the people to live their life with a better sense of purpose and direction than when they fail to remember all that’s implied by Jesus’ resurrection
5. When I finish my sermon I want my audience to consider how the resurrection should affect the way we think about life and to live like people who are forgiven and called by God to be used by Him in the enacting of His great plan
6. Type: Textual
7. Dominant Thought: Lives lived in light of Jesus’ resurrection are different than those that ignore it
8. Outline:
Intro – Peggy Key of MI was driving to church on Easter Sunday. She told her children the Easter story. She explained, "This is the day we celebrate Jesus coming back to life." Right away, her 3-year-old son, Kevin, piped up from the back seat, "Will He be in church today?"
I wish that I could tell Kevin that yes He is with us here today, along with His promise that He’ll be with us to the very end of the age. Jesus is here today! He is alive!
We’ve walked to the cross over the past few weeks. This morning, the cross is over, and we’re still going to consider our walk. How do we walk, after the cross and empty tomb?
There are 4 verses In I Co that address that pretty strongly:
1 Corinthians 15:17-20
And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
Christ has indeed been raised. So what does that mean about us? Let’s go back to v17:
Your faith is not futile; not in vain
-we don’t serve a dead Lord! There plenty of people putting their faith into a lot of dead things. It’s all in vain. I believe in a risen Savior Who’s going to bring eternal life to my body someday.
You’re not still in your sins
-If Jesus wasn’t raised, I’d still be in my sins. Now, I’m not sure exactly how that works out, but I’ll believe it first. If Jesus had not been raised, my forgiveness wouldn’t have been complete.
Those who have died in Jesus are saved
-Now, if Jesus weren’t alive, we’d have a reason to grieve without hope for people who have died in Christ. But we’re looking forward to being reunited with those people, and the resurrection of Jesus is the reason.
We’re not to be pitied. We’re not pitiable.
If we were living the life of Christians now and it turned out we were wrong – that we really aren’t going to live beyond this life – we’d deserve the world’s pity. Everything we’re counting on would be a farce. But Jesus is alive, and our hope goes beyond this life. It’s not a farce.
The resurrection of Jesus is pivotal to all we believe. Jesus is alive, and He helped verify that resurrection by deliberately appearing to His followers over a period of 40 days.
1 Corinthians 15:3-8
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.
At the end of John’s gospel, Jesus makes one of those appearances. John points out that it’s Jesus’ 3rd appearance – at least to the group. And each time Jesus does make an appearance, it has a purpose:
Resurrection.
Obviously, Jesus wanted them to see that He is alive. There were enough eye-witnesses and enough credible accounts about the resurrection to accept that it’s real. Jesus really did rise from the dead. When Thomas doubted it, He came and showed Himself to Thomas. He wanted His followers to believe that He really was alive, just as He had predicted.
Another reason for His appearances is to give us…
Reminders
We have one reminder in baptism. There’s nothing else that God has given to us for a vivid memory like being baptized. We get all caught up, thinking that baptism is something we do for God. It’s not! It’s our appeal to God to be made clean. It’s also an event from God to us to remind us – something we can look back on and be assured that God has taken care of our sin problem. That’s how the HS speaks of baptism in Ro 6. It’s an event. It’s something we can look back on and be reminded about what God accomplished there. It’s the place where we are united with Jesus in the likeness of His death and His resurrection. Just as Jesus died and was buried and raised, we too are putting to death the old person of sin, burying that person, and being raised up to walk a new life.
We have another reminder each week in the LS.
Does it remind us of the cross? Yes. Does it remind us of Jesus’ suffering for us? Yes. But it also is a way of testifying that this same Jesus is coming again – a Jesus Who is alive and Who won’t empty Himself before His next visit.
In today’s text, we see another reminder. It was a deliberate reminder from Jesus for His disciples, and it’s a deliberate reminder for us as we read it.
John 21:1-14
Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Tiberias. It happened this way: Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. "I’m going out to fish," Simon Peter told them, and they said, "We’ll go with you." So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, "Friends, haven’t you any fish?" "No," they answered. He said, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, "It is the Lord," he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish you have just caught." Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." None of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.
I. Remember the Plan
It’s not just a coincidence. You can see the design of Jesus in the way this scene unfolds. You can see it in the way John writes it for us. The whole event pointed back to another day some 3 years earlier on the same Sea of Galilee. It may have even been the same boat. 4 of these same fishermen had fished all night without a single fish. This same Jesus told them to try one more time. That may have seemed silly, just like it had 3 years before. And, just like 3 years before, they ended up with a net so full of fish they could hardly handle it. Three years before, Peter was confronted with the fact that this man standing in front of him was more than just a man. “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” Still Jesus would urge Peter to follow Him and He would make him a fisherman for the souls of men. This time a light comes on over John’s head first – “Let’s see, fish all night, catch nothing. Man tells us to try again, catch more fish than we can even handle – It’s the Lord!” This time, Peter’s a first responder again. He jumps overboard and heads for the shore. This time, all of them realize Who Jesus is. No one questions that. After some visiting, Jesus is going to tell Peter, “Follow Me.”
John 21
• that night they caught nothing…
• "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some."
• they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish…
• The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish…
• He said to him, "Follow me!"…
Luke 5
• we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything…
• “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch."
• they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break…
• they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink…
• “Follow Me!” (Matthew 4)
It’s all coming full-circle. At the cross, all their great hopes had been dashed on the rocks. They saw what they thought was God’s plan, but it was different than they thought all along. Now, they’ve seen Jesus on 2 occasions since He arose. Just like a day 3 years before, once again, there’s a miracle to show these men Who Jesus is. Once again, there’s a call from Jesus to trust Him, and then to follow Him. Once again, there’s a calling to be more than just fishermen. God’s plan calls for them to become fishermen for the souls of men, and Jesus wants them to have an active role in it. The whole thing is a big re-call – recall, men, Who Jesus is; remember what Jesus can do; remember God’s great plan.
There lies here a reminder that God treats us each the same. We’re supposed to live our lives in light of the fact that Jesus rose again. He has work for us to do. From the very beginning of Him coming to earth that has been His plan, and it’s being fulfilled to this very day.
God’s plan for salvation is the same for everybody. I’m so glad for that. It’s not subjective. It’s not going be graded on the curve. It’s the same for everyone, with no preferential treatment.
Galatians 3:26-28
You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
On the other hand, God’s plan gets very personal too. How Peter related to Jesus was most important to Peter. Peter was the only person who had done exactly what Peter had done. Peter was the only person who needed what Jesus was going to do for him after they finished breakfast on the seashore. So, let’s not just remember the plan. Be sure to…
II. Remember Your Part
1. Your Failures
John 21:15-17
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep." The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.”
This was now a private conversation between Jesus and Peter. Now, there are some subtle nuances in the words each time Jesus asks Peter. They change a little bit. But I think what’s more significant is that Jesus asked him basically the same question 3X. Remember, Peter had been asked 3 times a similar question while Jesus was being put on trial – “Hey, aren’t you one of His followers? Don’t you hang out with Jesus?” 3X Peter denied he even knew Jesus. Now here, on the shores of Galilee, Jesus asks him a similar question. “Are you really one of mine? Do you really love Me?” And it’s when Jesus asks him a 3rd time that Peter is hurt. Why? Peter knew full well he had denied even knowing Jesus 3X. Now, Jesus asks him 3X – do you love Me? Peter knew he’d failed. Jesus knew Peter had failed. It was time to confront his mess-up.
Have you ever let someone down – they knew it, you knew it, and it created an awkwardness between the 2 of you. Rather than talking about it, you let it linger there, and it became a real barrier in your relationship. How much better it would have been if one of you had said to the other, “Hey, we need to talk. This issue is in the way. Let’s deal with it and be done with it.” That’s what I see Jesus doing for Peter. No more awkwardness. No more pretending it didn’t happen. “Peter, let’s deal with your failure.”
When it comes to remembering your part in God’s plan, remember this: your failures are a part of it. Your failures and mine are what made it necessary for the whole thing to happen. Don’t look at the cross and blame the angry Jews. Don’t blame the Roman soldiers. Look at the cross and remember that sin is that serious – that your sins and mine cost dearly. That’s a part of our part in the whole plan. We helped make it necessary in the first place.
2. You’re Forgiven!
Confronting failure is awkward. It’s never easy. In Peter’s case, the text says it “hurt” him. We can understand that. Here was Peter, face to face with Jesus, and discussing the way he had denied he even knew Jesus – Peter, who had said, “Everyone else may deny You, Lord, but not me! I’d go to the death for you!” and who then denied knowing Jesus. But there wasn’t a rebuke. There was no need for one. Peter had already repented of his mess-up. He was genuinely sorry.
Remember, this is the same man to whom Jesus said, “I’ll give you the keys of the Kingdom.” Peter was going to have a very important role as the church began. On the day of Pentecost – the day the Church was born - it would especially be Peter who stands up and preaches. Jesus still wants to use Peter. He’s going to trust him with the care of people in the early Church. His failure was forgiven!
If you’re a follower of Jesus this morning, here’s good news: You’re forgiven! Whatever you did to let Jesus down, it’s forgiven. You need to confront it. You need to freely admit your failure, but you need also to understand that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Jesus died on the cross so that you might die to sin and live to righteousness. The way Jesus still plans to use Peter for His great plan ought to remind us this morning that there’s hope for each one of us.
3. Your Future
John 21:18-22
I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!" Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, "Lord, who is going to betray you?") When Peter saw him, he asked, "Lord, what about him?" Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me."
Tough times are ahead, Peter. And when they come, I want you to follow Me. I’m not sure I’d want to know very much about my future, especially if it contained the day that I’d be arrested and suffer death for being a follower of Jesus. Peter takes this all in, sees that John is following them, and he naturally says, “What about him?”
You know what? Jesus doesn’t want us to wasted time worrying about what others “get” from Him.
Ill - Remember the parable of the vineyard workers in Mt 20? A man hired some guys to work his grapes, agreeing to pay them a denarius for the day. Then, he went out and found some more, and 3 hours later, some more, and 3 hours later, some more, and then, right near the end of the workday, he went out and found some more. The day ended, and he lined up the workers to receive their pay. He started with guys who had worked the least, and he gave each of them one denarius. When the guys who had worked all day got their one denarius, they started complaining. “No fair! We worked all day, did most the work, and you’re paying these guys the same!”
Let me translate at this point: “No fair! I’ve been a member here for 20 years, and they just showed up! No fair! I give a whole lot more than that person even can! No fair! Why should she get to pick the colors? Why should he be asked to give his opinion when I wasn’t? Why should the youth group get to say how it goes? Why should the senior saints get preferential treatment? Why should that group get to pick the room they’ll use? Why should they get to set the schedule? How come they get a bigger chunk of the budget? – You get the picture.
So the vineyard owner tells the jealous workers, “I’m not being unfair to you. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same I gave you. Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I’m generous?”
Jesus’ response to Peter’s question reminds me a lot of this parable. Peter has just been told that some day, he’s going to die for Jesus. He’s going to be bound and killed. Peter sees John walking behind them. “OK, Jesus, what about him?” And Jesus’ response puts Peter’s attention back where it ought to be – not “what does John get out of this deal? How does John compare to me?” Jesus says, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” In other words, don’t worry about what your brother or sister in Christ gets. Don’t get caught up in whether or not it’s “fair.” If we all got what we deserved we wouldn’t even be here anyway, amen? So, when it comes to these kinds of questions, you have a first priority: follow Jesus. Don’t try to make your loyalty to Jesus depend on someone else. It doesn’t. Remember your part in your future.
The fact that Jesus is alive, that we personally answer to Him before we answer to one another, points us to our part in the future. You, follow Jesus.
Conclusion:
Ill - A man rises to face his day like usual. This day, however, he has a doctor appointment. He’s had to work really hard to fit it into his busy schedule. He expected the dr. to be a long wait and to have to allow for that extra time. What he didn’t expect, though, was to hear that he might have a malignant tumor. What were the odds? The dr. couldn’t be sure. Tests were scheduled, a biopsy. It was going to be a couple weeks. Then, it would be another week before the results came back. Finally, the day came for the follow-up visit with the dr. No cancer! What a relief! No chemotherapy. No radiation. No surgery, even. So, does he go back to life just like before? No. He just had a brush with death. What used to look so important before doesn’t look as important now. Spending more time with the people he loves takes on a higher priority. He now has a tendency to change a conversation to something more important than the weather. He’s been given back his life when he feared it was over. He won’t go on living just like it never happened. Things have changed.
Having been to the cross, and now the empty tomb, how should we live?
In Peter’s case, he would never be the same again. The fact of the resurrection just proved without a shadow of doubt that Jesus was Who He claimed to be. It helped give extraordinary boldness to an ordinary fisherman.
Ill - Bob Russell tells about a woman who wrote to J. Vernon McGee: "Our preacher said that on Easter Jesus just swooned on the cross and that the disciples nursed him back to health. What do you think?" McGee replied, "Dear Sister, beat your preacher with a leather whip for thirty-nine heavy strokes. Nail him to a cross. Hang him in the sun for six hours Run a spear through his heart. Embalm him. Put him in an airless tomb for three days. Then see what happens."
For most of recorded history there have been men who’ve claimed to be something. But not one of them ever claimed he’d come back to life to prove it. The resurrection separates Jesus from every other person. What we’re talking about here isn’t just some good man. He’s the Son of God, the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world.
How should we live? Like people who’ve been forgiven! Like people who can be forgiven! That’s you this morning. You’re one or the other. You’re either living your life in the shadow of God’s plan for you, or you’re ignoring it and hoping it will go away.
