We are in a series of messages entitled, Followers of the Way. Long before Christians were called by the name of Christ, there were those who sought to follow the way that Jesus and those who knew him lived. They followed the Way of living and sharing, loving and caring that the disciples and apostles did when their lives changed completely after walking with Jesus. Last week, we learned that the Way was following Jesus. This week, we talk about how following the Way is done with naked enthusiasm.
Enthusiasm is being full of God, literally. Theo is the Greek word for God. En relates to fullness. Together, the word describes a person is full of God. When we see someone full of enthusiasm, on fire, we see God shining through them. This is ultimately what people saw in the disciples, but it took a few starts.
This was the third appearance that Jesus made to his friends. This was the third time that made himself known to the disciples. This was third time the disciples were surprised. You might remember the first time, ten of the disciples are gathered in the Upper Room. They have heard the rumor, the hearsay from Mary and the other women that the Jesus that they left on the cross and in the garden tomb was alive! Jesus appeared to them alive in the upper room.
The second time, Thomas had not been with them, so Jesus reappeared this time to the eleven. Grace, upon grace as Thomas puts his fingers in the sides and hands, the wounds of the execution of Jesus. So, that they might know that death is not end and Jesus is alive! Two times, seems quite convincing. But, here in the last chapter of John, we get a third appearance. Now, just for comparison, in Mark, there is no post-resurrection appearance. Luke and Matthew, both get one before the Ascension. John contains three!
This third appearance is in a familiar setting. The disciples revisit their old haunt. Seven of the eleven find their way back to fishing: Peter, Thomas, Nathaniel, James, John and two unnamed disciples (one of whom is the disciple that Jesus loved). They find their way back to making a living and working with their hands. If Jesus is gone, they might as well settle back into making money and contributing to their families.
Peter is ready to return the familiar. He returns the world he knows. He goes back to the job he done before he met Jesus, before his life changed. He goes back to fishing. He has lost the energy and excitement of the resurrection and the appearances. In returning to the normal, what he used to do 3 years ago. However, I can imagine that it does not exactly fit. A lot has changed in the years of walking with Jesus.
And there are no fish. Doesn’t this sounds familiar!?! There are no fish from fishing all night. And someone shows up from the shore giving direction and guidance on doing the job, that they had done for years. But this is what Jesus does. Jesus calls the disciple to do something different, not just the same old, same old. But a new place, a new way, a new awareness. Jesus who is always feeding, always caring, always challenging. Jesus invites the disciples again to a new normal.
It is the recognition of Jesus by the beloved disciple that brings out Peter’s enthusiasm. So much enthusiasm and eagerness that he cannot hold himself back to wait for the others. Peter typifies a full response with excitement, exuberance, enthusiasm. Did you catch the little detail? When Peter realizes that it is Jesus who has led them to catch more fish than they can haul, he quick throws on an outer garment, jumps in the lake and goes to see Jesus.
Now, to me, all of this seems quite backwards. First of all, we find out that Peter has been doing his fishing without full clothing. Most scholars believe he probably had a loin cloth or some such garment on as he labored. Some believe that the poverty of the time excluded the abundance of clothes. You certainly wouldn’t splatter fish guts on your one outfit! Others believe it was practical measure of not letting the tunic get in the way of the work. Whatever the case, Peter put on his tunic and coat to see Jesus. Second, after putting on his clothes, he jumps into the water. Most of us take off outer layers and wear swim suits when jumping into lakes. Peter was so eager to see Jesus, I can almost imagine the tunic billowing around him as he hits the water. Lastly, he abandons a perfectly good boat heading towards the shore to get there quicker himself. The only thing on his mind is getting closer to Jesus.
Why the detail about Peter? Naked is yes, the absence of clothes, but it is also that which is blatant and unfiltered. Naked enthusiasm does not wait to be nicely explained, packaged and marketed. Peter did not look around and see whether the other disciples were signing up to help. Peter did not weigh the challenges of his full schedule. Peter jumped into following Jesus, letting all of the details work themselves out later.
Naked Enthusiasm, being full of God’s spirit with abandon finds you regardless of the rules and the regulations that others have put into place. It was shortly after the American Revolution that the Spirit would not leave Mrs. Jarena Lee alone. She was an African American women in Philadelphia, just after the revolution. She was a freewoman, but she was not fully free to do as the Spirit called her to do. Her pastor, Richard Allen, became the bishop of the newly organized African Methodist Episcopal Church in Philadelphia. She liked her preacher just fine, but she was feeling called to preach and teach. Pastor Allen informed her that she could hold prayer meetings or offer testimony, but no preaching!
She attempted to follow the rules before her, but she wrote that “holy energy, which burned within me, as a fire, began to be smothered.” For eight years, she demurred. She married a pastor, birthed children, and did as she was requested. But in 8 years the death of 5 close loved ones was too much! One night at Bethel AME church, Lee felt the visiting preacher “losing his spirit,” so she stood up and finished the sermon for him. Bishop Allen was in the congregation, recalled their earlier conversation and said he realized her calling was as valid as any man’s. From then on, he allowed her to work as a traveling minister, and she preached for black and white congregations in both the north and south. One year, she reported, she “travelled two thousand three hundred and twenty-five miles, and preached one hundred and seventy-eight sermons.” This enthusiasm of following the way of Jesus could not be pushed aside.
Like disciples, we find ourselves after the excitement of resurrection lost in the ordinary. We have misplaced the enthusiasm of Mrs. Lee for the desire to just get by. We still have piles of bill, full schedules, concerns over health and well-being. We still have to work and care for one another. In fact, Jesus, it is almost feels like a miracle that we got out of the house this morning to get to church.
So, often, we do not follow Jesus with abandon. We count the cost and do figuring. We hear about a call to prayer and we begin to list all the reasons why that doesn’t include us or we don’t have time or we don’t have interest or ability. We hear a need to serve our neighbor and the excuses begin to form in our minds, even before we have heard what the need is. We hear about bible study and already we prepare our reasons for why we already learned about that ten years ago and that time is already scheduled.
After the third appearance, when Peter recognized the Risen Christ, he did not even wait for the boat to make it back to shore. We need Jesus to come to us again and again. To be known to us, each and every time. For you and I, what does it mean to see Jesus, anywhere we find ourselves? It means that Jesus is never limited to one place or one space. Jesus is not limited by our timid responses and tentative figurings. Jesus calls us again, “Children, you have no fish, have you?” That which you want to satisfy you does not, does it? You are working spinning your wheels and getting nowhere.
Come to me. Follow Me. I will give you life, and give it abundantly. Follow me with Naked Enthusiasm, Unfiltered and Full of God!
This is the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, thanks be to God, Amen.
Old Testament Lesson: Revelation 5:11-14
Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels surrounding the throne and the living creatures and the elders; they numbered myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, singing with full voice,
“Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might
and honor and glory and blessing!”
Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, singing, “To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb
be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” And the elders fell down and worshiped.
Gospel Lesson: John 21:1-14
After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he showed himself in this way. Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, you have no fish, have you?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the sea. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off.
When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred fifty-three of them; and though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.
Meditations For Your Week
Sunday, April 10 ~ Saturday, April 16
Sunday: “After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he showed himself in this way.” John 21: 1. Jesus is always finding ways to show himself to us. Are you looking for Jesus?
Monday: “Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.” John 21: 4. We are not always aware of when Jesus is in our midst. Prayerfully consider how Jesus met you over the last week.
Tuesday: “That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord!’ When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the lake.” John 21: 7. Peter’s enthusiasm for the Lord is catching. Who are you sharing your God moments with?
Wednesday: “Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’ Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ because they knew it was the Lord.” John 21: 12. Jesus cares for us in all of our needs. Give thanks to God today as you contemplate how you might serve the needs of others.
Thursday: “Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels surrounding the throne and the living creatures and the elders; they numbered myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands.” Revelation 5:11. Ask God to open your eyes to those around you who join in praising God.
Friday: “Singing with full voice, ‘Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!’” Revelation 5:12. Play some of your favorite music of praise! Sing along!
Saturday: “Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, singing, ‘To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might for ever and ever!’” Revelation 5: 13. The vision of God’s way is full of praise. Join in the praise, even now.