Easter 2024

Introduction

Is the resurrection of Christ a blessing? For those whose sins are forgiven, yes. For those who love God and His son, yes. But what about those who hate God? No. You see, Jesus prophesied His death and resurrection as well as one day He will judge the entire world (Matt 7:23). Jesus’ enemies didn’t believe the judging the world part because they didn’t believe the resurrecting part. But Easter Sunday still came, the tomb was empty, and Jesus is alive. So, the resurrection is good news for those who love Jesus, but it’s bad news for those who hate, reject, refuse, and deny Jesus.

So, is the resurrection of Jesus good news or bad news for Peter? Peter boasted that even if all fall away from Jesus, He would not (Mark 14:29). But Peter ran scared like everyone else the night Judas betrayed him. And later that night Peter denied knowing Jesus three times. The first song Peter learned at church was probably Psalm 1. Bold Peter found himself sitting in a seat of scoffers getting warm by a coal fire (John 18:18) denying Jesus three times.

The resurrection of Jesus proves that He will save His friends and punish His enemies. Is Peter a friend or an enemy?

The Passage

After these things Jesus manifested Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and He manifested Himself in this way. Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sonsof Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will also come with you.” They went out and got into the boat; and that night they caught nothing. But when the day was now breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. So Jesus said to them, “Children, you do not have any fish, do you?” They answered Him, “No.” And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right-hand side of the boat and you will find a catch.” So they cast, and then they were not able to haul it in because of the great number of fish. Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put his outer garment on (for he was stripped for work), and threw himself into the sea. But the other disciples came in the little boat, for they were not far from the land, but about one hundred yards away, dragging the net full of fish. So when they got out on the land, they saw a charcoal fire already laid and fish placed on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have now caught.” Simon Peter went up and drew the net to land, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples ventured to question Him, “Who are You?” knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and the fish likewise. This is now the third time that Jesus was manifested to the disciples, after He was raised from the dead. So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My lambs.” He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Shepherd My sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Tend My sheep. John 21:1–17

Explain the Passage

In John’s gospel, the third time Jesus visited the disciples was this fishing trip we just read. In verse 3, it looks like Peter just wanted to go fishing with his friends. The sea of Tiberias (v. 1) is the sea of Galilee. They were likely in Galilee because the angel at the tomb said he would meet them in Galilee (Matt 28:7). They fished all night, which was typical, but caught nothing.

Jesus shows up at daybreak (v. 4) and shouts out to them from the beach. They likely thought Jesus was a merchant wanting to buy some fish to sell. He tells them to “throw” their nets on the right side. This is similar to the first time Jesus called Peter, James, and John (Luke 5:1-11). They had fished all night and Jesus told them to throw their nets one more time. Then, they caught so much fish that it broke their nets. This time it was too much to haul in.

John (v. 7) must have remembered their first encounter with Jesus because he told Peter “it is the Lord.” When Peter heard this, he put on his cloak and threw himself overboard. Since the other 6 guys were only 100 yards away, it seems they landed around the same time.

When they walked ashore, they saw Jesus (v. 9) cooking fish on a charcoal fire. Jesus asks for some of the fish they caught and Peter drags the entire haul in himself. Obviously trying to make an impression. They caught 153 (Ezekiel 47:10)

In verse 12, Jesus welcomes them to eat breakfast with him. Afterward, Jesus asks Peter 3 times if He loves him. Jesus uses the word agapao 2/3 times, which means sacrificial love. The bold type of love Peter would boast of having. Peter responds 3/3 times with phileo, which simply means friendly affection. It seems Peter has been humbled since the last time he ate with Jesus. After Peter says that he loves him, Jesus tells him 3 times to take care of His sheep.

So, what does the resurrection mean for Peter?

Before the Resurrection, Peter was too Proud to Want the Cross

The cross of Jesus was a test for Peter. You see, Peter was the first disciple to confess that Jesus is the messiah (Matt 16). But a few verses after He confesses Jesus is messiah, Jesus calls Peter Satan for discouraging Jesus from going to the cross (Matt 16:22-23). Peter understood, the crown, not the cross. He could see the glory, not the suffering leading to the glory.

Jesus had to die in order to receive His glory. You can’t have an empty tomb with an empty cross. Jesus had to be on the cross in order for the tomb to be empty. In order for Jesus to rule over the living, He had to first rule over death.

for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. Romans 14:8–9

Peter’s pride also needed to die in order for Peter to be restored. The cross of Christ killed the sin of all those who trust in Him. But Peter denied Jesus a few hours before He was crucified. Did Jesus take Peter’s sin to the cross? Is Peter one of God’s people? According to Peter, He isn’t

But is that what Jesus said? According to Peter, He doesn’t know Jesus. But according to Jesus, Peter must love God’s people. The forgiveness of Jesus is stronger than the denial of Peter.

Jesus Reconciled Peter to the Church

Notice after breakfast, Jesus speaks to Peter directly, but in the presence of the other disciples. Peter not only needed to be reconciled to Jesus, but Jesus’ people. When Peter ran away from Jesus, He ran away from God’s people and sat down with God’s enemies.

Jesus also questions Peter 3 times to match the 3 denials. Each of Peter’s regretful words is now redeemed by the words of Jesus.

The resurrected Lord restores sinners. If you have made a mess of your life and sinned big time against God, what stops you from being reconciled to God? It isn’t Jesus. He stands saying, “Come to me. Love my people and be counted as one of them.” Do you think your sin is worse than Peter’s? The cross and resurrection show that even if your sin is worse, Jesus’ forgiveness is still stronger.

The Resurrection of Jesus and The Restoration of You

Many people in this county are like Peter. They once boasted great faith in Jesus. But the dwindling numbers in churches show us that those same people have since denied and rejected Jesus. But where Peter wept bitterly after denying His Lord (Luke 22:62), many simply yawn. You feel more comfortable sitting with the blasphemers and deniers of Christ than sharing a meal with Him. You feel confident in that prayer you prayed because you really meant it. But do you love Jesus sheep? Do you love God’s people?

There’s a bunch of people who claim to love Jesus, but they don’t. Jesus is a real person. Most professing Christians in this county love an idea about Jesus. They have an idea about Jesus that He has no opinions about how they live. He makes no demands. He has no expectations. He is faceless, motionless. He is a cardboard cutout with a smile on his face saying “you do you.” But this cardboard cutout Jesus can’t forgive your sins because it didn’t die for your sins. The living, breathing Jesus died for your sins. Do you want to know if your sins are forgiven by Jesus? Do you love His living breathing people? Do you love Jesus’ people who are just as sinful as you are? Do you love Jesus people who have made just as many blunders as you—maybe even toward you? You could be like Peter who made big sins or you could be like the disciples who were also sinned against by Peter.  Either way, Jesus says, “if you love me, then love my sheep.”

So, come to Jesus just as you are so you can leave better than you were. Jesus really ate breakfast with His friends because Jesus is a real Person. The resurrected Lord has all authority and power. But He also has a personality, emotions, thoughts, an eye color, things that make him happy and things that make him sad. We fail to appreciate the significance of Easter when we treat it like a nice thought. Jesus is a real guy. He died and then one day He stopped being dead and He stayed that way. He now rules over everything that’s alive or dead. This Jesus who rules over everything has a favorite Pizza topping. He is either left or right-handed. He either sang tenor, baritone, or bass. He is a real person you can get to know. He is also a real person who has friends and not friends. He welcomes anyone who is not a friend to eat breakfast with him. But if you do, then that means you have to leave the coal fire of blasphemers and eat with Jesus at the coal fire of forgiven blasphemers. You have to be restored where you’re broken. We all have our own version of 3 denials. We also have have the same forgiveness because the same Jesus took those denials on the cross and offers you a resurrection breakfast.

Conclusion

The resurrection restored Peter. He denied Jesus 3 times and He was restored 3 times. Later, in Peter’s story He hauls in a bigger catch than 153 fish. A month or so later, Peter preaches about the grace and forgiveness of sinners and welcomes about 3,000 blasphemers to breakfast. This is Peter’s resurrection story. What is yours?