They Knew It Was the Lord
When Jesus shows up, will we recognize him?
We’ve talked before about how Jesus is used widely by a vast array of people. And how he’s understood in multifarious ways. In one sense, this is a beautiful thing: the day of the Spirit’s coming at Pentecost demonstrates to us that the people of God is a very diverse group, indeed.
But that does not mean that Jesus becomes whatever people want. He is specifically characterized in the gospels as a particular person. The Church has come to rest upon certain boundaries within the creeds and doctrine.
The question is profound, wrenching: When Jesus shows up, will we recognize him?
The Church spends much of its time spectacularizing Jesus. Whether it’s the fascinating cathedrals of the Western Church, the deep and beautiful art of the Eastern Church, the musical stage production of the evangelical Church, or the wild experience of the pentecostal Church…we often gravitate toward the grandiose.
What if Jesus is just a guy making breakfast on the beach?
John 21:1-14
Later, Jesus himself appeared again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. This is how it happened: Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, Zebedee’s sons, and two other disciples were together. Simon Peter told them, “I’m going fishing.”
They said, “We’ll go with you.” They set out in a boat, but throughout the night they caught nothing. Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples didn’t realize it was Jesus.
Jesus called to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?”
They answered him, “No.”
He said, “Cast your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.”
So they did, and there were so many fish that they couldn’t haul in the net. Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard it was the Lord, he wrapped his coat around himself (for he was naked) and jumped into the water. The other disciples followed in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they weren’t far from shore, only about one hundred yards.
When they landed, they saw a fire there, with fish on it, and some bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you’ve just caught.” Simon Peter got up and pulled the net to shore. It was full of large fish, one hundred fifty-three of them. Yet the net hadn’t torn, even with so many fish. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples could bring themselves to ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread, and gave it to them. He did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.
Psalm 30:11-12
You changed my mourning into dancing. You took off my funeral clothes and dressed me up in joy so that my whole being might sing praises to you and never stop. Lord, my God, I will give thanks to you forever.
Prayer
God,
Don’t let me miss Jesus. In word, I hold him high: Savior of the world, Lord of all Creation, Son of God, face-transfiguring and life-transforming miracle worker.
But, let me not miss the cross-bearing, children-welcoming, foot-washing, and meal-making Jesus.
So many of us missed him the first time. Don’t let us miss him now as he works in the unnoticed corners by unrecognized people.
By your Spirit & in Christ,
Amen.