At The Beach...with Jesus

Whenever we see Jesus and bread together, we know something holy and sacred is happening.

If the last few presidential elections have taught us anything, it’s that 48% of our country will vote Democrat, and 48% will vote Republican.

Which means the fate of our country always rests in the hands of roughly 4% of the population.

​If you find that truth alarming that a small minority can have such a huge impact on our lives, consider this: Jesus entrusted his entire mission to just a few, unqualified people.

​What made Jesus think the disciples were capable of building up his church?

I think the answer is simply this:Jesus knew God would be doing all the heavy lifting. If they just trust God and stay faithful to the gospel, things will fall into place.

Today, as we celebrate World Communion Sunday, we are going to look at another meal, that reveals some things about God that will help us stay the course both as Christ followers and as his Church. It comes from the last chapter of John's gospel.

 . . . . .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.” ....

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.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” A second time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep . . . . .​John 21:4-19

As the story begins, it's been 40 days since Easter and the disciples are already back to their old jobs. They are not fishing for people, like Jesus called them to do…but they’re fishing for actual fish. Now, Jesus goes to meet his friends back where he first called them - at the beach.
 
The sun’s light is just beginning to glow. The water is glassy and still. A light fog gives it an eerie calm as a chill slices through the silence. There’s a slow, melodic heartbeat on the shoreline. The steady rhythm of small waves lapping upon the rocks and shells. With the damp sand squishing between his toes,  Jesus calls out to the guys fishing about 100 yards offshore.
 
Again, like he did when he first met them, he tells them where to cast their net. It’s a very naked Simon Peter who first reacts when they recognize the familiar voice. Typical of him, he doesn’t hesitate. He just takes off. Jumping overboard and rushing towards his friend. The others quickly follow.
 
Now besides the location and the calling of his friends, John has woven all sorts of other beautiful symbolism into this story. And if we rush through it to get to the end, we might miss it.

For example, notice it’s Jesus who is waiting for his disciples to come home from work which, again, isn’t going so well. Although he’s patiently waiting, Jesus can’t help himself – nudging them in the right direction to get their catch.
 
For one last time, John wants us to know that through Christ, God is present with us; waiting, nudging, and navigating us through the challenges we will face in life.
 
Next, Jesus isn’t just idly standing by hoping to be noticed. He’s been there for a while, making a fire and preparing breakfast for his friends. This simple, mundane task is ripe with symbolism.
Beginning with the fire itself.
 
In scripture, fire is the symbol of the Holy Spirit.  Like the pillar of fire that guided Israel through the wilderness, or the flames that swirled above the crowd on Pentecost when we see fire, we know God is with us – illuminating our way, and awakening our hearts and minds to see the Divine all around us.

​Here Jesus is the one making the fire. The one bringing the Holy Spirit to us.
 
Another thing about this fire is it’s not made with pieces of driftwood found along the beach. John makes a point to say it’s a charcoal fire. And charcoal isn’t commonly found buried in the sand. Given the early morning hour, we can assume the charcoal store isn’t open which means Jesus had to carry the dirty, bulky load with him...as well as all the breakfast fixin’s.
 
Now there are only two places in the New Testament where we find a charcoal fire. Both are in John’s gospel.

The first is in the courtyard of the high priest where Peter denies Jesus three times. The second is here on the beach, where Jesus will redeem Peter three times for his betrayal. The symbolism of this fire reminds us that through Christ, the Spirit of God not only carries the load, but is always with us, always ready to redeem us.
 
The next symbols might seem obvious. So much so that they could easily be overlooked. And that’s the meal itself – fish and bread. Does it remind you of anything? They were on the menu when Jesus fed the multitudes.
 
As the story goes, a massive crowd came to hear Jesus speak. Apparently no one expected him to talk as long as he did, because no one but a little boy brought anything to eat. The boy offers all that he has to Jesus to help feed the people - a few fish and some bread.

​With this gift of generosity, a miracle happens. What is revealed to us in that story is that through Christ, God feeds our hunger with such great abundance that there’s more than enough leftovers for everyone.

 
John tells us a similar thing happened at the beach that morning. You may have noticed Jesus doesn’t feed his friends his fish. Instead, he instructs them to bring their catch to him. What does this say about Jesus’ expectations for us, and our ministry? To bring people to him.
 
Again, Peter is quick to respond – running to the net and hauling the bounty across the sand by himself. I’m sure that wasn’t easy given the amount of fish…153 to be exact. If each fish weighed 3 pounds, which wouldn’t be unthinkable, then such a load would seem impossible to handle by oneself. Even though the net was weighed down and dragged over shells and rocks, it didn’t tear or break.
 
Why did John feel the need to tell us these things? First of all, Jesus called fishermen. And instructed them to be fishers of people. The way I see it, these fish represent the world. And the net represents those Jesus calls to continue his ministry. That’s you and me. We know what Jesus is asking of us isn’t going to be easy.
 
Loving people can weight you down, and drag you through uncomfortable situations. But I think John wants us to know that no matter what God calls us to do, God’s nets are unbreakable. Through Christ, God equips us to do the work we’re called to do. And like I said earlier, God does all the heavy lifting.
 
Which takes us to the last symbol I want to talk about the bread being warmed by the fire.
From Israel’s exodus out of Egypt to the Last Supper, bread always symbolizes something greater than physical food. It represents God’s Word.

Like Jesus said when tempted in the wilderness, “People do not live by bread alone; but by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.”

You might recall that John describes Jesus both as the Word of God and the Bread of Life. Whenever we see Jesus and bread together, we know something holy and sacred is happening.
 
In this story, it’s in the sharing of bread Jesus give his final instructions to Peter and the gang: “If you love me, feed my lambs and tend to my sheep.” While this is part of Peter’s redemption, it becomes the very core of the church’s identity.
 
Through this simple meal given to us by Christ, God is present, guiding and caring for us, equipping us and sending us to love and serve God and one another. 

As the world gathers to partake in this holy feast, we are reminded that Jesus is the bread that is broken for all who seek to feast on God’s abundant life and salvation.

​Whatever your need is — relational, spiritual, physical, or emotional, — come and meet Christ here at this table. Joining with others from around the world, and across a wide spectrum of faith practices, political alliances, and socioeconomic levels.
 
Many have come from the East and the West, the North and the South to partake in this simple meal of bread and wine. Everyone is invited to join as you are able. This is not our table, but God’s, set by Jesus himself who unites us all, as one people, speaking one truth with one universal language which is love; specifically, God’s love.
 
Come to this feast, not because you have to, but because you want to experience God’s love in the flesh. Whether you’re full of faith or filled with questions, there is enough for everybody. And no one will be sent away hungry.