April 14, 2013
Easter 3
Acts 9:1-9
John 21:15-10
(prayer)
I have to admit that I was not a big political supporter of Ralph Kline, but I will say that he was a most authentic leader. I respect that. He was pretty honest (so you knew what you agreed with and what you didn’t); and he was open to change and compromise when the political winds blew.
At his memorial service on April 5th, former Ontario premier Mike Harris spoke about when Ralph took up golf, how he quickly became a fan of ‘the mulligan’ – that wonderful part of a fun game of golf, where the other members of your party can let you have a do-over, after a less than stellar shot.
I golfed in a fundraising church tournament in Whitecourt a few years ago and you could purchase “mulligans” before your round. They probably made more money on that than the green fees or the banquet.
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I’m sure there are many aspects of our lives where we would love to have a ‘do-over’.
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I was watching a news story on CNN the other day about a number of politicians who are attempted comebacks after some major scandal (with politicians, it was usually a revelation about some sexual indiscretion that lead their fall from grace).
The story focused on two current US politicians seeking to be elected anew:
There is Mark Sandford: the former governor of South Carolina who wants to gain a House of Representative seat. Sandford was the guy who told his staff he was hiking in the Appalachian mountains when he was really in Argentina with his mistress. It was also discovered that he had misused state travel funds relating to his affair, so he resigned. Unlike most of these cases, Gov Sanford’s wife actually left him and divorced him asap.
Secondly, the CNN story focused on Anthony Wiener who is floating trial balloons about running for New York Mayor at the next election. Wiener is the aptly named former US representative from the state of New York who made the news by sending pictures of his ‘tight’ underwear to a certain young female follower on twitter. He resigned, but his wife stood by her man.
They might get another shot at political stardom. After all, Bill Clinton was once an impeached President and is now (easily) the most popular political figure in the US.
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Generally... people can find that they will be given second chances in this life. We all love a good comeback story.
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And... I am sure that when we have experienced the grace of a mulligan in life, we have appreciated it. I know that is true for me.
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The Gospel (the good news) of Jesus is that God loves us unconditionally. The new testament authors used the greek word agapé (agaph) – the most significant greek word we translate as love – it is more than romantic love (eros - erwς) or family love (philia - qilia) or passing affection (storgé - storgh) - agaph is deep, fully committed love, that is unbreakable.
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One of the most famous passages from the letters of Paul is his love poem in 1st Corinthians chapter 13: If I had faith enough to move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing ... Love is patient and kind ... There is faith, hope and love, but the greatest of these gifts is love.
Paul uses agaph in this passage.
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What did Paul know about agaph?
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I’ll talk about that in a few minutes. First let’s talk about Peter. His real name was Shimon ben Yohanan (Simon, son of John). He was a fisherman by trade. Jesus gave him the nickname "Cephas" which means rock. Translate the aramaic to english via greek and you get Peter. Presumably, Jesus saw him as a pretty solid disciple: Peter, the rock.
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The way the gospel of John lays out the story, on the Sunday after Jesus was crucified, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb alone, only to discover the stone was rolled away and Jesus body had been removed. She went for help and Peter was one of the ones who came to see what had happened. Yes, Peter confirmed the news: the tomb was empty and Jesus’ body was gone. That was it. Later that morning, back in Jerusalem, Peter and the others listened to Mary tell them about meeting Jesus (alive, resurrected) in the garden by the tomb. She claimed to have spoken with him; he called her by name. “I have seen the lord”, she told them.
It was hard to believe.
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But that same evening, Peter and the others (well, almost all of them) were visited by the risen Jesus in their rented room in Jerusalem. Peter and the other others saw Jesus’ mortal wounds. They could touch him and see for themselves. Jesus had died and was now living again.
Jesus commissioned Peter and the others to carry on his work; they were being sent out, as Jesus had been sent by God, offering the forgiveness and reconciliation needed by the world, guided by the ever-presence of the Holy Spirit.
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Some time later, back in Galilee, Peter was among seven former disciples out for a night of fishing. Even though, the Risen Christ had commissioned them to an on-going ministry, they had gone back to their old job.
But after three years of discipling, it seems that they had lost their touch. All night long, they cast nets, but not a single fish. Until... as dawn approached and they headed toward shore, someone on the beach suggested that they try again, on the other side of the boat.
So many fish: they could barely haul in the nets.
It was at that point that Peter figured out that it was Jesus on the shore, who had showed them the way. Peter was so excited that he swam to Jesus on the beach leaving the others to deal with the catch.
When the fish arrived, they all had a fresh cooked breakfast.
That is where we picked up the story this morning.
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"Simon, son of John, do you love me?"
Again...
"Simon, son of John, do you love me?"
A third time...
"Simon, son of John, do you love me?"
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There are many levels to explore with this passage. We could be here a long time. But briefly...
- The questions all look the same in English, but in the original greek the first two times Jesus asks the question, the word is philia: Simon, do you love me [like a brother]? The last time it is agape: Simon, do you love me [without reservation]? The text says that Peter was upset by the third question. A quick interpretation usually is that Peter was hurt and frustrated because Jesus kept asking over and over again even though Peter continually said yes, but it may be because Jesus upped the ante with the third question that bothered Peter.
- Even the first two questions are different even though "love" is philia in both. Jesus caveats the first question: do you love me 'more than these'? In a way the first question is... are you my most loyal disciple? If none of the others loved Jesus at all, Peter could answer yes, without having to love very deeply at all. So, the second question was unqualified... simply, do you love me?
- We could also take a look at the three similar, but nevertheless different, answers: feed my lambs, tend my sheep and feed my sheep. There seems to be an increasing level of responsibility each time.
- First, ensure that the little ones, the newst members of the flock can grow and mature.
- Second, watch over the full flock.
- And, finally, do more than watch the flock, help every continue to grow and reach their greatest possible maturity. That last one is going to take real commitment.
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But today, I want to focus a bit on a very symbolic aspect of this story from the final chapter of John's gospel.
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After Jesus was arrested, Peter waited outside the high priest's house. He warmed himself by a fire, with some other people.
Aren't you one of that man's disciples?
1. No, I am not.
You are one of that man's disciples!
2. No, not me.
But, I saw you with him in the garden tonight.
3. No, I wasn't there.
Three times, Peter, the rock, crumbled and denied having anything to do with Jesus. Fear was stronger than loyalty. Less than a day later, Jesus was dead. Even after the wonder of Easter, Peter had deep regrets. He felt unworthy of the nickname Jesus had given him.
Maybe that's why Simon, the son of John, was so eager to reclaim his pre-Jesus identity: "I am going fishing".
- I don't know him! Simon, do you love me more than these? Yes, lord, you know that I love you. Feed my lambs.
- No, I am not one of his disciples! Simon, do you love me? Yes, lord, you know that I love you. Tend my sheep.
- I was not there tonight; I don't know him! Simon, do you agape-love me? Oh, lord, you know everything, you know that I love you. Feed my sheep.
Three denials; three affirmations. "I don't know him" became "Yes, I love you".
Jesus provided an opportunity for Peter's sand-like support to become rock-solid.
Peter could love with agape love because he knew the wonder of being loved in that way.
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Paul was a faithful hebrew from Tarsus - a city in what is now modern Turkey. Not all of the Jewish people lived in Judea or Galilee. Others were disbursed throughout the greek speaking world. We know this apostle as Paul, which is the greek version of his name. In hebrew, he would have been called Saul. Named after the first king of Israel.
Saul/Paul was a fierce opponent to the early Christians. He agreed with the Temple leaders that the followers of Jesus' Way were off track. He was concerned that their message was attracting new followers, not fading away. The Christian gospel was rumoured to have spread beyond Judea and Galilee.
Saul was so motivated to stop the followers of Jesus that he obtained letters of authority from the High Priest to present to synagogues in Damascus that said he could arrest any followers of The Way and bring them bound back to Jerusalem.
As we read earlier, on the Damascus road, Saul was knocked off his horse by a blinding light. The persecutor of Jesus becomes dependent on his followers. After a slow, dark three day journey to Damascus, Paul was found by Ananias, a followers of The Way who laid his hands on the helpless persecuter and said, "brother Saul, the lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road has sent me that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit". Paul's sight returned and he got up and was baptized.
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Paul could love with agape love because he knew the wonder of being loved in that way.
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Peter and Paul were taught to love, by receiving love in their lives. And it was contagious. These two changed apostles became the twin pillars of the first generations of the church.
Peter ministered in the lands of Israel an apostle among his own people.
Paul became an apostle to the gentiles.
Between Paul and Peter, Christianity became a worldwide movement. [start music - see link below]
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Changes are always possible. There is nothing beyond the reach of divine compassion.
Changes can and do happen when "love" gets its way.
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[after music]
When love gets in the Way, change can happen. Paul knew the truth of that. Peter knew the truth of that. May it be so with us. Amen.
[after music]
When love gets in the Way, change can happen. Paul knew the truth of that. Peter knew the truth of that. May it be so with us. Amen.
#326VU
"O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing""
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