Pastor Ritter ~ May
Alleluia Christ is Risen! Blessed Eastertide to all of you! What a blessing it has been the last several weeks at Immanuel having our sanctuary filled for worship on Palm Sunday, Easter, and for confirmation Sunday. As we enter into May we begin to turn our thoughts towards warmer days, spending time outdoors, perhaps going camping or fishing, and taking the summer vacations. In the weeks following Christ’s resurrection, what were the disciples doing?
In John chapter 21 we hear Simon Peter tell the other disciples “I am going fishing” and the other disciples tell him they will go with him. As I reflected upon this verse a few things came to my mind. On the Sunday of his resurrection, Jesus (presumably) tells Mary to go tell the disciples and Peter that he is going to Galilee and he will meet them there. (Mark 16:7) It was on the Sea of Galilee that Peter had first met Jesus and it changed his life. It was during that first encounter with Jesus that he invited him, Andrew, James, and John to follow him and he would make them fishers of men.
So is Peter and the other disciples just going back to their old way of life as common everyday fishermen? Or are they returning to where Jesus first called them into discipleship, where he told them he would meet them? In either case, there is a lesson for us to learn. As the disciples are out on the boat fishing, just as Peter and the other disciples had set out to do, Jesus does meet them there. Jesus reinstates Peter who had denied him three times with asking him three times “do you love me” and then telling him to feed his sheep. In doing so, Jesus is reminding Peter and the other disciples that they are still to be fishing for men. And here is the lesson for us.
Easter Sunday 2025 is now behind us, but we are to live everyday of our lives as Easter people. As redeemed children of God we are not to return to our former way of living, but to live as the redeemed. Jesus meets you where you are and he guides you to where he wants you to be. Just as he did for Peter and the other disciples he does for you. Where is he guiding you? Where do you see a need that needs to be fulfilled that you could help with? Who in your life could use a good friend or neighbor? How are you being fed and nourished in the faith so that you can share the love of Jesus with others?
Perhaps Peter was onto something. Perhaps fishing for Peter was more about getting back on track to living the life that Jesus had called him into. Perhaps Easter can be the same for all of us. So…let’s go fishing.