Hidden In Second Chances
Sermon
The Christ Who Is Hidden
Sermons For The Lord's Supper
Dr. George Truett, a famed Baptist minister of days gone by, tells of a conversation he had with a man who told of his troubles and sins. Finally, after some time, Truett asked, 'What would you like to happen?' Immediately, he answered, 'I would like to start all over again!' Such words are heard often by ministers in their offices.
A couple will sit in a pastor's study, and each will pour out his or her story. It is a story about dreams and hopes that slowly fade. Hurt and unfaithful acts are sometimes part of the story. The old saying is, 'We hurt the ones we love the most.' And it seems that the saying is far too true. An unfaithful act will occur. One spouse will feel deeply pained. The pain of betrayal has a difficult time finding words. And finally, before the conversation is finished, one of the couple will look the pastor directly in the eye and question, 'Is it too late? Is it possible for us to start over again?'
It is a common experience in all of our lives. We experience it at many points. We hear ourselves saying, 'If I had it all to do over again, I would… ' Or we are heard to say, 'I wish I could just be born again, so that I could have a fresh start.'
All of us have experienced the need for a second chance. Sometimes it has been in our relationships with friends, relatives, or co-workers -- even with other church members or the minister. We've had those words between us, and one of us has felt deeply hurt. A feeling of alienation develops between us. Often the pain of our broken relationship moves us to despair. There is a need for a second chance in our relationship.
Again, the cry for a new beginning can be in our relationship with God. Most of us set high ideals for ourselves. We promise ourselves that we are going to be faithful followers of Jesus. We know in our hearts what he has called us to be and do. We are serious about being God's persons. Nothing is going to get in our way. But then it happens. It does not really matter what we do. We just know that it had no part in a life committed to Jesus. We feel so all alone in our sin. Surely Jesus could not need or use us ever again. We feel that God has moved far away from us. We have not reflected the best image of Jesus to others, and we stand in need of a second chance.
The Scripture lesson speaks to us about a second chance. It is a story about Simon Peter. Of all biblical characters, Peter is one of the most intriguing. Many people feel the way I feel about Simon Peter. Often I see myself in Simon Peter. He is one of those persons who is alway saying things without thinking. Thus, Peter frequently put 'his foot in his mouth,' as the expression goes.
The future looks bright. There are rumors of the resurrection of Jesus. Yet Peter isn't impressed with the situation. For some reason, he seems to be disgusted and frustrated with the turn of events. Finally, he is heard to say to the others, 'I've got to get away from here. I'm going fishing.' The other disciples join in by saying, 'Wait, we will go with you.'
Thus they go fishing. They spend all night trying to catch some fish. But they catch nothing. Even after getting into the boat, the other disciples notice that something is bothering Peter. He just isn't his normal self. He isn't talking, and that is very strange for Peter. Not talking is certainly a sign that something is wrong.
Can it be that Peter is thinking over the events of the last several days? Is he recalling his words and actions in the upper room? He had sat and listened to what Jesus was saying about the bread and the cup. Jesus talked about betrayal, and that disturbed Peter. He simply could not imagine deserting Jesus for any reason. Peter remembers what he told Jesus. He had said, 'No, Lord, not me! I will never betray you. Even if I have to die, I will be faithfully by your side.'
Peter cannot get out of his mind what took place in the courtyard. Peter had been with Jesus when the officials came to arrest him. Peter had followed at a 'safe distance' as they took Jesus from the Garden of Gethsemane. The officials took Jesus to the high court. Peter followed and stopped in the courtyard. He did not want to call attention to himself in any way. He quietly sat down at a fire in the courtyard, trying to warm himself from the cool night.
As he sat there, one of the servant women began to stare at him. To say the least, it made him very uncomfortable. He did not want to be noticed. Yet this woman was staring at him. Finally, she came over to him. She spoke to him, accusingly, saying, 'You also were with Jesus, the Galilean (Matthew 26:69b).' Peter denied it, declaring, 'I do not know what you mean (vs. 70).'
Peter moved to the porch, trying to get away from the maid. But another maid came up and said to a bystander, 'This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.' Again, Peter swore with an oath, 'I do not know the man (vss. 71-72).'
In a little while, for the third time, a bystander said to Peter, 'Certainly you are also one of them, for your accent betrays you.' The Bible relates at this point that Peter invoked 'a curse on himself and swore, ‘I do not know the man (vss. 73-74).' '
He can still hear the rooster crowing. It had been just as Jesus had said. 'And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, ‘Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times (vs. 75).' ' What a fool Peter had been! He had promised that he would be faithful even if it meant death. When the push came against the shove, Peter had failed. His heart wanted to explode! A tear comes to Peter's eye again. What painful thoughts!
But more than that is bothering Peter. He knew that Jesus knew what he had done. He can still see those eyes. Jesus evidently was being brought down a flight of stairs, only a short distance from where Peter was standing. The Bible says, 'And the Lord turned and looked at Peter (Luke 22:61a).' Jesus knew that Peter had denied knowing him.
At a safe distance, Peter had watched as they nailed Jesus to the cross. What pain! He loses his breath each time he remembers what they did to Jesus. And Peter left Jesus to die alone. Can he ever be forgiven for his great sins?
Suddenly, Peter is shaken from his agony of thoughts. There is a man standing on the shore, calling something out. It sounds like he said, 'Young men, have you caught any fish?' One can feel the sense of embarrassment the disciples feel. Most of them are professional fishermen. Yet they have not caught a thing during a whole night of fishing.
The man on the shore tells them a curious thing. He tells them to cast their nets over the right side of the boat. The strange part of this story is that they do as the man says. They find their nets so full of fish that they are unable to pull it back into the boat.
It is about this time that John, the beloved disciple, declares loudly, 'It's the Lord. It's Jesus on the shore!' Peter does an unusual thing at this point. During the night, he had been getting in and out of the boat, working with the net. He had stripped down to what might be called his underwear. When John declares that it is Jesus, Peter puts his robe on and jumped into the water and swam into the shore. On the shore, Peter embraces Jesus.
What a beautiful smell! The aroma catches their imagination as the disciples drag the net ashore, alongside the boat. Bread and fish on the fire to begin a new day. Jesus sends to the boat for more fish to put on the fire. Finally, everything is ready, and Jesus and the disciples sit down for a breakfast together.
Most of the bread and fish are eaten. Each sits with a satisfied countenance. The silence of the moment is broken when Jesus speaks directly to Simon Peter. 'Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?' questions Jesus. Peter responds, 'Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.' Jesus says to him, 'Feed my lambs.' A second time Jesus asks Simon, 'Simon, son of John, do you love me?' Peter answers quickly, 'Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.' Jesus adds, 'Tend my sheep.' Finally, a third time Jesus inquires of Simon Peter, 'Simon, son of John, do you love me?' Being questioned a third time upsets Peter. Peter replies rather harshly, saying, 'Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.' After hearing Peter's response, Jesus says a third time: 'Feed my sheep.'
It is then that it happens. Suddenly, Simon Peter understands what Jesus is doing. Three times Peter had denied knowing Jesus. Three times Jesus questioned, 'Simon, son of John, do you love me?' Jesus is offering Peter a second chance. A second chance! Jesus still needs him to work in his kingdom.
What does the story of Simon Peter say to us as we celebrate the Lord's supper this day? It emphasizes that there is no failure, there is no mistake, there is no sin so great that Jesus cannot ask us, 'Do you love me? If you do, then be busy doing my work in the world.' In the celebration, we are being offered a second chance. It is being offered right here at this altar. How will you answer that old question of Jesus, 'Do you love me?'
A couple will sit in a pastor's study, and each will pour out his or her story. It is a story about dreams and hopes that slowly fade. Hurt and unfaithful acts are sometimes part of the story. The old saying is, 'We hurt the ones we love the most.' And it seems that the saying is far too true. An unfaithful act will occur. One spouse will feel deeply pained. The pain of betrayal has a difficult time finding words. And finally, before the conversation is finished, one of the couple will look the pastor directly in the eye and question, 'Is it too late? Is it possible for us to start over again?'
It is a common experience in all of our lives. We experience it at many points. We hear ourselves saying, 'If I had it all to do over again, I would… ' Or we are heard to say, 'I wish I could just be born again, so that I could have a fresh start.'
All of us have experienced the need for a second chance. Sometimes it has been in our relationships with friends, relatives, or co-workers -- even with other church members or the minister. We've had those words between us, and one of us has felt deeply hurt. A feeling of alienation develops between us. Often the pain of our broken relationship moves us to despair. There is a need for a second chance in our relationship.
Again, the cry for a new beginning can be in our relationship with God. Most of us set high ideals for ourselves. We promise ourselves that we are going to be faithful followers of Jesus. We know in our hearts what he has called us to be and do. We are serious about being God's persons. Nothing is going to get in our way. But then it happens. It does not really matter what we do. We just know that it had no part in a life committed to Jesus. We feel so all alone in our sin. Surely Jesus could not need or use us ever again. We feel that God has moved far away from us. We have not reflected the best image of Jesus to others, and we stand in need of a second chance.
The Scripture lesson speaks to us about a second chance. It is a story about Simon Peter. Of all biblical characters, Peter is one of the most intriguing. Many people feel the way I feel about Simon Peter. Often I see myself in Simon Peter. He is one of those persons who is alway saying things without thinking. Thus, Peter frequently put 'his foot in his mouth,' as the expression goes.
The future looks bright. There are rumors of the resurrection of Jesus. Yet Peter isn't impressed with the situation. For some reason, he seems to be disgusted and frustrated with the turn of events. Finally, he is heard to say to the others, 'I've got to get away from here. I'm going fishing.' The other disciples join in by saying, 'Wait, we will go with you.'
Thus they go fishing. They spend all night trying to catch some fish. But they catch nothing. Even after getting into the boat, the other disciples notice that something is bothering Peter. He just isn't his normal self. He isn't talking, and that is very strange for Peter. Not talking is certainly a sign that something is wrong.
Can it be that Peter is thinking over the events of the last several days? Is he recalling his words and actions in the upper room? He had sat and listened to what Jesus was saying about the bread and the cup. Jesus talked about betrayal, and that disturbed Peter. He simply could not imagine deserting Jesus for any reason. Peter remembers what he told Jesus. He had said, 'No, Lord, not me! I will never betray you. Even if I have to die, I will be faithfully by your side.'
Peter cannot get out of his mind what took place in the courtyard. Peter had been with Jesus when the officials came to arrest him. Peter had followed at a 'safe distance' as they took Jesus from the Garden of Gethsemane. The officials took Jesus to the high court. Peter followed and stopped in the courtyard. He did not want to call attention to himself in any way. He quietly sat down at a fire in the courtyard, trying to warm himself from the cool night.
As he sat there, one of the servant women began to stare at him. To say the least, it made him very uncomfortable. He did not want to be noticed. Yet this woman was staring at him. Finally, she came over to him. She spoke to him, accusingly, saying, 'You also were with Jesus, the Galilean (Matthew 26:69b).' Peter denied it, declaring, 'I do not know what you mean (vs. 70).'
Peter moved to the porch, trying to get away from the maid. But another maid came up and said to a bystander, 'This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.' Again, Peter swore with an oath, 'I do not know the man (vss. 71-72).'
In a little while, for the third time, a bystander said to Peter, 'Certainly you are also one of them, for your accent betrays you.' The Bible relates at this point that Peter invoked 'a curse on himself and swore, ‘I do not know the man (vss. 73-74).' '
He can still hear the rooster crowing. It had been just as Jesus had said. 'And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, ‘Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times (vs. 75).' ' What a fool Peter had been! He had promised that he would be faithful even if it meant death. When the push came against the shove, Peter had failed. His heart wanted to explode! A tear comes to Peter's eye again. What painful thoughts!
But more than that is bothering Peter. He knew that Jesus knew what he had done. He can still see those eyes. Jesus evidently was being brought down a flight of stairs, only a short distance from where Peter was standing. The Bible says, 'And the Lord turned and looked at Peter (Luke 22:61a).' Jesus knew that Peter had denied knowing him.
At a safe distance, Peter had watched as they nailed Jesus to the cross. What pain! He loses his breath each time he remembers what they did to Jesus. And Peter left Jesus to die alone. Can he ever be forgiven for his great sins?
Suddenly, Peter is shaken from his agony of thoughts. There is a man standing on the shore, calling something out. It sounds like he said, 'Young men, have you caught any fish?' One can feel the sense of embarrassment the disciples feel. Most of them are professional fishermen. Yet they have not caught a thing during a whole night of fishing.
The man on the shore tells them a curious thing. He tells them to cast their nets over the right side of the boat. The strange part of this story is that they do as the man says. They find their nets so full of fish that they are unable to pull it back into the boat.
It is about this time that John, the beloved disciple, declares loudly, 'It's the Lord. It's Jesus on the shore!' Peter does an unusual thing at this point. During the night, he had been getting in and out of the boat, working with the net. He had stripped down to what might be called his underwear. When John declares that it is Jesus, Peter puts his robe on and jumped into the water and swam into the shore. On the shore, Peter embraces Jesus.
What a beautiful smell! The aroma catches their imagination as the disciples drag the net ashore, alongside the boat. Bread and fish on the fire to begin a new day. Jesus sends to the boat for more fish to put on the fire. Finally, everything is ready, and Jesus and the disciples sit down for a breakfast together.
Most of the bread and fish are eaten. Each sits with a satisfied countenance. The silence of the moment is broken when Jesus speaks directly to Simon Peter. 'Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?' questions Jesus. Peter responds, 'Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.' Jesus says to him, 'Feed my lambs.' A second time Jesus asks Simon, 'Simon, son of John, do you love me?' Peter answers quickly, 'Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.' Jesus adds, 'Tend my sheep.' Finally, a third time Jesus inquires of Simon Peter, 'Simon, son of John, do you love me?' Being questioned a third time upsets Peter. Peter replies rather harshly, saying, 'Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.' After hearing Peter's response, Jesus says a third time: 'Feed my sheep.'
It is then that it happens. Suddenly, Simon Peter understands what Jesus is doing. Three times Peter had denied knowing Jesus. Three times Jesus questioned, 'Simon, son of John, do you love me?' Jesus is offering Peter a second chance. A second chance! Jesus still needs him to work in his kingdom.
What does the story of Simon Peter say to us as we celebrate the Lord's supper this day? It emphasizes that there is no failure, there is no mistake, there is no sin so great that Jesus cannot ask us, 'Do you love me? If you do, then be busy doing my work in the world.' In the celebration, we are being offered a second chance. It is being offered right here at this altar. How will you answer that old question of Jesus, 'Do you love me?'
