Date: May 4, 2025

Scripture: John 21:1-19

Sermon Title: “Back to the Prologue”

Preacher: Rev. Dr. Bob Jon

During the pandemic, I am sure that it felt suffocating to stay home for many of you. One week passed. Two weeks passed. A month passed. When it became clearer to us that the pandemic was here to stay for a long time, we had to find an outlet to be able to breathe and find joy in our lives. For me, it was fishing. From time to time, I brought my boys to the fishing pier in New London, Connecticut. It was time to stay away from others even including your own extended families. When we went to the fishing pier, we were not the only people there, but the place was big enough to allow people to stay in distance. We could take off our masks and breathe the fresh ocean air. I pulled out the fishing pole, hooked a sandworm, and cast it to the ocean. 

At that time, Daniel was 7-year-old and Joshua 2. Daniel could fish patiently for at least a couple of hours. On his first day of fishing, he caught a sea robin, which made a very bizarre sound. Behind the screaming of my boys, I unhooked the sea robin and tossed it back to the ocean. Joshua was eager to catch something. But after only 3 or 4 minutes, he would throw his fishing pole to the side and walk around the pier. We did not catch much. One time, Daniel caught a flounder, but we could not keep it due to its size. But I went there frequently with my boys because it brought my old memory that it was my father who taught me and my younger brother to fish. In times of uncertainty, fear, and confusion, going fishing brought me back my memory of intimacy and comfort with my youth. 

In our reading this morning, we hear that Peter and other disciples went on fishing by the Sea of Tiberias. I am not sure why Peter suddenly decided to go fishing. In the previous chapter, Jesus had already appeared to Mary Magdalene at the tomb and disciples who locked the door behind them. So, if Peter already knows that Jesus has been raised from death, why does he choose to go on fishing? Biblical scholars have different opinions. Some say that Peter and the disciples lost their purpose, becoming aimless. Some say that their going away for fishing would fulfill what Jesus predicted in 16:32 that the disciples would scatter and abandon Jesus. 

But I believe that the Gospel of John intentionally brings Peter and others back to where it all began. At the Sea of Galilee, Peter, Andrew, James, and John first encountered Jesus and were called to follow him because he was going to make them fisher of people. Just like I went to the ocean with my boys not just to teach them how to fish but also experience the comfort and familiarity, it is possible Peter wanted to go back to trace his memory of how it all started in the beginning. Maybe he wanted to see how the outcome of following Jesus could have been different at the end. I am sure some of you have done that. Driving by the first house where you were born and spent your youth. Visiting your high school when you did your first touchdown, or you were in a play. 

Almost 10 years ago, Sungha and I traveled to Korea with Daniel who was only 1 year old at that time. My parents drove us to meet with my grandmother who was staying at my uncle’s house. On our way home, my father took another route and brought me to a church in the countryside. He said, “Son, this was my first church as pastor. This was where you were born. This is such a meaningful place for us. This is where it all began.” I knew that my father had many challenges at this church as he used to tell me. Financial challenges, mistakes he made as a young pastor, and conflict with the church leadership. When he was in troubles, that was where he learned how to pour his heart before God and prayed. That was where he learned the meaning of life and learned to be a pastor. Even after he left for other churches, he often drove by this church to remind himself of how it all began. 

Peter and others spent all night long fishing. I am not sure if they were really hoping to catch some fish. Or they just want to do something to process what just happened in this past week. Maybe they were exhausted, physically, mentally, and emotionally. It is hard enough to see someone you deeply love die from illness. But Peter watched his beloved teacher, friend, and Messiah arrested, tortured and died slowly on the cross. But in the that morning, Jesus, disguising himself as a stranger, came and told his disciple to cast the net to the right side of the boat. And they caught so many fish to the point the net was going to break. And Jesus was cooking breakfast for them. He started a charcoal fire with fish on it. He also had some bread. Jesus tells them, “Come and have breakfast with me.” 

When I just started seminary in 2004, I met my first roommate, Dan. He was from Pittsburg, PA. When I first introduced myself to him, he said, “Bob, I need to warn you. I snore.” He was right. I could not sleep for a whole week because he almost blasted the roof with his snore. Miraculously, after one week, I was able to adjust myself and still sleep through the night. He and I became such good friends. He came from a humble family with both of his parents as middle school teachers. He was always laid back and had an attitude of not worrying about anything. In my first semester, all my grades were B and Dan looked at them and said, “Bob, B is a wonderful grade. You should be proud of yourself.” So, for the whole year, I got a straight B from my classes, being proud of myself. 

Although my life as an international student was challenging with money, language, and uncertain future, Dan helped me find joy in our friendship and enjoy many adventures with him. Sometime later, he invited me to come over to his house in Pittsburg during the winter break. So, I took the Amtrak and went to his house. I met his father, mother, and younger brother who was still in the high school. We all laughed, talked, and watched a movie in the living room until late night. Suddenly, Dan’s father and brother fell asleep on the couch. Guess what? Both his father and brother snored so loudly making the same sound as Dan! I looked at Dan and said, “Yes, you guys are definitely a family.” Dan smiled and showed me to his room so I could sleep alone. 

The next morning, Gary, his father, woke up early and cooked breakfast for us all. He cooked some blueberry pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausages, and hash browns. As we all sat together, I felt so warmly welcomed by them enjoying the intimate feeling as family. Although I was a stranger far away from home, I felt embraced by all these people as part of their family. And that is also what I love about getting together with our Men’s group for breakfast. We cook. We laugh. We share stories. We eat the healthiest food for men. Sausages and bacon. No guilt whatsoever. We enjoy the intimate feeling with openness. We might come from different backgrounds. We might have different struggles and hardships. But when we sit together for breakfast, we witness the presence of Christ who nourishes our body and soul, as we see the face of Christ in each other. 

And here, as Jesus shares the breakfast with his disciples, he turns to Peter and asks him, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” Peter answers, “Yes Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus answers, “Feed my lambs.” He asks him a second time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answers again, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus again says, “Tend my sheep.” And the third time, Jesus turns to Peter and says, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” This time, Peter felt hurt. Maybe he felt hurt because he thought that he kept failing to convince Jesus that he loved him. However, as Peter denied Jesus three times, Jesus restores and redeems him by asking the same question three times. 

Peter is forgiven. He is restored. He is healed. Not only that, he is also commissioned to feed the sheep, anyone who is hungry for God, anyone who wants to hear the good news of God’s love for the world. Jesus bore all his shame, disappointment, and failure. And he transformed him to be the bearer of the good news of Christ. Peter thought that he would find comfort in going back to the place where it all began for him. The night might have been the indication of his disappointment, tear, and uncertainty. But in that morning, the sun arose with Christ coming to find his disciples. Therefore, Tom Troeger comments, “If we have carried away from the Gospel the idea that the final thing to remember about Peter is his unfaithfulness, the epilogue reminds us that far more important than Peter’s denials [or failure] is the grace of Christ.” 

And here is what Jesus does for us today. He shows up when we least expected him. He comes into our hearts, bringing us to the table where he sets the food for us this morning. He wants us to sit with him and one another. He wants us to enjoy his hospitality for us and also the intimate moment with one another. Maybe some of us come to this table with a broken heart. Some of us come with shame and guilt. Some of us are disappointed with ourselves. But at this table, everyone is called children of God welcomed by the grace and love of God. We do not need to pretend to be someone we are not. Regardless of who we are, Christ calls us the beloved. He calls us by our name and calls us his sheep. 

Amen.