"Making A Difference" - John 21:1-19

A recent popular television program is called Joan of Arcadia. It’s about a young woman who is constantly challenged by God to do things she wouldn’t ordinarily do. Reluctantly she proceeds and in the process someone is always helped. The show is unique since God appears to her through a variety of personalities. Each time she receives a different message and she has to determine whether or not the messenger is really God.

When presented with a challenge, who do we listen to? Does God speak to us in a variety of ways? How can we be sure that the voice we hear is truly God?

When the disciples were fishing, Jesus was on the shore but they didn’t recognize him. He realizes their frustration and tells them to "fish on the right side of the boat." They respond and in the process they catch 153 fish. Now that they have caught fish, John recognizes that it was Jesus standing on the shore giving them instructions.

The disciples have a successful fishing expedition, all because they listened to a voice from the shore. According to the story they were about 100 yards out. Unless you have binoculars it is almost impossible to recognize someone at that distance. Yet, they heard what Jesus said and responded.

If they didn’t know that it was Jesus on the beach, why did they listen to a voice from the shore? Would you change what you are doing if a stranger told you to? I doubt it. Perhaps the disciples were having such bad luck that any new idea was a welcome message. Perhaps they needed an objective voice that would be a neutral one for the whole group. Or, perhaps this story is about trusting God, even when the messenger is unfamiliar.

After the disciples catch fish they recognize Jesus. "It is the Lord," John said to Peter. Just like us, the disciples acknowledge God when things are going right. We have a habit of equating success with faith. It’s much easier to believe when we can make the connection between the voice of God and personal benefits. But, when we are told to do things that challenge us and we can’t see the results, it is much more difficult.

Currently we are engaged in the conflict in Iraq. Some of our soldiers are deciding not to re-enlist. It reminds me of the time I had the opportunity to extend my active duty. I was in the Navy and the date for my discharge came do. The economy wasn’t good at the time and I didn’t have a job waiting for me. My best friend decided to stay in a few more months and hoped I would do the same. But, I was determined to get out of the military. In retrospect I made a mistake. I could have stayed in Florida another six months and took that time to look for civilian employment. Instead I struggled for a year and had no health insurance. God was speaking through my friend but I didn’t listen.

Following the fishing episode, Jesus tells Peter that if he truly loves him he will "feed his sheep." He repeats the statement two additional times. Apparently Jesus wants Peter to be fully committed and be clear about what he is asking. But, why three times? On one hand, it could be a direct response to the fact that Peter denied Jesus three times. But I believe Jesus was challenging Peter to go into unfamiliar waters. He may have to get wet or go against the current. Ironically, when Peter realized that it was Jesus on the beach, he jumped into the water and swam ashore. He got wet, not because he was ready to follow but because he was embarrassed.

The challenge to "feed sheep" was a challenge to Peter to go where he had never been before. How difficult it is to venture into other places when we are so used to familiar surroundings and familiar people. Here were the disciples, busy fishing, doing what they knew. The only way that Jesus was going to build the Church was to have his disciples fish in unfamiliar waters. What takes us there is faith.

Perhaps we can’t really know Jesus until we are willing to break away from our comfort zones and live in new territory. Many churches in our area have added "contemporary" worship services to their Sunday morning schedules. So far, we have been reluctant to go there. I have to admit that even I am reluctant to try a non-traditional worship service. At least for the moment, I can’t honestly say that there are voices who are telling me that this is a direction we should go.

But why the challenge to Peter to "feed sheep?" Remember, Peter was the "rock of the church," her primary mover and appointed disciple to continue the mission and ministry of Jesus. In our story, Jesus tells Peter a life lesson. A young man is free and capable of going anywhere he chooses. But, when he is an old man he will be dependent on others for help. Jesus was painting a picture of the Church as a perpetuating community of folks who reach out to others because some day they will need others to reach out to them.

All my life I have been asking my parents for advice and there were times when I needed their help. When I visited them (in Florida) this winter things changed. For the first time they wanted my opinion. They are in their 80’s and they are thinking about living in a retirement community. For the first time in my life I am helping the very people who have always helped me. I am sure they will do what is best for them. But to know that they wanted my opinion was a real blessing.

"Do you love me, Peter?" Jesus said. "Then, feed my sheep." Realize that God can speak to you in a variety of ways. Be willing to go beyond the familiar and venture into uncharted waters. Reach out to those who have need, even when it makes no sense. Do this and you will make a difference.

Dr. Keith Wagner, St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Sidney, Ohio