A Lenten Series on the number 40
Jesus’ 40 days
after the resurrection
(Click on the
link below to read the verses.)
John 21
[Historically, Lent is a 40‑day period of
preparation leading up to Easter. It involves reflection and repentance with
the ultimate goal of transformation. The number 40 is significant in the Bible
as it is associated with multiple stories of preparation and testing. In this
Lenten series, we will be looking at various Biblical stories that include the
number 40, and how it applies to us.]
Although I’ve never been a fan of the New York
Yankees, you couldn’t ignore them when I was growing up in the 50’s and 60’s. They
had so many great players like Mickey Mantle, Whitey Ford, Roger Maris and
Bobby Richardson. One of the most famous was Yogi Berra.
We’ve all experienced that feeling where it seems
like we’ve done something before but can’t quite put our finger on it. I imagine
that Peter may have felt that way on the Sea of Galilee following the
resurrection of Jesus.
Three years before that, when Jesus called his first
disciples to follow him, he asked Peter to take him out on a boat to speak to
the large crowd. When he was done, he asked Peter to go out further and throw
out his nets. Despite the fact that Peter, a seasoned fisherman, had fished all
night without catching anything… he still did it.
He was probably glad that he did because he caught so
many fish that his partners had to bring out another boat to haul the fish to
shore. When Peter saw this, he said to Jesus, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a
sinful man!”
10b Jesus replied to
Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!" 11 And
as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus. NLT Luke 5
Fast forward to the 40 days following Jesus’
resurrection. Seven of his disciples had returned to the Sea of Galilee. While
there, Peter decided to go fishing and as usual, the others followed. Even
though they fished all night, they didn’t catch anything.
At dawn Jesus was standing on the shore and called
out asking if they had any fish. After they answered no, he told them to throw
their nets on the right side of the boat. When they did, there were so many
fish that they couldn’t haul them in.
Sound familiar? Peter would have been reminded of
his first fishing miracle with Jesus. But there was more to his Déjà vu
experience.
John recognized Jesus and told Peter who it was. Without
thinking, Peter jumped into the water and went to shore. Jesus had prepared a
breakfast of bread and fish for them. When they were done, he asked Peter a pointed
question. “Peter, do you love me”. In fact, he asked the same question three
times.
17 A third time he
asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus
asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know
that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep. NLT
Is it possible that Peter may have been reeling from
the guilt and shame of rejecting Jesus the night he was arrested? He hadn’t reconciled
with his rabbi and constant friend. So, when Jesus asked him three times if he
loved him, it easily could have brought those memories and feelings crashing
back. Déjà vu all over again.
This Easter, the risen Christ has the same question
for you and me as he had for Peter – “Do you love me”. If our answer is yes, he
has already told us what to do.
19b Then Jesus told Peter, “Follow
me.” NLT
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