Although Jesus is alive again, this chapter sort of works like a eulogy, since these are the last words of the gospel. If you look ahead to the very last verses, the gospel says something amazing: "This is the disciple who is testifying to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true. But there are also many other things that Jesus did; if every one of them were written down, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written."
A eulogy is a regular part of a memorial or funeral service for someone who has passed away, but it doesn't have to be. A eulogy is defined as a "commendatory oration or piece of writing" or "high praise." You can give someone a eulogy at any time!
Like any good eulogy, this passage of Scripture honors the past. It recalls where Jesus has been with the people he has loved and lived life with.
--The meal he shares with the disciples recalls the memory of John 6: 1-14, when Jesus blessed 2 fish and 5 loaves of bread and fed a very large crowd. Christ continues to bless and feed us.
--Hearing that the disciples cast their nets on the right side of the boat as the risen Christ instructs them, we may remember that the disciples never catch any fish in any of the gospels without Christ's help. Christ continues to guide us.
--None of the disciples recognize Christ, initially. This recalls Mary's encounter with the risen Christ at the tomb, where she mistook him as the gardener. Sometimes we are slow to recognize Christ's presence with us, but when we do, our lives, our stories, are completely changed.
--Jesus invites the disciples to breakfast and feeds them. This recalls the scene of being at the table with him when he washes their feet and gives them a new commandment to love. The risen Christ continues to share in the table fellowship of the Church, and continues to provide, strengthen, and nurture us as we work for and follow Christ.
--Christ asks Peter 3 times if Peter loves him. This recalls Christ's prediction that Peter would deny him 3 times and the sad scenes in which the prediction is fulfilled. This piece of Scripture rewrites Peter's story: the final words about him in this gospel is not how he denied Christ, but of how he loved Christ. Far more important than Peter's denials is the grace of Christ, who is willing to engage and trust the ministry to his followers.
--This epilogue also recalls the beginning of the gospel (1:5): "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it." Memories of darkness (our hunger, our failure to recognize Christ, of failure to succeed without Christ...) are awakened by this epilogue, but it also reminds that none of this darkness can overcome the light of Christ. The risen Christ still calls, feeds, and empowers us.
Prayer*:
Almighty God,
you give us the joy of celebrating our Lord's resurrection.
Give us also the joys of life in your service,
and bring us at last to the full joy of life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
*United Methodist Hymnal, 321
In Christ,
Jack
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