Dr. Glen A. Thorp June 15, 2025

Romans 8:15-17, Isaiah 6:1-8 (Trinity Sunday)
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TRINITARIANS:
(“Worshiping One God, not Three”)

INTRODUCTION: Christians are often accused of being tri-theists
by Muslims and Jews. We are not. We are Trinitarians.
Today, Trinity Sunday in the Christian calendar, I am going to try explaining the concept and implications of believing in a Triune God.

“The doctrine of the Trinity is one of the deepest and most sacred in the Christian system. * Yet it is one of the most confusing of Christian doctrines.

The term “Trinity” came from man (Tertullian, 220 AD) and
not expressed in a creed until the Council of Nicea (325 AD)
from which came the first Christian Creed: “Nicean Creed.”

The Triune Nature of God is NOT a human invention.
Nor is the term “Trinity” simply a metaphysical attempt of describing God.

Both the unity and tri-unity of God are revealed in Scripture.
“Reason shows unity of God; only Revelation shows Trinity of God.”+
Although the term “Trinity” is not found in Scripture,
the concept definitely is Biblical.

The term “trinity” designates Facts that help us better understand the Implications of what God has revealed about God’s self to us.

The First Fact is: There is but One God.

We do not believe in three Gods. Along with Muslims and Jews we affirm the powerful phrase in Deuteronomy 6:4
"The Lord our God is One Lord."
“In the midst of the most seductive forms of polytheism, it was necessary that the Israelites be thoroughly instructed in divine unity.”*
St. Patrick of Ireland used a Shamrock, 3 leaf clover in explaining the Trinity. Three leaves yet one clover. By the way that is why all those celebrating St. Patrick’s Day wearing green and Shamrocks.
I wonder how many realize they are affirming their belief in the Trinity.

The first and foundational in the Ten Commandments was
You shall have no other gods before me. (Exodus 20:3)
I could list many other Scripture stating there is but One God.

The Second Fact is: God is Revealed in Three Ways.

From the first verse of the Bible:
"In the beginning God ... Elohim-the Hebrew word for God is plural
created the heavens and the earth." Genesis 1:26 states:
"God ... Elohim, said:
'Let us make man in our own image, after our likeness." In Genesis 3:22:
The Lord said, this man has become like one of us. Isaiah 6:8:
"The Lord said: Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?"

Even the sacred phrase for Jews, Muslims and Christians:
"The Lord, Elohim (Our Gods) is One Lord."

When Jews and Muslims are asked to explain these verses, their response is: “this is a council in Heaven of which God is the Moderator.”
Jews acknowledge God’s Spirit came upon prophets and priests but will not say the Spirit is God. Numbers 11:24-24 tells of God’s Spirit being given to seventy elders who had be chosen to assist Moses.
"The Lord took of the Spirit that was on him (Moses)
and put the Spirit on the seventy elders." (11:25)

Though there is but One God, God is revealed in the Three Ways.
The Greek word hypostasis means “substance” and became the technical term explaining that God is One revealed in Three Ways.

A. The Father is recognized as God.

For the Jews and Muslims this is no problem.
Many Scriptures affirm the Father as God. Two:
John 6:27 "Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.
On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval."

I Peter 1:2 "Peter as apostle of Jesus Christ ... chosen and destined by God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit for the obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood."

The Lord’s Prayer begins: "Our Father in Heaven ..."

For us to address God as Father is a privilege given by Jesus.

B. The Son, Jesus Christ, is recognized as God.

This is what separates Christians from Jews, Muslims and every other religion. Each acknowledges Jesus was a great prophet who lived a exemplary life. But saying that Jesus born in Bethlehem, raised in Nazareth and crucified in Jerusalem was God is blasphemy. This is the accusation that ultimately lead to Jesus’ death. Again, there are many
Scriptures declaring Jesus was God. Two:

John 1:1 "In the beginning was the Word, (Greek is Logos) and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."

John 1:14 "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."

This chapter and the Gospel affirm that the Word was Jesus.

John 20:28 One of Jesus’ resurrection appearances was to the
Apostle Thomas, who did not believe Jesus was alive. Jesus said:
"Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Stop doubting and believe." Notice Thomas’s response:
"My Lord and My God!"

While Jesus was on earth he prayed to the Father:
"I do what the Father tells me to do."
How can God be in two places at once?
We say God is omnipresent, God can be in all places at once.
(Try Comprehending one God being both on earth in a physical human form and yet be transcendent, not bound by earth’s restrictions.)

There are many who say Jesus was a Son of God, just like you and I are Children of God. That is Not What Scripture says. It was against that heresy the Council of Nicea met and drafted what we call the Necean Creed.
(Read the Creed at the end of this blog**) Notice that Jesus is
described as Substance that is the Greek word: hypostasis.

In Jesus, God revealed God’s self to us.
In Jesus, we who were separated from God by sin were
brought to God through our faith in Jesus, his dying on
a cross and resurrection from the dead. From John and
other Scriptures we read Jesus was present at creation.
We believe that God revealed as the Son is Elohim.

C. The Holy Spirit is recognized as God,

Jesus says to his disciples: (John 14:16)
"I will never leave you or forsake you.
I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor."

Last Sunday I wrote about Pentecost, the time when the promised Counselor,
the Holy Spirit, came and permanently dwelt among Jesus’ followers.
It was the Holy Spirit’s presence who enabled the disciples to boldly speak about Jesus.                Two Scriptures: First Peter’s response to Ananias & Sapheria.

Read Acts 5:1-12 to understand who they were and why Peter said the following:

"How is that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself of the money you received for the land. Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing?
You have not lied to men but to God." (Acts 5:3-4)

Notice how the Holy Spirit is God.

I Corinthians 3:16:
"Don’t you know that you yourselves
are God’s temple, and that God’s Spirit lives in you?"

Throughout the New and Old Testaments, the Spirit of God,
the Holy Spirit, the Counselor, the Guide and other
names are given to that manifestation of God, is God.

That is why we Christians believe that though God is One,
God is also Triune. Bringing together these two diametrically opposed opinions was the struggle of the early Christian Community, which developed the term, Trinity.

Reading the Scriptures: The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are interchangeable. Each has a particular function. Each in interconnected with the other. Father is primarily revealed as Creator,
Son is primarily revealed as Redeemer and
Holy Spirit is primarily revealed as Enabler.

An illustration: The Formula H2O = Water. Combining 2 molecules (hypostasis) of Hydrogen and             1 molecule of Oxygen results in water.
It is liquid and can be swallowed. Same liquid cooled to at least 32*F results in a solid object.         Still H2O - different form.
Heat that solid and it becomes liquid and then steam vapor.
That same H2O can be taken to different locations and used in the three forms all at once.

Any analogy trying to illustrate the Trinity is difficult and falls short of explaining the different ways God has revealed God’s self to humanity.

Some of you are asking: “What difference does it make whether we believe in a triune God?” or         “I don’t understand the Trinity, but I am willing to accept that God is revealed in Three Ways in Scripture.”

There are Three Implications for us.

1. Understanding that we may be accused of worshiping more than one God.

We do Not Worship Three Gods, Only One.
Some say God is ultimate. Jesus is subservient and
the Holy Spirit is at the bottom of the authority grid.

That is Not what Scripture says.
The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are all equal. They are God.

2. God did not create us because it was necessary for God to have relationships.                           God already had relationships, Elohim.
Elohim wants a relationship with humanity,
but not because God was lonely. God created humanity out of love.

3. God is not restricted to a transcendent state, that is God is not just in Heaven,                            God the Holy Spirit dwells with us in this 21st century.
God’s presence is God’s Spirit.
We serve God enabled and empowered by The Holy Spirit.
The Spirit of God joins with our spirit testifying that we are God’s children,                                       and if God’s children, then heirs.

"The Spirit testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.
We are God’s heirs and Christ’s fellow-heirs." (Rom. 8:16-17)

CONCLUSION: Trinity is Not a human invention.
It is an aspect of God revealed in Scripture.
As Trinitarians we “believe in a God who is revealed in three different ways.” Each of the Elohim has a particular relationship to us, as God’s children. Each brings a depth of relationship that would not be present if we had only one aspect of God revealed to us.

God may be called Father, Son or Holy Spirit.
Each possess all the substance and all the attributes of the deity.
God is not: Three and One, but Three in One.

The Trinity is not a partnership in which each member can sign for the name of the firm; this is unity of council and operation only (Synchronicity) not essence. God’s nature is not an abstract but an organic unity.

Footnotes: * H. Orton Wiley, Christian Theology, Vol. 1
(Beacon Hill Press: Kansas City, 1969. 393, 395)

+ Augustus H. Strong, Systematic Theology.
(The Judson Press: Valley Forge, 1907, 1967. 304)

The Nicene Creed:

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light,
very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made. Who, for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.

And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of Life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets.

And I believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

GOD EMPOWERING SPIRIT

                                     

                                    "GOD'S EMPOWERING SPIRIT"

                                                       PETECOST

To: Jesus Christ From: Kingdom Analysis HR.                       Subject: Twelve Management Trainee Evaluations.

Thank you for placing your confidence in Kingdom Analysis HR and submitting the resumes of the 12 men you have picked for management trainee positions in your new organization. Your keen insights have been helpful in our evaluation, but we have gone a few steps further. All 12 have taken our scientifically developed aptitude tests and met one on one with our psychologist and other consultants. Although you have complete confidence in the 12         it is the Kingdom Analysis HR staff opinion that most of your management trainee nominees lack the proper background, education and aptitude for what you are doing. Fundamentally they have no team experience or overall concept what a team does.

More specifically: Simon Peter has fits of anger and could be said to be emotionally unstable. Andrew has failed to exhibit any documented qualities of leadership. Sons of Thunder - James and John only show a drive for personal gain --- company loyalty is not in their vocabulary. Thomas questions everything and it has been determined that this attitude would eventually undermine team morale and cause division. Matthew did not qualify to interact with the Scribes and Pharisees in Jerusalem. James, the son of Alphaeus and Simon-the Zealot definitely could be described as clinically depressed, and indications are they stirrup everyone they meet. We highly and collectively recommend you continue searching for management trainees.

Our suggestion is to look for people with experience, managerial ability and proven leadership. There is a however a slight ray of hope - one of the candidates shows marked potential. He tested well in creative ability. Our staff has concluded he meets people well and exhibits a keen business mind. He is either a nifty name dropper or sincerely has contacts in high places. He ranked highest in motivation, ambition and innovation.  Our staff overwhelming agrees to recommend Judas Iscariot for the position of Chief Operating Officer and potential Chief Executive Officer of the future. The remaining profiles were all clearly suspect as to ability, loyalty or adaptability so we need not pursue their qualifications. We believe this will save you a great deal of money by not continuing our evaluations of this group.

We wish you every success in your new venture.

Kingdom Analysis HR *

God's Empowering Spirit demonstrates that

  God does not call the Equipped ...

  God Equips those God Calls ...

That is what happened 50 Days after Jesus’ Apostles abandoned him, and Peter denied knowing Jesus.  Peter had been an unstable leader during Jesus’s early ministry.  Bravado was his downfall.

As we learned a past blog: "Called Twice,"), Jesus forgave and restored the humbled Peter.  Now he is boldly speaking to thousands from all over the Mediterranean area. (Read Acts 2:1-21)

 How did that happen?  According to Acts 2 when the Holy Spirit came upon these fishermen, tax collector and zealots they were empowered.

God’s empowering Spirit not only enabled and equipped the Disciples to witness of Jesus, God’s empowering Spirit enables and equips us to do the same.  We are not expected to do God’s work in our own strength or resources.

                                   

 Three Soul-Shaking Aspects which are also with us.

Experiencing God’s Divine Presence.

(Re-read: Acts 2:2-4)

This is what Jesus said to Nicodemus (John 3:8)

Jesus: Holy Spirit is like the wind...

Fire: In the Old Testament = God’s Presence.

John the Baptist: After me will come one who will Baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with Fire. (Matthew 3:11)

Presbyterian Symbol: Flames/

               

God’s presence was known in a spectacular way:

The Holy Spirt came as violent wind and tongues of fire. 

Jesus: Where two or three are gathered in my name, their I AM.

When we gather in Jesus’ name, we are promised of His presence.

We accept God’s Divine Presence by Faith.

 There are times when God’s presence seems more real than others: Retreats, intense prayer or gathering of large numbers of Christians in conferences or crusades.

Often, we “try recapturing that “presence.” It rarely works. 

God’s Presence was revealed in different ways:

After the Prophet Elijah defeated the Prophets of Baal, on Mount Carmel, (I Kg18:18-39) he was threatened by Queen Jezebel. Elijah ran for his life to the desert.  Often after a great spiritual experience, we have a letdown or feel attacked. That was the case with Elijah.  After a period or sleep and nourishment, "The Word of the Lord" came to Elijah asking" "What are you doing here?" (Read I Kings 19:9-13) (Notice God was Not in the earthquake, wind or fire, but in still small voice...gentle whisper.

 Pentecost reminds us that the way we Experience God’s Divine Presence is through the Holy Spirit.  Like wind, we cannot grab a hold of it.  We will experience God’s Empowering Spirit just as did those early disciples.  

The second Soul-Shaking experience was:

Experiencing God’s Divine Power 

As soon as God’s Spirit came upon the disciples, they immediately began speaking of what following Jesus meant in their lives. They began speaking in other languages, as the Spirit enabled them.

These disciples, who 50 days earlier, were hiding behind locked doors, were impelled onto the streets and likely into the Temple, loudly speaking about Jesus.

What a ruckus.  Each disciple speaking in a different language all at the same time.  They drew a crowd of curious pilgrims who had come to Jerusalem for Pentecost.    (Acts 2:8,11-13).

Are not all these men... speaking, Galileans? How is that we hear them speaking our language? Amazed and perplexed, they asked what does this mean? Some of these men are drunk.                                                                           

When the Holy Spirit empowered the disciples, barriers of language and culture were demolished through God’s unifying Spirit. 

What seemed like chaos was God’s restoring order and communication lost at the Tower of Babel, built to reach God on their own terms.  (Genesis 11:7)

Result: God confused their languages ... spread to different parts of the world.   Pentecost began reversing that process.  God made it possible for people to hear in their own language what Jesus had done for them.  The Miracle was not so much that the disciples spoke in other languages but that the Holy Spirit opened their ears ... to hear the good news.

Throughout Acts the Holy Spirit lead Jewish Christians through cultural barriers.  Samaritans (8:14-17), Gentiles (10:44-48) -Transforming Saul into Paul. (Ac 19:1-19)

Since the disciples were all speaking at one time, Peter stood and began clarifying what was happening. (Reread Ac. 2:14-18)

This uneducated fisherman gave an eloquent explanation: What is occurring is a fulfillment of the Prophet Joel.  Peter elaborated on how Jesus of Nazareth, whom the authorities had crucified, 50 days ago, God had raised from the dead.  Peter eloquently showed how Jesus fulfilled all the prophecies of the promised Messiah. 

Following the rather short message 3,000 people made the decision to accept what Peter said was truth and place their lives under the guidance of Jesus Christ.

                     Change your life.  Turn to God and be baptized, each one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, so your sins are forgiven. Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38)

When God’s Divine Power (1:8) gripped the disciples, they couldn't help but proclaim what they had learned from Jesus and were empowered to tell others.

We too, gripped by the Holy Spirit, become God’s messengers of the Good News.  When we allow God’s Spirit to use us, we discover God’s Divine Power replacing fear with courage and free flowing words empowering us to speak of what Jesus means in our lives, restoring order, communication and hope.

Experiencing God’s Divine Guidance.

Jesus had told his disciples to wait in Jerusalem until God’s Power came upon them. Then they would be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea and the uttermost parts of the earth. That is what began occurring on Pentecost.  Clearly, they were witnesses in Jerusalem.

Jesus had said: When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. (John 16:13)

As those early Christians, who gathered to commemorate Jesus’ last meal with his disciples and witnesses, recalled His teachings, and in prayer sought his guidance, we too read the Gospel accounts of Jesus' life and teaching as we celebrate the Lord's Supper.  It is also a time for us for telling our stories of God's presence and power in our lives. 

It was the Spirit of Truth guiding the Christians in caring for one another. Their love for each other demonstrated God’s love to others.  Acts records how the God’s Spirit led the disciples, individually and corporately in fulfilling what Jesus had told them to do. There are 40 references to the Holy Spirit in first 13 chapters of Acts.

Acts and the Epistles, record how the disciples did not make any decisions or move before (1:24) consulting God in prayer.  Deacon Philip was walking on a road, when the Holy Spirit guided him to an Ethiopian on his way home from Jerusalem.  The Ethiopian was reading a Torah (Jewish Scriptures) which he apparently had purchased hoping to learn about God.  Philip asked: Do you understand what you are reading?  How can I, unless someone explains it? responded the Ethiopian. (Acts 8:31)

Guided by the Holy Spirit, Philip explained the Scripture.  The result was the Ethiopian invited Jesus into his life and was baptized.  The disciples, guided by the Holy Spirit gave guidance in the qualifications of the office of Service/Deacons. (Acts 6:1-7)

The Apostle Paul "was eager to get to Jerusalem for Pentecost, if possible" (Acts 20:18).  Paul sent for the elders in Ephesus to meet him at the ship port (Acts 20:17). speaking to them/"Shepherds" Paul reminded them that The Holy Spirit made them overseers of the church.  (Acts 20:28)

That same Spirit guided Peter and John, giving them courage and what to say when brought before the Sanhedrin (Jewish Governing Body) for speaking about Jesus. (This was after they had healed a crippled beggar, In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk. (Acts 3:6) "Filled with the Holy Spirit, "their response was eloquent."  How did these uneducated Galileans speak so boldly?  The Leaders realized, these two had been with Jesus, for they had done what Jesus did and spoke as he did. (Acts 4:8, 13)      

Living in the 21^st century, we have the same promise of God’s divine guidance.  When we seek God’s wisdom, we will receive it.  It may come through corporate decisions.  We pray, seeking God’s guidance, following God’s guidelines recorded in Scripture when electing Church leaders and choosing which way to go in ministry.

That same Spirit enables us to act with boldness.  That same Spirit will guide us into the future.  The same Spirit leads us to those ready to hear and respond to the Good News of Jesus Christ. 

Pentecost marks the commencement of the ekklesia (Greek word for Church) made up of individuals of various nationalities.  Their belief in God and God’s presence through the Holy Spirit led to a unity of communication.  Today the Church is comprised of people from all parts of the earth.  Something special occurs when Christians gather around the Lord’s Table.  We are all partaking in a sacrament commemorating an act of love and celebrating the presence of God’s Spirit in a manner common to all.  We may not understand the language but fully comprehend what we are doing.  This is evidence of God’s Spirit in our lives.

Pentecost dramatically reminds us that God does not act haphazardly.  God chose Pentecost as the day for the Holy Spirit to come upon God’s people for it was the day God gave the Law to Moses on Mt. Sinai.  The Prophet Jeremiah said:(31:31-34)

In Pentecost God fulfilled God’s Promise of engraving God’s law upon people’s hearts, rather than just upon stones.

Pentecost was when people from all parts of the world were in Jerusalem and witnessed the events that occurred that day.  Whether or not they believed what they had heard and seen, I am sure the pilgrims returned to Mesopotamia, Egypt, Libya, Cyrene and Rome telling of that amazing day.  They had heard a message in their own language by people that normally don't speak their language.  God demonstrated in a bold and dramatic way that the curse, which began at the tower of Babel, had been removed.  God was no longer going to confuse the language of people, rather offer a way for them to understand one another and respond to God’s love.                                                

Pentecost is the fulfillment of the prophet Joel.  Up to this point God’s Spirit had come upon National Leaders: Kings, Priests and Prophets.  God spoke to the people through a handful of individuals. 

God taught through trained, and Spirit filled leaders.  Joel said the day was coming when the Spirit of God would come upon all people responding to God, whether male, female or slaves, God would come upon ordinary individuals.  That prophecy was fulfilled on Pentecost in 33 A.D.

The Promise of that Prophecy is real for us.  We believe that God’s Spirit is given to each person, who by faith, accepts Jesus.  We believe that each one of us has the potential of tapping into that very Source of God.  Each of us has been given a gift of God’s Spirit motivating us to service.  When we reach out in God’s love to other people, using that Spiritual Gift, God’s Power is manifested to all.

Nothing will stop God’s plan from being fulfilled. May this Pentecost revitalize your own faith and corporate life.  As you experience God’s presence today, may you allow God’s spirit to grip and use you in proclaiming God’s message in your community, with your family and friends.  holding on to the assurance of God’s divine presence and guidance in your individual lives. 

(RED is the color of Pentecost.  Why not wear Red.  If asked why you are wearing Red, you can tell them about Pentecost.) 

*HR is a fictitious document to set the tone for this blog and illustrate how God acts differently than corporate America.

This will be my last Blog on Post Jesus' Resurrection events.  I may blog later on other topics.  

On The Vine: Power and Authority

On The Vine: Power and Authority:                                                                                                                         "POWER AND AUT...

 

                                                "Called Twice"                                                                                                          (Reinstated)

The story did not make headline news.  It was something that occurred between two people.  Noone else knew.  One failed Jesus and felt totally inadequate in serving him, let alone being a leader.  I am referring, of course to the Apostle Peter.

Jesus had told Peter that before the crack of dawn, he would deny knowing Jesus three times.  (John 13:38).  Jesus had told his disciples to serve one another and love each other as he had loved them.  "It is by your love for one another that others will know you are my disciples."  That sounded so easy!

The events that Thursday night occurred just as Jesus had predicted.  Jesus was betrayed by one of his disciples, Judas.  Jesus was arrested by Temple Guards and taken to the home of the High Priest.  John and Peter followed behind.  John went inside, while Peter waited in the courtyard by a charcoal fire.  A maid said to Peter:  "You were with him." "I was not!" said Peter, trying to sneak away, when someone said:  "Were you not with the Galilean?" "I did not know the man!," responded Peter.  Trapped, Peter moved back towards the fire, when someone said:  "You were with the Galilean!"  Peter responded:  "I swear I don't know the man!"  At that moment the rooster crowed.  Peter's heart broke.  He was crushed. He remembered what Jesus had said just a few hours earlier, "You will deny me three times before the rooster crows."  We don't know what Peter did or whether he ever told the other disciples what he had done.  He did weep bitterly. (Luke 22:62)

The story of Jesus' resurrection does not end with Easter.  Jesus appeared to some of his followers and disciples.  Mary Magdalane and other Women, went to the tomb on the First Day of the Week, and were surprised by finding an empty tomb and an Angel saying:  "Jesus is not dead.  He is Risen, just as he said!"  Jesus appeared to the women and said:  "Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, there they will see me."  (Matthew 28:1-10) 

Two followers of Jesus were returning to their home in Emmaus, despondent, when Jesus started walking with them asking:  "what were you discussing?" (Read Luke 24:13-35).  For more of Jesus' Resurrection appearances to multiple people in different locations read            (I Corinthians 15:1-11).  

Jesus met with the disciples, behind locked doors, twice, including Thomas (John 20:24-29)  This is why we Christians use the 40 days after Easter, Eastertide, to reflect on Jesus' various appearances.  

The disciples went to Galilee, as they had been instructed, It was the same location where Jesus first Called them.  Andrew, who had been a disciple of John the Baptist and witnessed Jesus' baptism (John 1:35-42) said to his brother, Simon:  "We have found the Messiah!  Come and see! Jesus said:  You are Simon.  You shall be called Peter.  I will make you Fishers of Men. 

Peter felt unworthy of Serving Jesus, after he denied knowing Jesus, and said to the disciples he was going fishing.  (The infinitive verb means a continuous activity, not just once.) He was saying: "I am going back to a career of fishing."  He felt guilty, a failure and unworthy of following Jesus. 

The first part of John 21 sets the stage for Jesus' conversation with Peter.  Instead of Judgement and retribution, Jesus meets Peter at his point of despair and vulnerability with "Forgiving Love."

Love's Healing Power intersects with Peter and the other disciples when they discover their skills as fishermen had become rusty.  Peter may have thought:  "even the fish have turned against me."

                                                        

Jesus met them, early in the morning as they returned from a night of fishing, without catching anything.

Jesus guides the disciple to the fish.  He asks:  "Caught anything?"  Disciples respond:  "No!"  Jesus guides them to where there are fish.  "Cast your net on the right side of the boat."  They did and because of the large number of fish, were unable to haul in the net.  John recognized the voice and may have recalled a similar event three years before when Jesus had called him to follow him, responding:  It is the Lord!  Impetuous Peter dressed and swam to shore.  Jesus had started a charcoal fire and was warming some bread and roasting some fish.

Jesus nourished the disciples with fish and bread.  153 different varieties of fish were gathered in the nets by the disciples.  "Come and have some breakfast" Jesus said:  One wonders if the disciples remembered Jesus feeding 5,000 people with two fish and five loaves.  Jesus wanted his disciples to know he was not a spirit or a ghost.  He had a body that was recognizable and could eat.  This was Jesus' third, recorded, appearance since his resurrection.

Lessons Jesus was teaching:  There will always be enough resources for the Commission the disciples would receive.  They were nourished spiritually and physically.  Those who would follow Jesus, as a result of the disciples' testimonies, would become Ecclesia (The Called our Ones), The Church and it would be made of a variety of people.  Ezekiel 47:9 says:  There will be a Large number of fish.  Matthew 13:47-48 records Jesus' Parable of a Net Full of Fish.

Read John 21:15-25.  Jesus led Peter through his disowning Jesus by BURNING COALS.  Jesus asks Peter:  Do you love me more than these boats, this life of fishing or these disciples?  Peter responded:  "Yes, Lord, you know I Love You."  (There are multiple words for LOVE in Greek.)  In this conversation two are used:  Agape and Phileo.  Jesus uses Agape, which is God's Unconditional Love, love that is demonstrated with no expectation in return.  It is the Love Jesus showed his disciples and all of us when he died on the cross taking upon himself all sin.  John 3:16 says it clearly:  For God so loved the word that he gave his one and only son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal love.  Peter responds with Phileo, which is "brotherly and sisterly love."  Philadelphia, "City of brotherly love" comes from Phileo. Jesus says to Peter:  Tend my lambs.  

Jesus asks a second time:  Do you Agape me?  Peter responds:  Yes Lord, you know I Phileo you. Jesus:  Shepherd my sheep.  Jesus asks a third time:  Do you Phileo me?  Peter was grieved: Lord you know all things, you know I Phileo you. Jesus:  Tend mu sheep.  

Imagery and association lead Peter through the painful experience of denial.  Some suggest it was penitence.  I believe Jesus used the charcoal fire to lead Peter through his painful (healing of memories).  Peter was forgiven, even though he denied knowing Jesus.  Peter was unable to forgive himself.  Jesus was saying:  I have a task for you:  "Feed my Sheep."  

Jesus was Calling Peter for a Second Time to Follow him.  He was reinstating and commissioning Peter and the other disciples to take the Good News to all Nations:  Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved.  Make them my disciples.  Proclaim what you have seen and heard so they may have Fellowship with one another as you have fellowship with me.  "Our Fellowship is with the Father and with the Son, Jesus Christ."  (I John 1:3)

Jesus' commissions for Peter would not be easy.  The commission was repeated two ways.  Shepherd the flock and Tend my lambs.  Leadership and Teaching are based on what was heard from Jesus.  Peter and the other disciples lead the Church along the path prepared by Jesus.  Early Christians were called People of The Way.  They were following the One who had said:  I AM The Way, The Truth and The Life.  (John 14:6) Peter experienced and then taught of LOVE'S HEALING POWER.

Jesus saw Peter as the one whom he would become.  Jesus sees in us what we will become.  He asks us:  "Do you love me more than your material security?  Do you love me more than your job or your friends?  Life will not be easy.  You will pay a price for following me.  Speaking to Peter, Jesus said:  When you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands and someone else will dress you and lead you to where you do not want to go.  "Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God.  Jesus said:  "Follow Me!"  (John 21:18-19)

Peter asked:  "What about John?"  Jesus responded:  If it is my will that he remains and abides until I come, what is that to you? YOU Must Follow Me! (Repeated Twice)                (John 21:21:22)

We tend to compare ourselves to others, whether in rationalizing our own level of devotion to Christ or their talents and Spiritual Gifts.  We are Easter People.  "Every morning is Easter."

Jesus Christ is Lord of the Church and Lord of our lives.  The Christian Life is one lived in the presence and power of the One who crucified and rose from the dead!  

N.T. Wright:  Bishop of Duran, England, author of many books writes:  "Easter was a pilot project.  What God did for Jesus that explosive morning is what God is intending to do for the whole creation.  We who live in the interval between Easter and that eventual hope CALLED as the new-creation people here and now.  That is the hidden meaning of the greatest festival Christians have...

The real meaning of Easter...is about new creation which has already begun.  The creator God is remaking the world challenging all other powers that think that's their job... Christianity's critics, then and now, have always sneered that nothing has changed.             But in fact, everything has.  The world is a different place...

It is up those who follow Jesus to show that this is so.  Easter gives Christians a double vocation.  They are themselves are part of the new creation, plunged into Jesus' death and finding new life in His resurrection.

Secondly, they are agents of justice and beauty planting signposts in the Easter soil which points to the renewal of all things."

We are Called as New-Creation People.  We are Called to  invite others to Come and See.

"That You May Believe "

Jesus' approach with Peter is effective in facing our own grievous failures, anger or self-pity.  Love's Healing Power will work for us.

Close your eyes and reflect, Are there any "hidden secrets" in your life that would make headlines if a reporter discovered it?  (Open your eyes and continue reflecting.)  Few of us will find ourselves in the public eye, but even if no one knows, God knows.  We may think "I'm not worthy of serving God because of this."  

It may be something others know about.  It may be something we have sought God's forgiveness but have been unable to forgive ourselves.  

It may be something no one knows about.  It may be a "skeleton in the closet," hidden. It may be an abusive word or act.  It may be unfaithfulness to a spouse.  It may be guilt we try covering with drugs.  It may be stealing... It may be holding a "grudge." It may anger towards parents... It may be abuse we have suffered... It  may be the lack of self-worth.

When we are unable to receive God's forgiveness or feel unworthy of serving God, let's think about this story and how Jesus met Peter and the other disciples at their point of despair.  Jesus lead Peter with Love through steps leading to Healing and being Reinstated as a Follower of Jesus and Leader of His Community, which is called the "Body of Christ."

If Jesus forgave Peter and empowered Peter to serve Him, Jesus will forgive us. We are called as witnesses of what we have Seen and Heard. What has Jesus meant in our lives.  

LOVE"S HEALING POWER is forgiving and wants to remove our shame and  restore us ...  LOVE'S HEALING POWER suspends judgement and punishment.  

Peter was CALLED TWICE... Maybe more than twice.  "He Did Follow Jesus." Jesus said:  Follow Me."  Are you Following Jesus?

 (Peter faithfully followed  Jesus and served Jesus' Church.  As Jesus said:  Peter was dressed and taken to the cross by another person, under Emperor Nero's Order.   Peter asked to be crucified upside down, because he couldn't imagine dying in the same way as Jesus, who forgave and restored Peter to full responsibility and fellowship.                                  

* Times On Line, April 2009