THIRD SUNDAY of EASTER

 

The Church Year is divided into Festivals beginning with Christmas, which includes  4 Sundays in Advent and Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. 

This is followed by Epiphany Season which begins with the Epiphany of Our Lord and ends 9 Sundays later with the Transfiguration of Our Lord. 

The Time of Easter follows beginning with Lent, followed by Holy Week starting with Palm Sunday and concludes with Good Friday.  Easter Season begins with the Resurrection of Our Lord and includes the Ascension of Our Lord  and ends with Pentecost.  

The first Pentecost took place on the 50th day after Easter Sunday when the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit, enabling them to testify boldly to spread the Good News of the Gospel. 

The Time of the Church is the Season after Pentecost, beginning with The Holy Trinity, the First Sunday after Pentecost through the Twenty-seventh Sunday after Pentecost ending with the Sunday of Fulfillment, the Last Sunday after Pentecost.

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This Sunday we mark the THIRD SUNDAY of EASTER.​

​SERMON TEXT:  John 21:1-14 NIV​

 

Jesus and the Miraculous Catch of Fish

21 Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: 

2 Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. 

3 “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.

5 He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”

“No,” they answered.

6 He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. 

8 The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. 

9 When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.

10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” 

11 So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. 

12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 

13 Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 

14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.

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SERMON THEME: 

An Extraordinary Lord in our Ordinary Living

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Reflection:

In the first four verses of our reading John tells this story is told in great detail. Most of the disciples present are mentioned by name. The key players in the dialog are Peter and John. John is only referred to as one of the sons of Zebedee – later called “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (v 7). The emphasis in this text is the presence of the resurrected Christ and all that He means for life. The miraculous catch of fish is not the primary focus. Although the resurrection has taken place, the fishermen still fish. Life goes on...

Night time was best for fishing and expecting good results. However, this night they caught nothing. As day was breaking and it was time to come to shore, Jesus urges them to cast the net out again. This time they catch a great abundance of fish. There are times in our lives when Jesus does some unusual things in our lives and helps us remember that it is he who behind them.

The fishermen did not recognize that the person on the shore was Jesus. The boat was 100 yards from shore (v. 8), and the light of day was still dim. The miracle catch of fish leads the disciples to the recognition of Jesus on the shore saying it is the Lord.

Note the beautiful command and promise. They obeyed immediately and the miracle followed immediately. Many times in life the commands of the Lord seem foolish. But faithful obedience leads to carrying out His will and then we are astounded at what He accomplishes through us. It is remarkable that they obeyed before they recognized Him. That was true faith.

During this third appearance after the resurrection, Jesus performs another miracle and serves as host at a meal for the disciples. Jesus shows once again His servant heart, teaching us to follow in His way. We bless and serve one another because our gracious Savior continues to bless and serve us

Devotion from Eugene Brunow – April 28, 2025

lcms Indiana District

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EASTER HYMN:

Author:Christian Fürchtegott Gellert, 1715-69

Translator:Frances E. Cox, 1812-97

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Jesus Lives, The Victory's Won

1 Jesus lives! The vict'ry's won!
Death no longer can appall me;
Jesus lives! Death's reign is done!
From the grave Christ will recall me.
Brighter scenes will then commence;
This shall be my confidence.

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2 Jesus lives! To Him the throne
High above all things is given.
I shall go where He is gone,
Live and reign with Him in heaven.
God is faithful; doubtings, hence!
This shall be my confidence.

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3 Jesus lives! For me He died.
Hence will I, to Jesus living,
Pure in heart and act abide,
Praise to Him and glory giving.
All I need God will dispense;
This shall be my confidence.

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4 Jesus lives! I know full well
Nothing me from Him shall sever,
Neither death nor pow'rs of hell
Part me now from Christ forever.
God will be my sure defense;
This shall be my confidence.

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5 Jesus lives! And now is death
But the gate of life immortal;
This shall calm my trembling breath
When I pass its gloomy portal.
Faith shall cry, as fails each sense;
Jesus is my confidence!

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Hear the Sermon on YouTube

(posted shortly after the Service but not live streamed)

youtube.com/@oslcchatham6321

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