Jesus the Chef

 

The Rev. Kathi Johnson
14 April 2013 – C Easter 3
Text: John 21:1-14
Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Grand Prairie, Texas

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Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest, and let these gifts to us be blessed. Amen.

Several years ago, I served as a hospital chaplain at a large group of hospitals in Austin. I was there for about six months – long enough to get into the rhythms of the chaplaincy office somewhat. Part of the Friday ritual in their office was to gather the chaplaincy team for lunch at a common time – at that time, there were maybe seven or eight of us. On most days, lunch was eaten quickly, between visits, meetings, walking the floors, and the pagers going off. But on Fridays, the hospital world seemed to stop, just for a bit, as a few chaplains tried to connect with each other at the end of a busy week.

My final Friday there was crazier than usual in terms of patient care – lots of needs that day. We were all aware of my upcoming departure, and so we tried extra hard to be present for the common lunch hour. We gathered, having to bring in more chairs than usual. The mood was more spirited than usual – the atmosphere charged with the “good-byes” we knew we’d be saying in a few hours. Over our lunch that day, we shared stories and laughter, teasing each other with the warmth and camaraderie of a family. In gathering together on that Friday, we acknowledged that we were in the midst of a special group of people – a group that would never be gathered in the same way again.

What is gained by people gathering together to share a meal? Why do we serve food at weddings and funerals, and often celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, and other special days with loved ones over special meals? Why is one of our Sacraments a meal? What do we share over food that we do not share at other times? What do we receive in eating together?

Our gospel lesson today tells us of a gathering of friends and co-workers – we have today a story about a meal on the beach. The disciples are coming in from a night of fishing – a frustrating night, as they toil and catch nothing. Daybreak brings them to a man standing on the shore, hollering for them to cast their nets once again. Can you imagine their exhaustion in trying again? And yet, when they do, there is an abundance of fish for them.

And so, the night’s frustration gives way to joy – joy made all the greater when the realization of who is on the beach; who is hollering from the shore; who is cooking for them. And, isn’t it interesting to imagine Jesus as a chef? “Bring your catch!” he says, and the text carefully tells us that there are one hundred and fifty-three fish in that net – and yet the net isn’t torn. The text doesn’t share with us Jesus’ culinary secrets for preparing fish over a fire, but we clearly hear his words of welcome – his words of holy hospitality – “Come, and have breakfast.” And so, they gather to eat, not questioning his identity, for they know who this is. And Jesus – the same Jesus who has been crucified and raised – this Jesus serves them their meal of fish and bread.

In thinking about this meal in the simplest way, we see that it is a breakfast gathering of friends with their teacher, their risen Lord. Surely they are exhausted from working all night; Jesus gives them nourishment, and the food gives them strength. Beyond this, the time for fellowship gives one more chance for Jesus to be with those he loves, and one more chance for them to be with the One whom they love. What emerges out of this post-resurrection appearance – this time together – this meal on the beach – is the reason that Jesus came at all: to show God’s love for us.

What do we receive in eating together? What hopefully emerges from our meals together is love. God’s love for us is shown in Holy Communion, and we receive that sacrament – that holy meal - as a community formed by that divine love.

In other meals – such as our potluck Table Talks or midweek meals - our love for one another is shown in the nourishment we provide for each other as we serve and as we are served, as we cook (or buy take-out) for each other, and as we eat together, sharing our stories, sharing our souls, sharing ourselves.

And so, my brothers and sisters, as we continue to work in God’s Kingdom together – as we continue to discern how God is using us and will use us for his work - let us not grow weary in doing what is right. let us not grow weary in living the lesson of the meal on the beach. Let us not grow weary in loving each other. For we can rest assured that when we are frustrated or exhausted because our toil seems to gain us nothing – there is Jesus, standing on the beach, hollering out to us: “Put your nets out on this other side!” And, in heeding his words, there we will find enough – and even more than enough – to help us through. And in that “more than enough” will be the strength to go and to serve, in love.

O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good, and his mercy endures forever! Amen.

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