THE DAY AFTER EASTER
John 21:1-19
Introduction: Edgar Allen Poe wrote, “When the excitement dies, the elevation of soul ends and so does the poem, in so far as it is a poem.” What do you do when the band stops playing and the “Amen’s” are no longer shouted? What do you do when it seems like faith has been misguided? Consider the condition of the disciples on the day after Easter.
I. The Emotional Excitement of the Resurrection Events
A. The great sadness of Jesus’ death on the cross, the crushed dreams and aspirations of the followers of Christ and the accompanying three protracted days of silence would be shattered giving way to the exhilaration and wonder of the most amazing events on Easter.
B. The Bible tells us that the women returned to Joseph’s garden tomb where the lifeless body of Jesus was laid having been taken down from the cross before the Jewish Sabbath. They traveled to the garden tomb on Sunday at “early dawn” — the Greek word is literally being “deep” dawn, referring to that wonderfully opaque, eerily mysterious hour just before sunrise, when everything is gray and it is difficult to see and distinguish objects return. The first person to see Jesus alive was Mary Magdalene who had arrived at the sepulcher very early while it was yet dark. Immediately she ran back by the shortest way to inform Peter and John of this fact (John 20:1). The other women finished their two mile’s walk from Bethany to the tomb, arrived a little after the rising of the sun (Mark 16:2). An angel suddenly appeared to them and gave them an urgent message to the disciples. Another party of women came a little later, and saw "two young men" dressed in white at the tomb, and received words of comfort and instruction (Luke 24:4). About 6:30 a.m. Peter and John arrive, John running ahead (John 20:11-13). Mary Magdalene returned a little later and saw two angels (John 20:11-13). About 7:00 a.m. Jesus revealed Himself to the company of women returning to the sepulcher, and sent them with the charge to the discciples to go to Galilee (Matt 28:9f). About 4 p.m. Christ appeared to Simon Peter (Luke 24:23; 1Cor 15:5), and from 4-6 p.m. to Clephas and his companion on the way to Emmaus. Finally, in the evening, probably about 8 p.m., the risen Lord appeared to the eleven and others in the room with barred doors (Luke 24:36f; Mark 16:14; John 20:19f). This day was certainly unlike any other day. This was a day that would never be forgotten.
C. Easter did not begin with the singing of Hallelujah. The day began with the emotion of fear. It began with the cry of fear. We have developed a day of sweet celebration, all the while forgetting that Easter began basically with frightening events, the earthquake, the stone rolled away, the bright messenger, the mighty Roman becoming like dead men, the fear of the women that the body of the Master had been stolen. Their fear is quickly joined by great joy.
D. Matthew 28:8-9 “So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word. And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, "Rejoice!" So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him.”
E. The day started with fear and joy and truly was one filled with excitement, awe and wonder.
II. The Psychological Impact of the Post Resurrection Quiet
A. Imagine if you would what it must have been like that for the disciples after that first Easter Sunday. None of them had actually seen the resurrection. They had heard the reports about the empty tomb; a couple of them had seen a mysterious stranger on the road to Emmaus, who appeared to be Jesus. Peter and the others had seen Him but for a brief time. Things were now quickly returning to normal.
B. The day after the resurrection started like most other days. Nothing spectacular is recorded in the Scriptures as having happened. In fact there is silence about the day after Easter.
C. The day before was a mountaintop experience filled with excitement and emotion, but now they had to face blue Monday. Waking up on the morning after Easter the world strangely looked pretty much the same as it had looked before they had gone through the ordeal of the arrest, trial, crucifixion and the resurrection. Things looked like everything went back to the way it was before they had met Christ. It looked discouraging.
D. Over the next few days the discouragement increased as they waited for Christ to appear to them again. In John 21, we read that some of the disciples had gathered at Peter’s home in Capernaum, waiting for Jesus, when Peter, impatient and discouraged announced that he was returning to his fishing business.
E. John 21:3 “Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We are going with you also." They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing.”
F. hupago hoop-ag’-o: to lead (oneself) under, that is to withdraw or retire (as if sinking out of sight)
G. Peter was ready to quit being a disciple and go back to what he knew best, fishing. The other disciples were as dismayed as he was as seven of the eleven went with him and three of those were not even fisherman. They said, “Hey, we will go with you.”
III. The Return to One’s Comfort Zone.
A. It’s Monday, carrying yesterday’s events in their minds, each one had doubts about what happened and of Jesus’ words. It appeared as if each one had given up hope after Christ’s crucifixion. They were drifting apart ready to give up. Adding to his musings, Simon Peter had to deal with the fact that he had denied Jesus three times.
B. Peter was probably questioning his future. Peter was in turmoil and went back to that which he felt was comfortable and safe.
C. Note that their return to their comfort zone didn’t improve the situation.
D. John 21:3 “Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We are going with you also." They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing.”
E. They tried to go back to the way things were before they met the Man from Galilee. Although they wanted it to be – it was not nor would ever be again – Business as Usual!
IV. The Re-commissioning of a Disciple
A. Christ brought fellowship and provision to where they were.
B. John 21:4-13 “But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Then Jesus said to them, "Children, have you any food?" They answered Him, "No." And He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish. Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea. But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from land, but about two hundred cubits), dragging the net with fish. Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish which you have just caught." Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not broken. Jesus said to them, "Come and eat breakfast." Yet none of the disciples dared ask Him, "Who are You?"--knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus then came and took the bread and gave it to them, and likewise the fish.
C. As He fed the seven on the shore of the sea, Christ, giving Peter the assurance that he was forgiven, commissioned Peter to not continue business as usual but to carry out the task that he had be called by God to complete.
D. John 21:15-17 “So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Feed My lambs." He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Tend My sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep.”
E. Christ clearly asked Peter, “Am I more important to you than your old life? Your comfort zone? Your livelihood? Your business? Everything that you hold dear in life?”
F. Peter affirms his love for Christ as surpassing all things. No longer is it the “day after” Easter but now every day becomes Resurrection Day for Peter.
V. Practical Application
A. “It can be so easy for Easter to be a moment in time and not a moment that changes time. Our experience with Christ should change our lives. We shouldn’t experience the resurrection and then just go back to the day to day lives we lead unchanged. Life should be different because of the grace of Christ. Did Easter change you, or are you back to the daily grind? Jesus wants more from us than to just experience the joy of the resurrection - He wants us to live changed lives!” - copied
B. Do you remember when were saved? When you became a Christian? The joy – the excitement? When you were in obedience baptized? When the message God had for you moved you to commit your life to completely follow Jesus Christ. But what about ’The Day After’ you became a Christian? Have you changed anything in your life to show the world you are a Christian? Or has it been business as usual?
C. Is Jesus pleased with what is in your heart today - or is it still filled with the same things it was filled with when you first met Christ?
D. James 1:22-24 “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.
E. Perhaps your world has turned upside down. When our world-view has been turned upside-down, our first reaction is to retreat into our comfort zone. But God calls us out of that comfort zone to first “come and dine and then to “go and serve”.
F. Revelation 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”
G. No matter the failure God will still use you if you let Him.
H. Someone has said “After an encounter with Christ, you can’t just go back to your old way of life. Things will never be the same again”
I. Everyday ought to be Easter for the believer where he seeks to “...know Him and the power of His resurrection” (Philippians 3:10)
J. Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Disclaimer: In addition to prayer and Bible study, source material for this sermon has been gleaned from many different sources. I have attempted to acknowledge these sources whenever possible. Please feel free to use this message as God’s Holy Spirit directs your heart.
