David Bahn – Reflections

One of the most intense and suspenseful movies I can remember is Wait Until Dark. Starring Audrey Hepburn and Alan Arkin, it is a story of a recently-blind woman (Hepburn) who is being stalked by three thugs in search of a heroin-filled doll supposedly in her possession.

The climax has Hepburn’s character in her apartment desperately trying to unplug the refrigerator. She’s trying to do so because it is the only source of light in the apartment,  the door having been wedged open by her pursuers. She is desperately trying to plunge her world into darkness. It is her only source of safety. She can navigate through the dark. Her pursuers cannot.

This is not the darkness that John speaks about in these verses. He’s not talking about people retreating to the safety of darkness because they are being pursued by evil actors. He’s talking about those who are hiding in the dark in order to inflict evil on others. We must not live in such dark places – places from which we launch evil schemes, places in which we hide our false motives, places where we harden our hearts to the needs of others and refuse to honor God. If we live there we have no fellowship with God.

God invites us into the light. There is, however, a problem there. In the light our evil and sin is exposed. We will have to admit that there sin in our souls. We only deceive ourselves if we refuse to admit it. But if we confess our sins, God forgives our sins and cleanses us from all unrighteousness. By his mercy and grace we are able to come to the light, live in the light, and rejoice in the light of God’s love. No need to hide from the evil one. He’s been defeated, and we are safe in fellowship with one another as forgiven of all our sins. No need to pull the plug!

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— ² the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— ³ that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. ⁴ And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. – 1 John 1:1-4

Take a look at a beautiful sunset, a grand mountain vista, a beautiful flower. It’s obvious to me that there is a God who is creative and glorious. Creation testifies to God’s glory, power, and existence. Our conscience is the inner testimony to God’s character. There are certain things we may know about God – or at least surmise about him. There is a God. He created the universe. We are accountable to him. There are moral rights and wrongs by which we we be judged. This is called the natural knowledge of God.

The grace of God and the forgiveness of sins is not something we can know by natural knowledge or reason. It must be revealed to us. It is not knowable by observation. So John says that this grace – the life of God and the gift of eternal life – has been revealed. Although it was from the beginning (cf. Genesis 1:1; John 1:1), it is being revealed, manifest, made known. God has revealed his grace, love and life. He wants us to know it.

I thank God that this is the case. He offers us the opportunity for a relationship that goes beyond mere knowledge about. He offers us the opportunity for us to fear, love, and trust in him. He has revealed a heart of kindness and mercy. He has let us know of the blessings of eternal life. He has not kept it a secret.

We must, therefore, understand that people do not figure out the gospel. We must proclaim the love, forgiveness, and eternal life of God to those to whom it has not been revealed. Just as we have received this gift because others have revealed it to us by their proclamation of the gospel, so may we proclaim it to others to their great benefit and eternal joy.

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. ⁶ If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. ⁷ But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. ⁸ If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰ If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. – 1 John 1:5-10

 Leadership and Self Deception is a book by the Arbinger Institute. The authors make the case that when we blame others for the challenges we face (“bad boss, no cooperation, bitter co-worker,” etc.) we end up deceiving ourselves, which they call putting ourselves “in the box.” In that mindset, they point out we…

• Inflate other’s faults
• Inflate our own virtue
• Inflate the value of things that justify our self-deception; and
• Blame others.

Those seem to be important insights. They shed some light and add some specificity to the impact of our actions or mindset toward others. What we think about someone else impacts us and them in ways beyond the obvious.

As John talks about this, however, he isn’t talking just about how people relate to each other at work. That’s important and worthy of our consideration in itself. But even more important is our relationship with God, and how that works itself out in our relationship with others. For we may be able to deceive our co-worker, neighbor, or even a close family member; and shame on us if we do so. Eventually, however, we will be found out. Our neighbors will see behind the smoke screen we put up. Our family and friends will see behind the walls we hide behind. In the end, we only deceive ourselves. We cannot deceive God.

An attitude of humility before God will also be shown in our attitude toward others. This is the key of having any kind of impact in the lives of others. If we approach others in an attitude of humility, we will more easily gain entry into their hearts and lives. Of course that requires humility on the part of others as well. But if there is a spirit of mutual respect and reciprocal humility beautiful things can happen. That is not a dangerous deception. It is a delightful dynamic!

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— ² the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— ³ that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. ⁴ And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. – 1 John 1:1-4

The track – such as it was – went around the football field behind the junior high I attended. It was not level. In fact it provided some significant opportunities to stumble or slow you down. This wasn’t very difficult for me. I was never a runner. I was always the last one to finish our lap before calisthenics in our gym class. One day, however, I was not last – far from it. I was to lead our warm-up calisthenics for the whole class. So I ran like the wind–or more aptly-put–like a breeze. I got there before a good 10% of the class finished. I was afraid of being called out. I pretty much lived that way all through junior high school, and much of high school. I lived in light of fear.

A far better way to live is in light of God’s love. This is what John will be laying out for us over these next 5 weeks. Chapter by chapter we’ll work our way through this short letter (John’s letters are in the back of the Bible–not among the first books of the New Testament like the Gospel of John).

John begins with an echoette. He echos the opening words of his Gospel account of Jesus’ ministry. There he says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was in the beginning with God. ³ All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:1-3). Those words were likely written before John’s letter. But they echo the opening words of the Bible itself: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1).

This message about God’s love is nothing new. It was from the beginning. It was not a new idea on God’s part. Nor was it a last minute addition. It was from the beginning. That love has been shown to us in Jesus. He is the embodiment of God’s love. He shows us God’s love. He had been heard, seen, and touched by John and the others. God’s love is real.

Those who receive that love of God hold Jesus in common. That is our fellowship. If we are truly to live in light of God’s love we must claim our place in the center of that love. It’s not our ethnicity, nor our intelligence, nor our socio-economic station that brings us together. God’s love spans all those things and more. It even spans the chasm of our sin and embraces us in our brokenness.

Living in light of that kind of love opens up new avenues of hope, joy, fellowship, and opportunity. The burden of proving ourselves by our performance is lifted. We are free to live in joy–a joy that overflows into the lives of others.

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, 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.” ¹⁶ He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” ¹⁷ He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, 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 everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. ¹⁸ Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” ¹⁹ (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.” John 21:15-19

I’m a bottom line guy. I ask my wife to summarize a newspaper article for me and she begins to give me details of the persons, places, events, times, dates, and other details. After about 4 details my eyes glaze over, and I tell her, “I just want the bottom line. Is this a good thing or a bad thing? Is this person someone whom I should trust? Is this event a cause for joy or lament? Give me the bottom line.

The three-time question of Peter, “Do you love me?” has a very important bottom line. Our love for Jesus should show itself in many ways. One way to think of it is to reflect on Jesus’ love for us. He shows his love for us in that he pursues us. He called Peter out. He called Peter to follow him. He called Peter out of the boat to walk on water. He shows up now to have this conversation with Peter because he wants to pursue this man who had forsaken him. He wants that event no longer to have a hold on Peter.

Jesus shows his love for us by being persistent in seeking us. He doesn’t stop asking Peter if he loves him after one inquiry. Three times he asks Peter. He persists in gaining entry into Peter’s heart.

Jesus is also willing to be in close proximity with Peter and his disciples. When Jesus breathed on the disciples in the upper room, he had to be in close proximity to them. Now when he eats with his disciples, and asks Peter about his love, he does so in that space and time.

The greatest expression of Jesus’ love is his humble service to his disciples – washing their feet – and his innocent sacrifice on the cross for our sins.

Thanks to Pastor Matt Popovits, Senior Pastor of St. Mark Lutheran Church in Houston, for the three-P summary of Jesus’ love for us: Pursuit; Persistence; and Proximity. He offered these insights at the St. John National Day of Prayer breakfast on May 2, 2019.

All of this is shown to be sufficient, acceptable to God, and a complete victory by Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. The bottom line for Peter was simple: “Follow me.”

John also tells us that he didn’t record everything Jesus did. We have, however, the bottom line of Jesus’ ministry. It’s a bottom line of love, redemption, hope, and purpose. We can count on that!

Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” ²¹ When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” ²² Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” ²³ So the saying spread abroad among the brothers that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?”

²⁴ This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true.

²⁵ Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. John 21:20-25

When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. ¹⁰ Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” ¹¹ So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. ¹² Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. ¹³ Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. ¹⁴ This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead. – John 21:9-14

Diane Ackerman is an poet and author writes, “Nothing is more memorable than a smell. One scent can be unexpected, momentary and fleeting, yet conjure up a childhood summer beside a lake in the mountains.” Or, we might add, a charcoal fire, and a cold courtyard and a young girl who asks Peter, “You also are not one of this man’s disciples, are you?” (cf. John 18:17-18).

I wonder if Peter knew it was coming. Did he suspect that Jesus would ask him about that night? That will come later. At this point, there is simply a large haul of fish, an invitation to breakfast, and a group of disciples too afraid to ask if it was really Jesus. This is the third time Jesus reveals himself to his disciples.

John includes the curious observation that “none of the disciples dared ask him, ‘Who are you?’ They knew it was the Lord.” The mystery is solved in the next moments, but the question remains: Why does John tell us this? Is he merely observing that the disciples are being circumspect? Is he pointing out that Peter is not his usual foot-in-mouth self?

As the story unfolds – even this small part of it – we begin to see that Jesus is in full control. The agenda is his. Not only has he provided a remarkable catch of fish, he has built a fire. He has cooked breakfast. He has set the stage for what will follow.

This is the third time Jesus appears to his disciples. Another series of three will soon unfold. For now, however, we can simply take to heart that Jesus is in control of every situation. And what he will do will serve ultimately for our good and his glory.

Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. ⁵ Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?”They answered him, “No.” ⁶ He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. ⁷ That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea.⁸ The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off. – John 21:4-8

I’m not really an expert in too many things. Preaching? Maybe. Photography? Once in a while I manage to grab a shot. Parenting? Well, I’ve had at least some experience in that category. But I know some really good preachers. I’m a member of a photo club and only occasionally win a ribbon in competition. And my children might reveal certain chinks in my armor. Don’t even ask me about fishing!

The disciples, however, seem to be expert fishermen. They surely knew their trade. But – expert or master – this night they were unsuccessful. So when Jesus shows up, asking if they had any fish, they must come to grips with their inability to control the situation and succeed at their trade. They are busted. Found out. Their lack of success is exposed.

But the odds are stacked against them. When Jesus tells them to cast their net on the other side of the boat – and they do, and they haul in a catch too big to haul in – we must conclude something. Jesus had set them up. As surely as he knew where the fish were, and where they needed to cast their nets, he knew that they would not catch any fish even before they set out the previous day. They were set up. Although the text does not say so explicitly, the One who has his eye on the sparrow, certainly has his eye on every fish in the sea of Galilee. He determines their course – and when they would find their way into the disciples’ nets.

We may wonder about God’s control over all things. We may question his ability to control the affairs of men. And while we may not want to be too cock sure of ourselves when we declare our understanding of God’s ways, we might want to hold in our hearts that God does direct the affairs of fishermen and women and men of all vocations.

When Peter cries out, “It is the Lord!” he gives us an example of what God desires in every situation – miraculous haul of fish, or quiet of a fishless night of fish. That we would recognize Jesus’ presence, and his calling to a purposeful life is God’s desire for us. Whether he calls us to “cast our nets on the other side of the boat,” or some other seemingly futile advice, we who listen to him will discover a great haul of God’s favor and blessing.

After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. ² Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. ³ Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

⁴ Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. ⁵ Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” – John 21:1-5

A church consultant offered two questions which challenged us to think about our goals and priorities for our church’s mission and ministry. 

• What business are you in?
• How’s business?

The church’s assigned business is disciple-making. That’s the Great Commission: “Go make disciples of all nations.” It’s not always boiled down to that point for many churches and ministries. We’re not always clear even as to what that means. This makes answering the second question even more difficult. How do you know how business is if you can’t describe what it actually is?

Jesus’ disciples had forsaken the business to which he had called them. Business was bad. Their leader had died, and even after his resurrection they were simply waiting around for Act 3. Act 1: Jesus was born, lived, taught, and promised. Act 2: Jesus had suffered and died, then risen from the dead. Act 3: So what is next? How does it play out that “As the Father sent me, so I am sending you”? 

What do you do if you’re a fisher of men, and your leader hasn’t given you any man-fishing directions? You go back to fishing. Only trouble is: You don’t even succeed at your old way of life. So when Jesus shows up, he calls out asking, “Children[!], do you have any fish?” How embarrassing. Not only did they fail at man-catching. They couldn’t even succeed in catching real fish. Jesus knows it and calls them out. 

So, how’s business with you? Are you living into your calling as a follower of Jesus? Do you know what it is? On the one hand it is to be a disciple-maker, seeking the rule and reign of Jesus. That grows out of Jesus’ two Great Commandments: “Love God, and love your neighbor.” We love God because he first loved us. We love our neighbor in order to reflect God’s love to us, and through us to others. We’ll never do that perfectly. But that doesn’t excuse us from trying – sticking to the business of seeking the rule and reign of Jesus in your life and in the lives of others. 

I get Thomas. The stakes are just too high. The death was just too real. The disappointment was just too great. The news was just too unbelievable. Never mind the disciples were all in agreement. Don’t mention that the women were insistent. Forget the fact that Jesus had told his followers – including Thomas – that he was going to rise from the dead. Sometimes the reality of the experience is so powerfully impressed on our hearts that we simply must ask for proof when we are told that the story has taken a different turn.

But the tide has turned. The story has taken a decided twist for the better. Jesus is really alive, and Thomas will be graced with a command performance of his Lord and God. Jesus will invite Thomas to reach into his side, and see the nail prints. Make no mistake: Jesus is alive. Don’t be disappointed. Do not despair.

This fact is beyond mere reality. Jesus’ resurrection is the stuff of faith. It doesn’t take faith to say there was a man named Jesus of Nazareth who lived, taught, gained a following, and was sentenced to death on a cross. These are mere historical facts. But to believe that this same Jesus rose from the dead requires faith.

You’re not seeing a ghost. Your mind is not playing tricks on you. This isn’t just wishful thinking. But that requires faith. So John tells us: “These things are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”

We don’t have the same opportunity that Thomas did to put our hands into Jesus’ side. But we do have the witness of Thomas and all the others. Jesus is alive. He has risen from the dead. This is God’s gift, and Jesus’ resurrection is testimony that he is the Son of God. So I get Thomas, for in the end I too am willing to say of Jesus: “My Lord and my God.”

So when it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and *said to them, “Peace be with you.” ²⁰ And when He had said this, He showed them both His hands and His side. The disciples then rejoiced when they saw the Lord.²¹ So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” ²² And when He had said this, He breathed on them and *said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. ²³ If you forgive the sins of any, their sins have been forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they have been retained.” – John 20:19-23

Woe to those who say, “Peace! Peace!” when there is no peace (cf. Jeremiah 6:14 & others). This was the warning to the prophets of the Old Testament who offered false hope. Some were saying all was well – or soon would be, when in fact God had not yet brought them to the place of peace. 

Jesus comes to his frightened and cowering disciples and twice offers a greeting of peace. Not once. Not casual. Sincere. True. Life-giving. Heart-calming. Peace is a glorious and delightful gift. It is a place of wholeness, balance, tranquility, and favor. When Jesus offers this greeting it comes from the storehouse of peace that he won by his suffering and death, and secured now by his resurrection from the dead.

Sometimes we need to hear this word of peace in the face of the tumult of a broken relationship and personal enmity. Your friend who was at war with you – for just cause or not – offers the olive branch of peace. Your sworn enemy who has sought your doom, defeat, and distress at every turn, offers his hand in peace. Relief. Comfort. Solace. Peace.

Sometimes we need to hear this word in the face of the turmoil in our souls. We struggle with guilt or shame and wish for a night of peaceful rest. We stress about situations over which we have no control. We battle unexplainable anxiety or bouts of soul-crippling fear for reasons we don’t understand. Then the Holy Spirit invades our hearts and puts our souls at peace. Anxiety flees. Fear dissolves. Stress evaporates. Same and guilt have been nailed to the cross. Peace prevails. 

Then comes the blessing of being able to proffer that same gift to others. For when we forgive someone we offer true peace. When we forgive our enemy we make the way for peace. When we absolve our brother or sister in Christ we pour oil on the troubled waters of their being.

Peace! Peace! What a gift Jesus gives. What a blessing to embrace.