9-1-24 “Because Jesus Loves you!”

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“Because Jesus Loves you!”

I want to start with something funny that I found on an internet site: After the Baptizing of his baby brother in church, little Johnny sobbed all the way home in the back seat of the car. His father asked him three times what was wrong. Finally, the boy replied, “That priest said he wanted us brought up in a Christian home, but I want to stay with you guys!”

Your kids learn by what they see, not by what they hear. In other words, your kids follow what you do, not what you say. Back in Korea, I ran a preschool from 1997 to 2001. I sometime watched the kids playing during break time. Through their play, I could get a glimpse of their home environments, such as their parents’ jobs, their relationships, and even what their parents did during leisure time. I often used this information during parent counseling sessions, and they were surprised by how much I knew about their lives. I explained that their kids saw everything they did, and they grew up based on what they observed.

A few weeks ago, my friend and her two kids visited me from Chicago. She shared her concern about her son, who never lets her rest. So, I gave her some time to relax and babysat her son for a while. During that time, I observed how she had influenced him. While playing with some toys, he pretended to clean up, using a scolding voice, saying, “Why did you do this? Who did this?” He had learned this behavior from his mom.

It’s similar in church. New believers often learn from older believers, especially from church leaders. Church leaders can have a significant influence on the rest of the congregation. They should serve as examples for new members in Jesus Christ. In some cases, new members may learn more from observing how church leaders act than from what the pastor preaches.

There is a similar story in today’s scripture. It tells us about the disciples and Jesus, who appeared to them for the third time after His resurrection. The disciples had learned from Jesus for three years how to “fish for people” since the time He called them at the lakeshore, saying, “Come, follow me, and I will make you fish for people” (Matthew 4:19). However, after Jesus died on the cross and was resurrected, as He had taught them would happen, they returned to their old ways before they met Jesus. Even though Jesus had appeared to them twice after His resurrection, and they had seen the holes in His hands and side, they still lost their faith in Him.

Most of Jesus’ disciples gathered at the lakeshore where they first met Him after He had died and was resurrected. Peter said, “I am going fishing.” They had completely forgotten why they were at the lakeshore and that it was where they first met Jesus. Perhaps they gathered there because Mary Magdalene told them that the risen Jesus would go to Galilee, where He first met His disciples, and meet them there. However, the disciples were doubtful that the risen Christ would actually come to see them. So, Simon Peter said, “I am going fishing.” Then the other disciples said, “We will go with you.” Notice, they followed their senior leader Peter, rather than what Jesus had said.

The influence of church leaders and parents can significantly shape the next generation. If you are late to church service, your children likely will be too, even if the pastor says, “Please, come on time.” The truth is that some of you may follow the example of our church elders more than what I, as your Pastor, teaches. I’m not saying this to complain, but because it’s common sense: people tend to follow what they see, not just what they hear. This happens because you’ve seen the elders for more years than you’ve known me, and your kids see you more often than they do their school or Sunday school teachers.

For such foolish human beings, God came into the world as Jesus Christ, who was the living Son of God. He died on the cross and resurrected on the third day because He loves us. Even though His disciples completely forgot what He taught them, Jesus never gave up on them. Let’s imagine how Jesus cares for each of us individually through Peter’s story.

Jesus set the scene like a drama stage for His disciples, especially for Peter. Jesus guided Peter to return to the lakeshore where they first met—in other words, to the place of Peter’s calling. But it wasn’t time yet for him to recall Jesus’ calling because he went fishing with the other disciples. Think about it—they were fishermen. Even though they had stopped fishing for three years to follow Jesus, they were still expert fishermen at that lake, meaning their bodies and instincts automatically remembered how and where to fish, right?

I learned to ride a bike when I was 8 years old, taught by my mom, who never rode a bike herself. She held the back of my bike until I could ride on my own. I continued riding until I was twelve. After I left home for boarding school, I didn’t have a chance to ride again. However, three years ago, I bought a bike at someone’s moving sale, remembering my mom. Even though I hadn’t ridden in a long time, my body still remembered how to bike.

Back to the scripture. Surprisingly, the disciples couldn’t catch any fish at all, despite their efforts. At that moment, Jesus stood on the beach and said, “Children, you do not have any fish, do you?” They answered, “No.” Jesus continued, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” It’s interesting how Jesus called them “Children” and knew they had caught nothing. They had fished all night—hadn’t they tried fishing on the right side of the boat? Despite their doubts, the disciples followed Jesus’ instruction and cast the net. They were then unable to haul it in because there were so many fish. Finally, the disciple John said, “It’s the Lord.” Peter, hearing this, hurried to Jesus. When Peter approached, he saw that Jesus had a charcoal fire going. What does the charcoal fire remind you of? Yes, it reminds us that Peter had denied Jesus three times by a charcoal fire when Jesus was arrested. However, Jesus didn’t ask Peter, “Why did you deny me?” or remind him of that denial. Instead, He asked Peter, “Do you love me?” three times. This is because Jesus loved him and never gave up on him.

Jesus called Peter, who was the oldest disciple among the twelve. Peter had denied Jesus three times, lost faith, and returned to a worldly life. Nevertheless, because Jesus loved him, He came to him again and gave him a second chance by asking, “Do you love me?” and “Do you love me more than these others?” If your spouse often asks you, “Do you love me?” it’s because they truly love you. If they ask, “Do you love me more than others?” it means they love you deeply and uniquely. Similarly, Jesus loved Peter more than others. He couldn’t give up on Peter even regardless of his returning to a worldly life, so He gave him a second chance at the place where He first called him, and by the charcoal fire—symbolizing that even though you denied me, I still love you. Jesus’ love transformed Peter, and Peter, in turn, transformed many people.

Yes, Jesus died on the cross because He loved you and continues to love you. He resurrected from the dead to show that His love for you is everlasting. He may come to you wherever you are because He will never give up on you. Remember, the reason Jesus chose and called you is that you are an important person who can influence many around you. We have a mission statement: “Let us make disciples for Jesus Christ in all generations with open hearts, open minds, and open doors for the transformation of the world.” The path to transforming the world begins with each of us transforming ourselves into disciples of Jesus. Remember, the reason you are here today is because Jesus loves you. God bless you! Thanks be to God. Amen!