March 10, 2024

GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY:

“Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor… Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” (Ephesians 4.25a, 29)

REFLECTION ON GOD’S WORD

I have to be constantly aware of the following myself: it is not always what you say (the insight, observation or information) but how you say it (the vocabulary and intentionality). Whatever is said ought to be predicated upon tone, non-verbal cues and an established relationship. That is why it is very difficult for me to write each reflection. I am writing it for me as I am experiencing God’s Word with the world in mind. The use of images, stories and italics have to become both my non-verbal cues and assimilate some form of an established relationship. That established relationship is also dependent upon who has chosen to read and reflect alongside me. I know that decision is based on familiarity with me in a different venue or by the subject/topic at hand with which we may have something in common. Paul iterates this himself when he says “let only that which is helpful for the building up of others according to their needs within the body [that is, the body of Christ which is the Church in its local and global manifestation.]” The Letter to the Ephesian community of faith in Jesus as the Christ is not the only place where Paul speaks of “building up the body.” There is no doubt in my mind that Paul and Peter had communion on this idea. Remembering Peter was tasked by the Resurrected Jesus who is the Christ of God before His ascension forty days after His resurrection. The task served a two-fold purpose. The first purpose was to reconcile and reaffirm Peter back into the community of faith he had with Jesus. Peter had denied Jesus three times before the rooster crowed following Jesus’ arrest after the Passover was celebrated in the Upper Room as it was in all Jerusalem, Judea and to the furthest ends of the world wherever those who trusted in the Jewish faith lived. It was prophesied by Jesus and denied by Peter. Yet, Jesus knew Peter better than Peter knew himself. It wasn’t until the third hearing of the rooster crowing that Peter actually listened to the words of Jesus. He cowered convicted of the betrayal and ran fearing the retribution not of the Jewish leadership nor the rejection of his fellow disciples and the community they had built up over three years but the look on Jesus’ face when it happened that said, “I told you so.”

Now by the seaside where Peter and Andrew, James and John, and perhaps a few of the other disciples had first encountered Jesus and received their call to “follow Him,” Jesus appeared again. We can assume, in this rendering of the account by John the beloved disciple, that it was the last meeting between them before Jesus ascended to sit again at the right hand of God. The words which were spoken are easily categorized by the words we are reflecting upon today from Paul to the Ephesians. The two categories are: unwholesome talk and strategic encouragement. Paul said there should be no “unwholesome talk” at all but especially not among those within the fellowship of faith community. Unwholesome talk ought to first be recognized as demeaning and destructive, tearing down the nature and character of a person. Too often we think of unwholesome talk only as cursing, taunting and immoral language. In other words, we taught about things we shouldn’t and worsen it by using the vocabulary that is rude, crude and unacceptable. Sad, is it not, that such language has become quite acceptable and even encouraged in all venues of human life…including the Church. It seems that the infiltration of the world into the community of faith is as apparent in our “common unity” as it is in our “common union,” that is, communion. How often are the words of Jesus repeated and called to mind during services and ministries of communion among the faithful? Some allusion to them is offered but the sanctity of the moment of “remember Me” has become almost passe. You see, we don’t have to curse and use vulgar language in order to produce “unwholesome talk.” It is in the casualness of our words that we transform the profound into the profane. We see none of that in the words offered by Jesus at the seaside early that morning. I even imagine that it was early on the morning of the first day of the week. Such imagery for me provides a profound impact of what Jesus was doing with Peter and for Peter, and the others by default, as He put the last stones together for “building up the Church” and then instilling it with the Holy Spirit of God ten days later on Pentecost.

So, no profane, unwholesome or discouraging talk happened that morning between Jesus and the disciples. Standing on a rise overlooking the Sea of Galilee, Jesus saw the eight disciples “going through the motions” of fishing. Their heart was not in it. Even though they had seen Jesus, heard more of His teaching and fellowshipped with Him at table, they still were burdened with a sense of foreboding and incompleteness. It was as if they were waiting for the “other sandal to drop.” In spite of their lackluster efforts to fish evidenced by the lack of success in fishing, Jesus called out to them, “Have you any fish?” I have a feeling it wasn’t about their success or failure that Jesus inquired of them. No, I believe He had breakfast in mind. Nothing worse for a fisherman to report there was no catch and therefore no “food on the table.” Jesus was all about provision and building up. He not only healed the sinner but then urged them to take the same faith which afforded them healing and build up a successful life [Go and sin no more!] They responded with a choral “NO!” which lumbered across the waters with a heaviness that even the smallest stone lacking momentum would have fallen under the water. “Try the other side of the boat,” Jesus encouraged. “I believe you will find some there.” Hungry and feeling the ache of emptiness in their heart, mind, soul and stomach, they did not question the advice but followed it. As if the fish were waiting to jump in the boat, the net was immediately full to the point of capsizing the boat. At that John cried out, “It is the Lord!” At this Peter jumped out of the boat and nearly walked on the water to get to Jesus. He had been brought full circle from the moment of his first call to follow Jesus to the moment of remembrance.

After breakfast, which Jesus was already preparing for them on a brazier of coals, He took Peter aside. Three times He asked Peter, “Do you love me?” We accept this three-fold questioning as the cure for the three-fold denial. Three times Peter had said he was not associated with Jesus. Now, three times Peter would adamantly profess his love for Jesus. Out of the pit of despair, Peter was lifted up as when he had sunk beneath the waters and Jesus rescued him from drowning in the tempest. But we dare not forget the agenda which Jesus had for this reconciliation. It wasn’t merely about coaxing forgiveness and making Peter “feel better” about himself. Jesus did not leave Peter with responses of “I love you…more than these…more than anything…more than life itself.” Jesus affirmed Peter’s confession and profession of faith, hope and love with intentional actions, duties and responsibilities. He told Peter to “feed My lambs (those who would profess Jesus as Lord), care for My sheep (those who would become members of the community of faith in Jesus as the Christ) and feed My sheep (teach the followers of Christ the very basic lessons of life as he had learned from Jesus himself.)” Jesus was building Peter back up after Peter had deconstructed Himself. It was prophetic. It was impactful. It was loving. It met the real need and provided opportunities for others who were listening. It wasn’t about authoritativeness, ego stroking or making Peter feel good. It was about the mode, methodology and theology of Christ for the up and coming Church. It was about us; you and me and all who will believe that Jesus is the Christ even when we have denied him in word and works. This is the truth our “neighbors” need to hear and the way in which they will hear it best.

TODAY’S PRAYER IN RESPONSE TO GOD’S WORD:

Father, before we were conceived in the womb, You had already formed us in Your love and by Your Spirit spoke us into being. Each one of us is blessed with the opportunity of doing right, being good and producing the fruit of the Spirit so that others may be fed the truth of that same love so that the two will become one. It is our soul’s sincere desire to embrace the oneness You have in mind that we would know that we are Your people and that You are our God. Lead us in that discovery of the truth and the manifestation of that love for us all. In Jesus’ name, we pray. AMEN.