What Does It Mean to Move Forward?

“I can’t do that now because I’ve been baptized!”

This was a statement made by a young man in one of my previous appointments.  He had been baptized after going through confirmation in our church as a 6^th grader.  Some boys were getting into mischief and although he was tempted, he allowed this statement to be the direction with which his life would go.  And least for this instance!

Many times, I hear people saying, “Don’t talk like that, you’re in church!”  Or they may refrain from speaking ill of someone on church grounds.  This refers to the idea that certain behavior is not allowable on sacred ground.  We have an idea that God would not approve.    

As we mature in our faith, we realize that when we come to certain spiritual awakenings, we must change the way that we do things if we are to have any integrity at all.  So that while the comment on baptism may remain valid, the idea that church grounds hold any special sway over our behavior becomes inconsistent because we understand that if it is wrong in church, it is wrong everywhere else too.

Fishing on the boat was a little different
for the disciples.

This Sunday’s Gospel reading is John 21:1-14.  This is a resurrection appearance of Jesus but the disciples have difficulty recognizing him.  Could it be because they have gone back to their previous line of work?  When they decide to go fishing, this doesn’t seem to be in the same recreational way that many people undertake to relax or enjoy the outdoors.  With the nets involved, it seems that they are taking up their commercial enterprise once more.  It is almost as if they never encountered Jesus.

Except that they did.

Would it have seemed like they were caught doing something they shouldn’t?  Peter can’t wait for the boat to get to shore but jumps into the water and swims to meet Jesus.  Maybe he imagines the unspoken question from Jesus, "Peter, what are you doing?"  Jesus definitely seems unexpected!  

How does the resurrection interrupt our lives?  How does it keep us from going back to business as usual?

This will be our focus in worship on Sunday at First UnitedMethodist Church of Edmond.  Catch our livestream at 11 am or join us in the sanctuary at 8:30 or 11 am or in Wesley Hall for Worship on Hurd at 10:50 am. 

In Christ,

Sam

Photo by Bureau of Land Management Oregon and Washington via Flickr.com, used under the Creative Commons license.