Communion with the Risen Christ

John 21:1–14
05.04.25

 

Fruitless Night Turns into Fruitful Morning

Here is a parallel story. In Luke 5:1 11, Jesus got into Simon's boat to teach the crowds. After he finished speaking, He said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” They had already finished fishing and were washing their nets. Still, Simon replied, “Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.”

It had been a fruitless night—nothing gained, nothing earned, nothing to enjoy. Then a carpenter. a stranger, who taught Scripture and gave fishing advice to professional fishermen. But Simon had been touched by Jesus's words while listening to Him, even as he washed the nets. He obeyed Jesus' direction, letting go of his pride, experience, and knowledge. When he accepted and lived by Jesus’ word, they caught so many fish that their nets began to break.

Just a few minutes with Jesus was worth more than a whole night without Him. One moment with Jesus was better than an entire life without Him. One effort with Jesus in the right place was more fruitful than countless efforts in the wrong place. When Peter saw the miraculous catch, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” But Jesus said to him, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.” James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were there too. Ironically, right after catching the biggest haul of their lives, they left everything to follow Jesus (Luke 5:11). That was their first calling.

Fast forward to John 21:1-14, and we see a parallel—a spiritual déjà vu. Seven disciples were gathered. Peter said, “I’m going fishing,” and the others followed. Despite all their effort, including that of expert fishermen, they caught nothing. Then, at daybreak, a man stood on the shore and gently called, “Children, you have no fish, have you?” He already knew their frustration and disappointment.

He told them, “Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” As they obeyed, just like their first encounter with Jesus, they caught 153 fish. At that moment, John recognized Him: “It is the Lord!”

Jesus had told them He would meet them in Galilee after His resurrection. Peter, impulsive as always, jumped into the water, while the others brought in the boat, the fish, and the nets. On shore, Jesus had prepared a charcoal fire with bread and fish. The Risen Christ invited them, “Come and have breakfast.” Jesus took the bread and gave it to them, along with the fish.

This was their moment of recalling—a return to the call that began it all. At both their first calling and their recalling, fruitless nights were transformed into fruitful mornings through Jesus.

Have you ever felt like you've caught nothing despite your efforts? Are you in the middle of a fruitless night? Jesus still calls us today as His disciples. Even if you’ve had wonderful memories with Him in the past, perhaps you’re still struggling now. He wants to recall you. With the Risen Christ, our fruitless nights can become fruitful mornings. Sometimes we feel we are stuck in Good Friday forever, but we live in Easter every day with the risen Christ!

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Remembrance – Past

Transformation begins with remembrance.

This breakfast communion with the Risen Christ opened their eyes and reminded them of previous meals with Him—the miraculous feeding of the 5,000, the Last Supper, and the evening meal with two disciples on the road to Emmaus.

Today, may God help us sense His prevenient grace—the grace that reaches us even before we are aware of it. May He help us remember how His unfailing love has filled our lives.

There’s a saying: “Life is a flower path walked in reverse.” When we look back, we often discover it was paved with God’s grace. As we believe this God’s grace, we have open communion for everyone.

When I was 12 years old, I asked God to prove Himself. Even though I had experienced God’s presence before, I doubted. After 5 or 6 hours of struggling in prayer, God helped me remember every miracle, every testimony, every moment with Him. I felt the Holy Spirit surge through every nerve and cell in my body. It was a remembrance!

During the Reformation, Martin Luther retained only two sacraments from the many Catholic traditions—Baptism and Holy Communion—because these were instituted by Jesus in Scripture. Jesus commanded us to baptize all nations (Matthew 28:19) and to remember Him through the bread and cup (Luke 22:19).

In the United Methodist Church, these sacraments are central. They are visible signs of God’s invisible grace. They proclaim that we are united with Christ and one another in the body of believers.

Communion is a remembrance of the past.

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Restoration – Present

I’m thankful for the many names of this holy meal:

• Sacrament (God’s pledge)
• Ordinance (our obedience)
• Eucharist (thanksgiving)
• The Lord’s Supper (unity in Christ’s body)
• Holy Communion (relationship with God and each other)

Amid division and sorrow, Communion reminds us we are one in Christ.

Theologian Timothy C. Tennent compares baptism to a cleansing bath and communion to a sustaining meal. In baptism, we are claimed. In communion, we are nourished. Baptism is once a lifetime, but we have a duty of constant communion (John Wesley’s sermon).  

Through Communion, God restores our identity, gratitude, relationship with Him, and relationships with others.

Communion is a restoration of our present.

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Reinstatement – Future

John 21:14 says, “This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.”

According to the Gospel of John:

1. First Appearance – John 20:19-23: Jesus appears in a locked room on the evening of Resurrection Day.
2. Second Appearance – John 20:26-29: A week later, He appears again, this time with Thomas present.
3. Third Appearance – John 21:1-14: By the Sea of Tiberias.

(Note: These refer to appearances to the group, not individuals like Mary Magdalene.)

In the first appearance, Jesus said, “As the Father has sent me, so I send you. Receive the Holy Spirit” (John 20:21–22). In the third, after breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter three times: John 21:15–19
“Simon, son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” “Feed my lambs.”
“Do you love me?” “Yes, Lord.” “Tend my sheep.”
“Do you love me?” “Lord, you know everything…” “Feed my sheep.”

Then He foretold Peter’s future suffering and called him again: “Follow me.”

Through this breakfast communion, Jesus reinstated Simon Peter, giving him a renewed mission as a disciple. Later in Acts, we see that same Peter preaching a sermon where 3,000 people came to faith in one day—empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Communion is reinstatement for the future.

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From an Empty Table to a Love Feast – Sandra’s Story

Communion is remembrance of the past, restoration of the present, and reinstatement for the future. It reminds us that we are Christ’s disciples. But how can we live as His disciples?

At Oxford, John Wesley formed the “Holy Club” where he and others devoted themselves to Scripture, prayer, charity, and most of all, regular Communion. In addition to formal sacraments, they often held Love Feasts or Agape Meals—gatherings that included thanksgiving, prayer, fellowship, and sharing the Word.

As Methodists, we celebrate Communion on the first Sunday of every month. Sometimes, we may feel guilty that we are reading the same words in a routine way. But never forget: Communion has the power to transform an empty table into a Love Feast.

I want to share the story of Sandra, who has lived as a disciple of Jesus for over 80 years in our church. We can see how God transformed the Empty Table into a Love Feast.

Her life is marked by hard work, faith, and family. At 34, she became a widow with four children. As a working mother, she gave thanks not only for prayers but also for the hands and hearts that walked with her. She’s returned that love by serving family, neighbors, and the church with all her heart. Many people from other churches know her as a cookie lady. Whether it’s a funeral, hospital visit, or family gathering—no matter how tired she is—she offers food, helps with laundry, and does whatever she can.

Sandra's life, like Jesus’ incarnation and presence at the table, is filled with grace.

May we have communion with the risen Christ today. Communion is remembrance of the past, restoration of the present, and reinstatement for the future. It helps us to live as Christ’s disciples. Let us close with her favorite hymn, "Amazing Grace(verse 1)" (Sandra’s favorite song), offered as our Unison Prayer.