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 REVIEWING THE STORY
Setting-The Sea of Tiberius (Galilee)
Context-The disciples may be reconsidering about re-upping for another tour of duty as
disciples; fishing is a return to the familiar way of life; the past;
Plot-
- beginning-have the disciples quit? Have they had enough? They seem to return to their
former profession; to draw back to the safety net of catching fish; they are professionals
at this trade.
- the professionals-the very thing that they do well-turn up with nothing for all their
night’s efforts. Zip. Zilch. Goose eggs.
- instructions from a stranger turns the tide-"Cast the net on the right
side;" that done, they harvest the catch of the year.
- illumination-"it is the Lord!"
- invitation-the stranger invites the disciples for breakfast on the beach; no one asks
the identity, though their hearts tell them that "it is the Lord."
- conversations-Heart of the story; after breakfast beach talk between Jesus and Peter;
moves in the direction of calling and career; the controlling image of the story is the
catch of fish. The one-sided purpose of the conversation keeps looping around to
"Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?"
- conversion-Peter responds positively to Jesus’ question about love and loyalty.
"Yes, Lord, you know that I love you . . . you know all things." "Follow
me."
 In this story, Jesus provides fish and bread for breakfast. In the
same warm, companionable way, Jesus is with you now, asking, ‘Do you love me?’
How will you respond? Whether it is an honest ‘no,’ a ‘give me a bit more
time,’ or an unequivocal ‘yes,’ Jesus wants to share his gifts of
nourishment and life with you.
This story encourages us to offer care for others with the same kind of love that
we see Jesus showing in the story. Go out in the name of Jesus with a specific act or word
of love. [1]
 We have a homily based on this passage in our DPS archives for your review.
Consider preaching a narrative-style sermon on this gospel lesson. That is, retell the
story in John 21, but stopping at critical points to wonder about the why, how, and
purposes behind certain actions or words. The form might be described as ancient
text-modern world-ancient word-fresh word for modern world.
Another possibility would be what Paul Scott Wilson calls, "the four pages"
model. In this format, begin with "trouble in the text." [2] (That
shouldn’t be too hard to do!) Then move to trouble in our world; the fourth shift is
"God acts in the biblical story;" and the fourth movement would be "God
acts in our world."
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[1] Spiritual Formation Bible (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1999), page 1431.
[2] Paul Scott Wilson, The Four Pages of the Sermon (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1999),
chps 4, 5, 6, and 8.
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