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First Lesson: Acts 9: 1-6, (7-20) Responsive Reading: Psalm 30 Second Lesson: Revelation 5: 11-14 Gospel Lesson: John 21: 1-19 Grace and Peace from Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
“The true character of society is revealed in how it treats its children.”- Nelson Mandela “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make straight your paths.”- Proverbs 3:5-6 Today we gather to celebrate the Confirmation of Hunter Dow. We affirm the faith given in his baptism when he was just a baby. We celebrate the gifts that God has given Hunter to live out ministry within the world. With this in mind, let me begin with a few words about Hunter from some of those who know him best. William Kelley Football Coach Ward Kaiser[1]: Hunter is “Very personable, wants to do the right thing, very helpful to others and tries to set a good example.” Silver Bay FFA Advisor Leah Bott[2]: “Hunter processes unique qualities for a student his age, most notably his genuine care and concern for other students. He is a friend to everyone and goes out of his way to help others feel included and valued. Hunter has a strong work ethic and a positive attitude that will carry him far in all of his endeavors." Track Coach Rick Frericks[3]: “Hunter has made a great commitment to track. He is a hard worker and a wonderful teammate. He comes to each practice with unbridled enthusiasm. Hunter is a leader among the young men I coach. A real pleasure to coach him.” Hunter, I’ve worked with you since you’ve been nine years old. We’ve gotten jacked in the weight room together. I’ve watched you run track where I’ve had fans of other schools who don’t know you; comment to me“that kid “from Silver Bay” never gives up when running the eight hundred. I’ve seen how deeply you care about your family and want to do well in their eyes. I remember why we’re never going to play toilet plunger vs. toilet brush hockey again at Confirmation. But as I let your Mom know a few weeks back: “I cannot say enough good about the type of young man that you are becoming.” As we reflect upon the meaning of Hunter’s confirmation, we hear the words of our Gospel lesson[4]. John 21 is the third Post-Resurrection appearance of Jesus within John’s Gospel. Last week, Jesus appeared to Thomas only a week after his death[5]. Now Today’s lesson takes place at some point in the forty days between Jesus’ resurrection and ascension into heaven[6]. Here’s the context for our lesson. The Disciples go out fishing, they fish the whole night long and catch absolutely nothing. Morning comes, an unidentified stranger is standing along the shore who calls out to the Disciples: “Friends, haven’t you (caught) any fish[7]?” The Disciples thinking this fellow merely wanted a report on the fishing conditions respond: “No[8].” The unidentified man gives them advice: “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.[9]” Jesus’ disciple Peter immediately knew what such a miraculous catch of fish meant. A similar episode took place earlier in Jesus ministry when he was recruiting his first disciples. Peter put his net down and “ (he) had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break[10].” Peter gets so excited to see the post-Resurrection Lord again that he shouts out “It is the Lord[11].” Peter jumps out of his boat (not thinking things through) and swims all the way to shore with the rest of the Disciples following. So what happens when the Disciples and Jesus reunite upon the shore for possibly the last time? Was Jesus going to perform another miracle? Was Jesus going to make some really, profound never heard before point about the Kingdom of God[12]? No Jesus does something much more straightforward. Jesus instead invites the Disciples to breakfast. Jesus cooks them up fish and bread[13]. Jesus earlier in his ministry had performed the unbelievable miracle of feeding 5000 people with five loaves and two fish. Now in his last meal with the Disciples, Jesus manages to feed seven people with 153 fish.[14] Jesus does these actions as he’s getting ready to leave this world behind and task the Disciples with the work of carrying out his ministry. Jesus is making a point though to not only them but also Hunter and ultimately ourselves. Jesus is seeking to show the disciples the meaning of the ordinary. Moses was merely tending to sheep on a mountainside when God spoke to him in a burning bush[15]. Jesus for his last encounter with the Disciples cooks them breakfast. What our lesson reminds us is that God’s callings are not confined to stain-glassed buildings. God is reminding us that he is found in the halls of the school, God is located in the monotony of track practice; God is found when driving younger classmates around. Today as we reflect on Hunter’s upcoming ministry in the world. We see God is calling to more than just acolyting or attending Wednesday evening Confirmation class. The Church is bigger than any one building, the calling placed upon Hunter this morning is to be the Church in the world around him. Be the Church as a brother, son, teammate, student, employee, and in the future possibly husband, and father. The thing is to note is Christian callings do not always promise to be easy. Right after I got done with Seminary, to earn some money, I went to work as a substitute teacher. My first day was going to be at one of the middle schools in Forest Lake where I knew zero kids, and my previous experiences with middle schoolers as a Junior High camp counselor were difficult at best. Faith will often put in us in uncomfortable situations. I remember one of my first few days teaching, losing my “cool” during a last hour class which I was struggling to keep on task. I remember another day, not long after that when showing a movie in class “kids started throwing rice, in the windowless room.” I probably wanted to quit after this. I thought that surely God could call someone else for a task such as this one. I’d was hoping ministry would merely be reading something written by Martin Luther. I eventually came to learn about working with youth to always “expect the unexpected.” Try to be a positive presence for good no matter the circumstances. I’ve never lost sight that I wasn’t the best student or the best-behaved kid growing up. I will never forget the teachers, adults, or even older students who showed me grace at the moments when I didn’t deserve it. It is all these moments from getting in trouble as a youth to substitute teaching that led me to this place on this day. Hunter, you are about to enter into a new chapter of your Christian calling. It was much the same way with Jesus’ disciples as he prepared to leave the Earth behind in our lesson. Their four years of Confirmation would soon be over. Jesus would soon ascend into heaven. The Disciples were going to be tasked with figuring out the tough church stuff on their own. Let me close this morning with Jesus final’ instruction to the Disciples: “Take care of my sheep[16].” “Feed my sheep.[17]” Hunter, you are no longer considered a child in the eyes of this church. You are now tasked with helping to bring up the children of not only this church, but ultimately this world. A few years back, our Little Fishes met right before Confirmation. Hunter would show up early, play, and have fun with them. These kids were drawn to Hunter to the point where other adults would comment on it. Hunter the tasks to “Take care of my sheep” will be uncomfortable at times. You will be called to show kindness and patience to kids who are socially awkward, off-task, and might only seem to make your life more difficult at that very moment. We don’t celebrate on this day what you are as impressive as your accomplishments like making the A Honor Roll may be. We celebrate the faith sustained from your baptism. We celebrate the paths of ministry that Our Lord will call you down in the days ahead. We promise as a congregation to be the place where you receive the necessary words of God’s grace and forgiveness in the years ahead. Remember Our Gospel lesson, the nets in your life will burst with fish at those moments when you least expect it. Amen [1] 4-22 email. [2] 4-23 email. [3] 4-22 email. [4] John 21:1-19. [5] John 20:19-31. [6] Hoezee, Scott. “John 21:1-19.” Center for Excellence in Preaching. Calvin Seminary. Grand Rapids, MI. 4. Apr.2016. Web. Apr.23.2019. [7] John 21:5. [8] John 21:5. [9] John 21:6 [10] John 21:6. [11] John 21:7. [12] Hoezee, Scott. “John 21:1-19.” Center for Excellence in Preaching. [13] Hoezee, Scott. “John 21:1-19.” Center for Excellence in Preaching. [14] Hoezee, Scott. “John 21:1-19.” Center for Excellence in Preaching.” [15] Hoezee, Scott. “John 21:1-19.” Center for Excellence in Preaching. [16] John 21:16 [17] John 21:17 Comments are closed.
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