For the third Sunday of Easter the three readings are Acts 9:1-22: Revelation 5:1-14 and John 21:1-19. The verse selected to preach on is John 21:7b, “Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea.”

This event takes place after the resurrection of our Lord when Peter had seen Jesus in the upper room on that Easter eve. This event takes place later. What is interesting is to compare what Peter did here after the multitude of fish was caught and what he did during the first miracle of the multitude of fish caught. That is found in the 5th chapter of Luke, verses 1 to 9 with special reference to verse 8. “When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, ‘Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.’”

Do you see the difference in the response Peter makes prior to the resurrection and after? It is a Law and Gospel distinction. When Peter first sees a miracle of fish being caught, he is a lot like Isaiah in the sixth chapter in which he moans that “Woe is me, for I am a man of unclean lips.” When you live under the Law there is a fear of coming face to face with God. Likewise, Peter’s second response after the resurrection is much like Isaiah’s after the angel touches his lips with a burning coal from the altar. When God asks who will go for Him, Isaiah responds, “Send me, send me.”

Under the Law fallen human beings recognize their unworthiness to come before God. But when an angel touches lips or the Lord says on the night of the resurrection, “Peace be to you,” there is a recognition through faith that even sinners are now able to approach God. This difference in Peter can be very helpful to members of the congregation who still feel that their sins are so great that they cannot approach the throne of God, even in prayer. It is a wonderful opportunity for the pastor to comfort and console through the proper distinctions between Law and Gospel.