Easter is upon us.
For many Americans, Easter means little more than bunnies, candy eggs, and Sunday brunch with the family. For those of faith, Easter is a day to dress up for church and celebrate Jesus rising from the dead. In short—for believers and unbelievers alike—Easter is associated with Sunday. But what does Easter tell us about our Monday? In other words, does Easter inform our work life?
The four gospels provide various accounts of what Christ did after his resurrection. In Matthew the risen Christ charges his disciples to “Go therefore and make disciples” (Matthew 28:19). This disciple-making charge is repeated in Mark’s post-resurrection addendum (Mark 16:9-20). In Luke, the risen Christ leads Bible studies, instructing his disciples in “all the Scriptures the things concerning himself” (Luke 24:27) so they can be “witnesses of these things” (Luke 24:48). These charges of witnessing to Christ to make disciples deserve our careful attention. But when it comes to the relationship between Easter and work, the most instructive post-resurrection account is found in the gospel of John.
“In other words, their first response to the risen Christ’s charge to be his witnesses was to go back to work.”
John’s resurrection of Jesus is found in chapter 20. At first blush, John is doing something very similar to Matthew and Mark. The risen Christ meets up with the disciples to commission them. He does so by sending his Spirit so that his mission from the Father can now be carried on through them.
The chapter ends with a conclusive statement that seems to put a bow on John’s Gospel (John 20:30-31). At this point, John’s account is a lot like the other accounts. But John is not finished. Chapter 21 adds a fascinating epilogue. It is in this passage that the risen Christ addresses what it will look like for his disciples to carry out their ongoing mission in the world; indeed, it speaks to what the resurrection and gift of the Holy Spirit mean for his followers at work.
After the resurrected Christ gave the disciples the Holy Spirit they decided to go fishing. Chapter 21 recounts: “Simon Peter said to them, ‘I am going fishing.’ They said to him, ‘We will go with you.’ They went out and got into the boat […]” (John 21:2-3). We must remember that fishing was not their hobby. Rather, fishing was how these disciples made their living. In other words, their first response to the risen Christ’s charge to be his witnesses was to go back to work.
“Jesus’s followers are most effective in their work when their focus is not fixated on their work per se, but on listening for Jesus’s voice and obeying Him when He speaks as they work. ”
Their first day back on the job was frustrating. John tells us they had been fishing all night and caught nothing. Apparently, being a disciple of Jesus does not remove the challenges of work. But the text does not stop there. A mysterious figure stands on the beach and charges them to cast their nets on the other side of the boat (John 21:6).
The disciples listen to this person and—sure enough—when they do, they find their nets so filled with fish that they are unable to haul the net into the boat (John 21:6). At this point Peter had déjà vu. This was not the first time he found such fruitfulness in his work (Luke 5:5-6). He recognizes “It is the Lord!” and jumps into the water to swim to Jesus. As he swam to shore the rest of the disciples also made their way to shore with the haul of fish dragging behind the boat.
On shore, Jesus had bread on hand and fish roasting on the fire. He invited the disciples to add the fruits of their work to the meal. (And as they retrieved their fish they were surprised to see their nets were not torn by this massive haul!) So, as the sun rose, the disciples joined Jesus on the beach—enjoying the fruit of their labor as they ate breakfast with the Risen Christ. A glorious morning indeed! But what is John wanting to communicate to us in telling us this story?
I believe John is offering this story to give us a picture of what it means to live as followers of the risen Christ at our work. John is letting us know that Jesus’s followers are most effective in their work when their focus is not fixated on their work per se, but on listening for Jesus’s voice and obeying Him when He speaks as they work. Indeed, that is when they will truly see the risen Christ at work in their work.
As we celebrate Easter let us remember that our discipleship to Jesus is poignantly demonstrated in our daily labors. As we work, may we listen for the voice of our risen Lord. For in hearing and responding to him in our work, we will find both fruitfulness and fellowship with our risen Lord.
He is risen indeed!
Robert Covolo is a Cultural Theologian and Author of Fashion Theology. He is also on staff here at the Center for Faith + Work Los Angeles, serving as our Director of Vocational Discipleship.