The Power of Three: Resurrection, Redemption, and Renewal

The Power of Three: Resurrection, Redemption, and Renewal

There's something captivating about the number three. From childhood tales to culinary trios, from musical ensembles to spiritual symbolism, the power of three permeates our culture and our faith. In Jewish tradition, three represents wholeness and completeness. This concept of threefold completion finds its way into one of the most profound narratives in Christian scripture: the resurrection story.

The resurrection narrative unfolds in two parts, each revealing a different facet of Christ's appearance to His disciples. The first part brings the extraordinary into the ordinary, much like spotting a celebrity in a mundane setting. We've all experienced those surreal moments – perhaps seeing a famous figure waiting for a taxi or browsing library shelves. These encounters, while exciting, often leave our daily lives unchanged.

Similarly, Jesus' initial appearances to His disciples in Jerusalem, behind locked doors, were both extraordinary and fleeting. These encounters left an indelible mark, bestowing the Holy Spirit and providing Thomas the tactile proof he sought. Yet, the world at large remained unchanged. Rome still ruled, and the disciples found themselves returning to their familiar lives in Galilee, casting nets into the Sea of Tiberias as if nothing miraculous had occurred.

It's in this setting of normalcy that the extraordinary once again breaks through. A stranger on the shore calls out, "Friends, haven't you any fish?" When the disciples reply in the negative, He advises them to cast their nets on the right side of the boat. The resulting abundance of fish triggers a memory, echoing a similar miracle recounted in Luke 5. In that earlier instance, Jesus had instructed Simon Peter to cast his nets into deep water, resulting in a catch so bountiful it nearly sank two boats.

This déjà vu moment sparks recognition. "It is the Lord," exclaims the beloved disciple. And true to his impulsive nature, Peter – the same disciple who once sliced off a high priest's ear – dons his outer garment out of respect and leaps into the water. It's a scene reminiscent of Forrest Gump joyfully diving off his boat to greet Lieutenant Dan, filled with the same exuberance and disregard for practicality.

As the disciples join Jesus on the shore, they find Him tending a fire, cooking fish and bread. It's a poignant callback to His miracle of feeding the five thousand in the same region. Even as Jesus offers them breakfast, the disciples maintain a cautious silence, not wanting to risk His disappearance. This marks the third appearance of the resurrected Christ, completing a triad of encounters that solidify His return.

The narrative then shifts to a profound dialogue between Jesus and Peter. Three times, Jesus asks Peter, "Do you love me?" It's a deliberate parallel to Peter's triple denial before the crucifixion, offering a chance for redemption. In the original Greek, there's a subtle wordplay between "agape" (God's unconditional love) and "phileo" (affectionate regard), though scholars debate its significance. What's clear is that Jesus meets Peter where he is, accepting his declaration of love in whatever form Peter can offer it.

With each affirmation of love, Jesus charges Peter with a new responsibility: "Feed my lambs," "Take care of my sheep," "Feed my sheep." It's a powerful reinstatement, bringing Peter fully back into the fold of discipleship. But it comes with a sobering prophecy. Jesus foretells Peter's martyrdom, explaining that in his old age, Peter will stretch out his hands and be led where he does not wish to go. Tradition holds that Peter was later crucified in Rome, choosing to be hung upside down out of a sense of unworthiness to die in the same manner as his Lord.

This stark reality – that following Christ can lead to persecution and even death – is not confined to ancient history. Even in the past century, figures like Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who stood against Nazi oppression, and Archbishop Oscar Romero, who advocated for the poor in El Salvador, paid the ultimate price for their faith. While not all believers are called to martyrdom, the call to "feed my lambs" still requires courage and strength.

So what does it mean for us, in our modern context, to be "resurrection people in a dead society"? How do we embody Christ's command to "follow me" and tend His flock? It requires us to examine our motivations. Are we driven by "agape" – God's selfless love – or by less noble intentions like self-righteousness or a desire for power?

Living out the gospel demands fortitude. It takes strength to share faith through words and actions without judgment. It takes courage to sit with others in their pain, to care for and protect the marginalized and disenfranchised. We often fall short of these ideals, our humanity getting in the way of our best intentions.

But here's where the power of three offers hope once more. The coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost – the third person of the Trinity – provides the strength and guidance we need to deepen our commitment. As we explore the myriad ways we can "feed Jesus' lambs," the Holy Spirit meets us where we are, empowering and directing our efforts.

This triune nature of God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – offers a complete picture of divine love and support. It reminds us that we are never alone in our journey of faith. Just as the resurrected Christ appeared three times to solidify His disciples' faith, the triune God continually reveals Himself to us, offering multiple chances for redemption, renewal, and recommitment.

As we reflect on this powerful narrative, let us consider how we can embody the threefold charge given to Peter. How can we feed Christ's lambs in our communities? How can we tend to His sheep – those who are already part of the flock but may need care and support? And how can we nourish His flock spiritually, offering the bread of life to a hungry world?

The power of three – in resurrection appearances, in Peter's redemption, and in the Trinity itself – reminds us of the completeness of God's plan for our lives. It challenges us to live fully as resurrection people, bearing witness to the transformative power of Christ's love in a world that desperately needs hope and renewal.

May we, like Peter, find the courage to leap into deep waters of faith, to affirm our love for Christ through action, and to feed His flock with compassion and grace. In doing so, we participate in the ongoing story of resurrection, allowing the power of three to work through us, bringing wholeness and completion to a fractured world.