A Children’s Sermon on John 21:1-19 — Easter 3

Preface for Pastors and Parents

Here’s a children’s sermon on John 21:1-19 for the 3rd Sunday of Easter in year C. As I said in my Monday Meditation on this passage some years ago, I really love this text. It is full of comedy and drama.

I do kind of wish the good old Lectionary Committee had divided the text a bit differently. 

• Verses 1-14 are one scene, but the assigned reading goes on through verses 15-19. 
• Verses 15-19 is the section I really want to focus on, but that scene continues beyond 19.
• Verses 20-23 are actually the same conversational scene as 15-19, but the lectionary leaves them out.

Oh well. The challenge in my children’s sermon on John 21:1-19 will be focusing in on one thing. 

A Children’s Sermon on John 21:1-19.

Good morning kids! I’m so glad to see you this morning. Thanks for coming up to hear the children’s sermon.

Today is the third Sunday in Easter. Back on Good Friday, Jesus died on a cross, but on Easter Sunday Jesus was alive again. It is such amazing good news that Jesus is alive that we keep celebrating Easter for seven whole weeks. 

Peter

When Jesus’ friends saw Jesus alive on Easter Sunday, they were so happy! But Peter was kind of sad.

When they saw Jesus a week after that, they were so happy again! But Peter was kind of sad.

They saw Jesus alive other times too. He would come by at the most surprising times. Always his friends were so happy. But always Peter was kind of sad, too.

On the Beach

One day Peter saw Jesus on the beach. They went for a walk together.

Jesus said “You look so sad, Peter.”

Peter looked out over the Sea of Galilee. He wouldn’t look Jesus in the eye.

Finally he said “Yeah, I really am. I just feel so bad about what happened.”

Jesus looked at him. His big brown eyes were all full of love, even though Peter wouldn’t look back,

“Why don’t you tell me all about it?” he said.

“Oh Jesus,” Peter said, his voice sort of choking up, “it’s what happened after we prayed in the garden. After our Last Supper together. Just before you died.”

“Okay,” said Jesus. “Go on.”

“Well,” said Peter, sniffling, “at dinner I was bragging in front of everybody about how much I loved you. I said even if everybody else turned their backs on you I never would.”

Then Peter stopped talking. He glanced at Jesus, but then he looked down at his own feet.

“I see,” said Jesus. “So what happened?”

“I didn’t do what I said,” Peter sputtered. “When they arrested you I was scared. I told people I didn’t even know you. Three times.”

“Yeah,” said Jesus, softly. “I know. Sounds like you feel really terrible.”

“I do!” Pete said. “Is there any way to make it okay again?”

A Question

“I bet there is,” Jesus said. “I want to ask you something.” 

“Okay,” said Peter, “what’s the question?”

“Do you love me?” Jesus asked.

“What do you mean?” Peter asked. “Of course I love you!”

“You know, Peter, there are lots of ways to love somebody.”

So they talked for a while about that. 

• Jesus asked if Peter loved him more than all the other disciples did. 
• He asked if Peter loved Jesus the way we are supposed to love God.
• And he asked if Peter really even loved Jesus like a friend.

“That hurts my feelings,” Peter said. “You know I love you like a friend.”

“Well,” said Jesus, “You were saying you felt bad about the night I got arrested. I thought you should start by being honest about how you feel.”

“Okay,” Peter said. “I do love you—but I don’t think I can be an Apostle any more. I think I should go back to fishing for a living.”

“Peter,” said Jesus, “If you still love me, I still have important things for you to do.”

Two Requests

“Oh I do, Jesus!” Peter said. “What do you want me to do?”

“Two things.” Jesus said. “First, I want you to feed my sheep.”

“Your sheep?” said Peter. “I’m more into fish, actually.”

“It’s a word picture, Peter,” Jesus said. “I mean I want you to take care of my people. My friends are like a flock of sheep—and soon there will be more and more of them. I want you to teach them about me and about the Kingdom of God. I want you to guide them and help them get along. I want you to keep them safe from trouble.”

“Oh, I see,” said Peter. “I’ll try. I’ll do my very best. What was the other thing?”

“I want you to follow me,” Jesus said.

“Isn’t that what you said three years ago?” asked Peter. “Back when you first found me and Andrew on our fishing boat?”

“Yes.” said Jesus. “And it’s still the main thing I want you to do. Follow me.”

They were both quiet for a minute while Peter thought about that. Then he spoke up.

“But Jesus, how can I follow you? You keep disappearing. Most of the time I don’t know where you are.”

“Yes,” Jesus said, “soon I’ll be going back to heaven to be with my father.”

“So how do I follow you when you’re gone?” asked Peter.

“I’ll always be with you, even if you can’t see me,” Jesus answered. “You need to stay close to me so you can follow where I lead you.”

Wondering 

I wonder if Peter felt better after he talked to Jesus?

I wonder if Jesus wants you and me to feed his sheep too?

I wonder how you might stay close enough to Jesus to follow him?

++++++++++++

You are, of course, free to use this children’s sermon, or adapt it as you find most useful. But, if you use it, please do one (or more!) of the following.

• You can let me know that you are using it, either in the comments below, or using the contact form above.
• You can put a little notice in your church bulletin that your children’s sermon is adapted from one published on GaryNealHansen.com.
• You can support my work over on Patreon. (Just $1 per month brings my children’s sermons straight to your inbox about two minutes after they go live. And every little bit keeps me going…)