Props and visuals: fishing boat / fishing net / tablecloth and stick / backpack / diaper bag / purse or satchel
You know how some dreams won’t let go of you? Sometimes God has a message for you, and speaks in this “forgotten language” of dreams. Sometimes God needs to prepare you for something that’s hard for you to hear.
In our scripture story today as told in the Acts of the Apostles, God was preparing Peter for his visit with Cornelius. And for something even greater!
But as everything goes with Peter, it would take a while to sink in. (Pardon the pun).
Peter had been a fisherman all of his life. And so, the metaphor Jesus used to help Peter understand mission and evangelism was one he could well understand –his fishing net. “You will be fishers of men, he said to Peter and the others on the lake as he called them to ministry.*
What did that mean?
Let’s look at how the fishing net was used in Peter’s industry. The net was a tool of the commercial fishing industry. Peter wasn’t just a weekend fisherman. Fishing wasn’t his hobby. It was his livelihood. He and his fellow fishermen worked on a large wooden fishing rig, something like this one**:
Over the side would be attached a large net to load in the catch of the day, such as this one of a catfish catch in Mississippi from National Geographic***:
The net would be cast over the side (it would take several men to do it), and the catch would be caught in the net and then hauled back into the boat. Once at dock, the fish would be sorted, prepped, and then sold.
In John’s tale, 153 kinds of fish were hauled on board. The net is not discerning. It doesn’t just catch one kind of fish. But the fishermen needed to be prepared to deal with (sell, eat, use) whatever came into their nets.
It was a valuable lesson for Peter. Jesus reminded him of what he needed to do, of who he needed to be, in order to carry out Jesus’ mission in the world. He would not be just a teacher of the Jews. He would not just be a speaker to those who already knew Jesus. He would not be merely a leader of a community. He was to be a “light” to the Gentiles. He was to feed ALL of Jesus’ sheep, who needed to be brought into the fold. For this, he would need to cast his net undiscerningly, indiscriminatingly into the world, and learn how to guide even those he may not recognize as being like himself.
The fishing net was a wake-up call, a kind of “lightbulb” moment for Peter, a trigger if you will, to remind him of the things he had forgotten, the people he might have ignored if left to his own devices.
In fact, in our scripture story today, Peter and the other disciples (also fishermen) had gone back to commercial fishing. They thought the mission was over after Jesus had died. Jesus had to “re-call” Peter along with the others, or rather have Peter “recall” what it meant to be a disciple of Jesus. He needed to review with him, so that he could re-view Jesus’ ministry to people in the proper light. If Peter got it, Jesus knew, the others would follow.
So it is any wonder that when Peter needs a reminder again, God sends a very unusual vision –a large “sheet-like” “net-like” vessel with all kinds of animals in it, lowered by four corners. Sound familiar?
Hint: the English translation of sheet misleads us a bit astray. The term in Greek can mean various kinds of vessels that hold a “cache of things.” But frequently the word refers to nautical vessels. Skeuos (in Greek) is a vessel containing tackle, the wooden floor of the boat itself, an anchor, a sail, a “catch” of fish, a “draw,” fishing gear, a fishing “net!”
This is Peter we’re talking about. Peter, the fisherman. When God wants to get his attention, he doesn’t send a bedsheet people! He sends a fishing net! Maybe the sail used as a net! Or a wooden boat-like vessel. Probably it looked like a net!
And ding, ding!! Peter’s memory is triggered!
Because that’s what metaphors do. A good metaphor will trigger all of the meaning and memory that goes with it! And what does it trigger for Peter?
“You are a fisher of people!” –ALL people! Said Jesus.
“Feed my sheep!” --ALL my sheep! Said Jesus.
You know what you need to do Peter! Think! Remember! Says Jesus.
Cause we know that Peter often just doesn’t get it! He is the most strong willed of all the disciples! And down deep he doesn’t want to get it! He likes things the way they are. He’s comfortable with the way he’s been brought up!
Peter is devoutly Jewish. He has been taught not to cavort with gentiles, not to associate or in any way consort with them. It’s been drilled into him from the time he was young. And so, Jesus uses a metaphor to remind Peter that Jesus’ mission is for ALL people, even the gentiles (that is, anyone not properly Jewish).
And Peter needs LOTS of reminding!
It’s not about the food! It’s not literally about eating pork in addition to lamb, any more than Peter’s catch of fish was about choosing tilapia over trout or herring.
Jesus is using a metaphor, a powerful one, that Peter can understand, to help him see what it means to “feed my sheep!” ALL my sheep!
From there, Peter goes to see Cornelius, and his vision, his outlook, his view on things has changed.
It’s hard to change those deeply embedded biases. Isn’t it?
We all have them. We’ve all been brought up in ways of thinking and acting that become challenged by the world in which we now live.
Some of us were raised in very strict, moral, or literal traditions that challenge our ways today of seeing scripture, seeing our neighbors, seeing the world, our families, and the church.
Some of us come into this community with scars that are difficult to heal. Some have lost trust in pastors or church ministers. Many have lost touch, or lost hope, or lost respect for the church due to experiences they had when they were young, or even quite recently.
Some of us were raised with a lot of “do’s” and “don’ts” that make it hard for us to break from living out of a code of rules and instead to follow the person of Jesus with all of the uncertainty, fuzziness, and vagueness that this sometimes provides.
Some of us were raised to believe that we should shield ourselves from the world –to block others out for fear we may be wrongly “influenced” by forces beyond our control. We’ve put into place “securities” and “locks” instead of stepping out with faith in the power and protection of Jesus.
Some of us were raised to believe lots of things about the church --that the church is a sanctuary for people to hide behind, or it’s a place to mingle with like-minded friends, or a place in which to create traditions that you never want to break, or a place where you can direct your own posse or control your own corner, a place where you “own” a piece of special pie, rule your own committee, belong to a family, fit into a kitchen group of ladies. And some of those things are nice.
But Jesus comes to challenge all of those things too --all of our preconceived notions about what the church is, who Jesus is, and who we need to be when we say we follow Jesus.
And like Peter, we all need a metaphor to remind us to turn our attention back to Jesus. For some of us, maybe the fishing metaphor will do. But I’m guessing that not many of us are commercial fishermen and women today!
So, I ask you today, what is YOUR metaphor? What source metaphor has God spoken into your life to steer you back on course? To remind you what’s truly important? To keep you on Jesus’ mission?
For those who are married, your metaphor may be a ring –that never-ending circle that binds you both together and at the same time binds you to God. For those of you who wear a cross, perhaps when you touch it, it reminds you that Jesus is with you, in His sacrifice and His resurrection, every single day.
I’d like to give you another metaphor today to think about.
[Take out a purse, or rucksack, or backpack, or diaper bag, depending upon your congregation.]
Ladies, you can probably relate to this purse or this diaper bag the best. Men, perhaps your wallet or your pockets, or your backpack or your sports bag or your brief case might do the trick.
Men, I’m going to focus on the women for a moment, because most of them will have a purse with them this morning. But men, the same goes for your pockets.
Now, I know that ladies’ purses have some very interesting things in them. You never want to even look into a lady’s purse, because you never know what you may find there, right? Right?
And I’ll bet ladies, if you looked right now, you’d find not only things that belong to you, but some things in your purses that belong to others as well. Right? Maybe you have a toy that belongs to your child in there. Or maybe you are carrying your husband’s wallet for him. Or maybe you threw the baby’s bottle in there. Or maybe that’s where this church bulletin will go when you leave today.
You carry with you at any given time, not only things of yours, but things of others as well –others for whom you bear a responsibility to care and carry.
Does anyone also have business cards that others have given you? A gift perhaps that someone has given you? A menu from breakfast? A ticket from the theatre?
You carry with you bits and pieces of many lives that yours has touched. In a sense, everyone you come in contact with, you put into contact with Jesus. Everyone you touch will also have an experience of Jesus. Because wherever a follower of Jesus goes, Jesus goes with you. And when you exchange a token or a gift with someone in the name of Jesus, you and they carry not only a bit of you with them, and they with you, but Jesus is there too.
When Peter went to visit Cornelius, he didn’t know exactly why he was going. Only when he got there did he realize what he was called to do.
This week, I challenge you to fill your purses, your pockets, your backpacks, your lives with new relationships, perhaps ones that you never would normally have in your purses or your pockets.
Meet that person in the parking lot who has come to attend the AA meeting this week and give them an invitation and a bulletin. Talk to that family attending your movie night and exchange phone numbers, keeping their number with you so you can pray for them all week. Say hi to the person in the convenience store, and take his or her business card. Pay for the coffee of the person behind you in the Starbucks line and leave a napkin with a smile.
Remember those smiles, those memories, those people when you come here to worship. For every person you keep in your mind, your heart, your memory, your purse or pocket, you can pray for, and hope for.
And whenever you’re tempted by the notion that church ends today at noon and begins again next week, open up your purse, empty out your pockets. Whose lives have you touched this week? Who has Jesus met with you today?
Peter needed frequent reminders to keep him on track. Don’t we all?
Your mission for God is sometimes not about whom you go TO on your journey, but who goes WITH you in your journey.
May your metaphors light your way, so that Jesus, through you, may light the ways of others!
*See Matthew 4:18-22; Mark 1:16-20; and Luke 5:2-11; now John 21.
**Replica of a first century fishing boat from Jesus’ time at the Sea of Galilee.
***National Geographic Magazine online. “Can the Blue Revolution Solve the World’s Food Puzzle?”
Based on the Story Lectionary
Major Text
Jesus’ Seaside Appearance and the Reinstatement of Peter (John 21)
The Story of Peter’s Conversion of the Gentiles (Acts 10)
Minor Text
Moses Commissions Joshua to Succeed Him (Numbers 27:12-23)
The Story of Samson (Judges 16)
The Passing of the Mantle from Elijah to Elisha (1 Kings 19 and 2 Kings 2)
The Book of Jonah (Including the Song of Jonah)
Psalm 51: Create in Me a Pure Heart and Renew Me with Your Spirit
Psalm 139: Where Can I Go from Your Spirit?
Paul’s Thorn (2 Corinthians 12:1-10)
Jesus’ Seaside Post-Resurrection Appearance and the Reinstatement of Peter
Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee.
It happened this way: Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together.
“I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.”
So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.
He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”
“No,” they answered.
He said, “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.
Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!”
As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.
The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.
Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.”
So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn.
Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.”
None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord.
Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
Again, Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?”
He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”
Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”)
When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”
Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”
This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.
Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.
Peter and the Gentiles
At Caesarea, there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.
One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!”
Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked.
The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea.”
When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants. He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa.
About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance.
He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds.
Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”
“Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”
The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”
This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.
While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate. They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there.
While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you. So, get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.”
Peter went down and said to the men, “I’m the one you’re looking for. Why have you come?”
The men replied, “We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to ask you to come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say.”
Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests.
The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the believers from Joppa went along. The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends.
As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence.
But Peter made him get up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.”
While talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean. So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?”
Cornelius answered: “Three days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me and said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.’ So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.”
Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. “We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross, but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.
Then Peter said, “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.
Image Exegesis: That Linen Cloth
A linen cloth called the shroud of Turin has made headlines again this Easter season with TV specials and articles giving the latest research on the controversial linen material some say lay over Jesus’ face. Whether or not the shroud is authentic however doesn’t hide the fact that the scriptures (both the Hebrew testament and the Christian testament) are filled with references to linen cloths. It’s a powerful metaphor.
A linen cloth washes Jesus’ disciples’ feet; a linen cloth in the form of a cloak or tallit was passed from Elijah to Elisha; clothes are changed when Jonah warns the Ninevites of coming destruction; a linen cloth is donned by Peter when he goes to meet the post-resurrection Jesus; Jesus’ seamless linen cloak is bargained for by Romans; a linen apron owned by Paul heals even when Paul isn’t present; a linen cloth serves as fishing net and as dream vessel in Peter’s experience.**
And there are many, many more.
“Feed my sheep!” Jesus instructs Peter in his post-resurrection appearance. What has Peter forgotten? He’s forgotten his metaphor.
A good metaphor covers what we forget, much as God’s love covers our sins and our imperfections. Peter’s metaphor is about fishing, because Peter is a fisherman.
The Greek word used in Acts 10 is skeuos. Like most Greek words, it has multiple uses and multiple meanings, some of which are nautical.
It’s unfortunate that most of our English translations of the scriptural story about Peter translate the term skeuos as a “sheet” attached at four corners. Most of picture a bed sheet or something to that nature. The second unfortunate event is that most of us focus literally on the animals in the “sheet,” wondering why God focuses on Peter’s food preferences.
None of these get to the crux of the metaphor. Peter, a fisherman is reminded of his “fishing net” experience (“you will be a fisher of men”) by Jesus, reminded of when he and his compatriots threw the fishing net over the edge of the boat (attached at four ends to the boat), and drew in a boatload of fish of ALL kinds (153 kinds in fact!). Peter, a fisherman, knows the language of “skeuos” as fishing language, meaning a net, or a sail, or even a vessel containing tackle. Knowing Peter’s prior experience, it’s probably most likened to the sail or net.
Peter, a fisherman, has been reminded once again of God’s directive to “feed Jesus sheep.” All of them! All kinds, all people, indiscriminately.
The metaphor of the linen cloth, or net, or sail have connections to other linen cloths in scripture, denoting service (as in the foot washing), and honor of commitment to covenant (as in the preparation for the wedding feast).
The question is, of what is the fabric of the soul made?
Perhaps one of the best definitions of the cloth/linen metaphor comes from Zechariah 3:3-5 as Joshua’s clothing is changed, so that he has “right of access.” In fact, “right of access” is probably a very good idea of what it means to be in covenant with God, what it means to wear the clothing of righteousness and thereby enter the “kingdom” of God. The term is relational. It has to do with the fabric of the soul. What “clothing” are you wearing? Christ crucified? Or clothing of your own making.
In Ninevah, Jonah is dismayed when the Ninevites repent and the king takes off his royal robes and puts on the clothing of sackcloth and ashes, the clothing of repentance. The cloak passed on by Elijah to Elisha gives him God’s power, the same as Jesus’ “tallit” has “healing in its wings.” It’s all important to “put on” the clothing of commitment, or covenant, of righteousness, of wedding and feast in order to “meet and greet” the Lord. Perhaps this is why Peter takes the time to put on his garment before standing before Jesus –a measure of respect.
As early as Exodus (19:10-14), people washed their garments, so that they would be ready for God’s presence on the third day. However, it’s not about the physical, literal rendering of clothing, as later the laws would require. It’s about the state of your spirit.
Loincloth, waistslip, tunic, cloak, sail, shroud, net, vessel, even Moses’ basket and a wooden ark –all metaphors for indicating the state of one’s soul in covenant (or outside of it in the case of Samson’s slip-up with 30 suits of clothing) with the Lord!
Sometimes the “right of access” into relationship with Jesus (and God) can be wondrous (as in the experience of the kingdom). Other times, that right will “lead you into places where you do not want to go,” as Jesus tells Peter. But this is the nature of commitment. Your “clothing” will determine your followship –your “net-work” if you will.
What does it mean to be (re)made new? If one remains true to the metaphor, it means, you “change your clothing.”
For Peter, it takes a bit of doing. As it does with all of us. Tenacity, stubbornness, strong will, tenacity –these are all valued qualities in a disciple. We see that throughout scriptural history. They are qualities that make Peter the “rock” of the church. But also the potential “stumbling block” of Jesus’ own ministry. It all depends on which “clothing” Peter puts on –which “view” his soul will take.
Peter needs “reminders.” Metaphors are the language of memory.
Peter’s net, Jesus’ linen cloth, the sail, the boat, especially the net –these remind Peter of all that it means to put on the “clothing” of a follower of Jesus –love, servanthood, baptism, covenant, loyalty, mission, righteousness, determination. And “right of access.” These allow Peter to bring the gospel to the “anthropoi” (to the people).
The fishing net / the drop cloth that Peter witnesses in Acts 10 is like a dream unwrapped as a serving tray –a net filled not this time with 153 kinds of fish, but many kinds of birds and animals. But the message is the same. And it’s not about the food!
It’s about who has “right of access” in covenant with God. Everyone! Everyone willing to walk with God in covenant relationship.
Peter needs to allow for others to “change their clothing” in service to Jesus. They too can have “right of access.” For a “change of clothing” in this scriptural metaphor means a metamorphosis of the soul.
What clothing are you wearing?
"Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." (Colossians 3:5-14)
When Paul’s handkerchiefs and aprons touched those who were sick, they were instantly healed, “covered” by the grace of God. Paul told them, “I bind you by Jesus.”
When we literalize the metaphors of scripture and take them at physical value only, we “moralize” God’s symbols of holiness. When our “prayer shawls” become our prayerful spirit filled with Christ, and our countenance beaming in relationship with Christ, we have gone far beyond rules and regulations, simple laws, and have stepped into “right of access” that only comes in relationship with God.
Even those who were Nazirites (John the Baptist, Samson, and others) did not deprive themselves in order to follow simple rules or rites of dress, but those rules were to serve a focus not on outward appearance but on being “adorned” with the Holy Spirit. When Samson’s oath was broken, and he killed 30 men for their clothes, the Spirit departed from him. Did God desert him? No! He deserted God!
But when the rules and guidelines themselves become the distraction that leads people away from God and God’s mission, they themselves become the idols that would leave one without the “clothing” of Christ.
When you literalize, you moralize.
As most good authors know, rules were made to be broken when in the service of something greater! Jesus knew this best of all!
Peter had lots of rules. You might even call him the OCD disciple, certainly the overbearing one. But he also had power to stay the course, and his heart was in love with Jesus. He just had to learn to let God finish his sentences.
We can do a lot in our churches, in our worship, in our lives that “seem” like following Jesus. But unless you are in “relationship” with Jesus, your clothing needs changing.
When you sing in the choir…..sing to the glory of God, or your song is just a distraction to your relationship with Jesus. When you lead worship, do it to the glory of God, or your worship noise just a hindrance to putting on your clothing of righteousness. When you pray, put on the clothing of Christ, so that you too will receive the “right of access” that you need to help Jesus bestow that gift upon others.
*For a more extensive exegesis into John’s story of Peter’s reinstatement as connected to Jonah and “the sign of Jonah,” see the image exegesis in “The Sign of Jonah,” in the Story Sermon section of www.preachthestory.com from April 13, 2015.
**For more on the meaning of the mantle / linen cloth / tallit, see the image exegesis in the Story Sermons for “Cloak of Power.”