The readings for Easter 3 are taken from Acts 9:1-22; Revelation 5:1-14; and John 21:1-19.
The reading from Acts records how God changed the Pharisee Saul, who fought against the church, to the apostle Paul, who fought for the church. Why did people persecute Jesus? Why was John in exile on the island of Patmos when he received Revelation? Why, above all, was Jesus persecuted to crucifixion, death, and burial? All because the corruption of Adam makes us want to take from others. Such a selfish, self-serving nature is never able to tolerate the love of God freely giving life and restoring life. Saul’s question is also a good one: “Who are You, Lord?” This is Jesus (“Salvation is of the Lord”) who saves us first (and above all) from ourselves. The truth of God that Saul confronted on the road to Damascus made way for the grace of God to make Paul a powerful and enduring witness to the person and work of Jesus.
The Revelation to John includes this reflection on the unique nature of Jesus, who alone is worthy to open the scroll. This has to do with revealing God’s Word and will to us. The Revelation to John emphasizes often that the redeeming work of Jesus was accomplished for every person of every time and place—even (or especially?) people like Saul, the onetime enemy of Jesus.
John records how the apostles were slow to believe that Jesus had risen from the dead, just like He said He would, even after two Sunday evening appearances to them. Now the apostles have drifted back north to Galilee and back to their old work of catching fish. But Jesus said that they would be fishing for people, so it is no surprise that all through the darkness of night they caught nothing. Jesus appears to them where the land meets the sea at the dawning of the sun to restore them to their work as apostles. But the apostolic work will bring persecution, which they must be fortified to meet; they must know that Jesus has and remains risen from the dead and so all His words and promises are true, powerful, and enduring. The mark of a faithful servant of Jesus is that he steadfastly feed God’s sheep (that is, to keep them in His Word—see Psalm 23; Deut. 6:4ff; John 8:31ff; John 10; 15).