04/05/2026
The thought of preaching a message on Easter is not as easy as one might think.
Let’s start at the beginning.
Why do we celebrate Easter, or Resurrection Sunday?
On the surface, that seems simple. Most believers understand that we celebrate the fact that Jesus died on the cross and rose three days later.
But maybe we should dig a little deeper.
Why did He die?
Because everything comes down to that question.
Sin entered the world through one man. And through one Man, Jesus, death was overcome. The debt was paid so that we could have salvation. So that we could have eternal life with God.
When you truly understand the weight Jesus carried that day on the cross, after being beaten and humiliated, you begin to understand the depth of His death.
And the reason He rose three days later is because He defeated death.
Here is something interesting. Lazarus was raised from the dead. But when Lazarus came out of the tomb, they were told to unwrap him because he was still in his burial linens.
With Jesus, the burial cloths were folded neatly in the tomb. Jesus was not revived. He resurrected. He rose into new life.
Three days later, salvation stood alive.
But I want to step back for a moment, before the crucifixion.
In Luke 22:31, Jesus says, “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
Peter responds, “Lord, I am ready to go with You both to prison and to death.”
And Jesus tells him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.”
That moment has always struck me.
“Satan has desired to have you, but I have prayed for you.”
I believe that same truth applies to us. Scripture tells us the enemy prowls like a lion, looking for someone to devour. But here Jesus says, Satan wants you, but I have prayed for you.
Think about that.
Jesus praying for Peter. Praying that his faith would not fail.
And yet, Jesus also tells him that before morning comes, he will deny Him.
Fast forward to John 21.
This is after the resurrection. Jesus has already appeared to the disciples, even appearing again eight days later when Thomas was present. Some time passes, and the disciples decide to go fishing.
Most of them were fishermen. That is what they knew. Jesus had once told them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
But now they are waiting. Waiting on direction. Waiting on purpose. So they return to what is familiar.
How many of us do the same? When we feel uncertain, we go back to what we know.
They fish all night and catch nothing.
In John 21, when morning comes, Jesus stands on the shore, though they do not recognize Him. He calls out, “Children, do you have any fish?”
They answer ‘no.’
He tells them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.”
They do, and suddenly they cannot haul in the net because of the great number of fish.
John recognizes Him first and says to Peter, “It is the Lord.”
Peter immediately throws on his outer garment and jumps into the water to swim toward Jesus. The others follow in the boat, dragging the full net behind them.
When they reach shore, they see a fire of burning coals with fish already cooking on it.
Now here is what strikes me.
The last time Peter stood near a fire of coals was in John 18, when he denied Jesus three times. He stood warming himself by that fire as he said, “I am not one of His disciples.” And then the rooster crowed.
Peter’s denial happened over a charcoal fire.
Now Jesus prepares breakfast over another charcoal fire.
That is not accidental.
After they eat, Jesus turns to Peter and asks, “Simon, do you love Me more than these?”
Peter says, “Yes, Lord. You know that I love You.”
Jesus replies, “Feed My lambs.”
He asks him a second time. “Simon, do you love Me?”
Peter answers again, “Yes, Lord. You know that I love You.”
Jesus says, “Feed My sheep.”
Then a third time, Jesus asks, “Simon, do you love Me?”
Peter is grieved because Jesus asks him a third time. He says, “Lord, You know all things. You know that I love You.”
Jesus says, “Feed My sheep.”
Three denials. Three questions.
Over a fire.
The same Peter who was warned that Satan desired to sift him. The same Peter Jesus said He was praying for. The same Peter who failed.
And now Jesus restores him.
Jesus is not shaming him. He is redeeming him. He is bringing him back to purpose.
Remember what Jesus told him earlier: “I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
Now Jesus is commissioning him.
Do you love Me? Then feed My sheep.
In other words, your failure did not cancel your calling.
Your brokenness does not disqualify you from purpose.
So as you celebrate Resurrection Sunday, let this truth settle in your heart.
The death Jesus died paid the debt for sin.
The resurrection proves that death has no authority over Him.
And the restoration of Peter shows us that failure is not the end of our story.
Through His death, burial, and resurrection, Jesus brings us back into right standing with God.
No matter what has happened in your life.
No matter where you have stumbled.
God is still bringing you back to Himself.
He still has a plan for you.
He still has purpose for you.
And if you love Him and allow Him to lead you, He will take you into the next place He has prepared for you.
-Luke Sanchez
