Scripture--John 19-John 21
Observation—I still love that the women were the first evangelists—but maybe that’s just me! But in this section, I love the picture of Jesus and the disciples on the beach. They spent a morning together. They cooked together, and then Jesus had finish things with Peter. One of the things I most appreciate that my mother has taught me is that when you’ve had a disagreement you end it with a conversation. I remember when I’d be in trouble or we would get mad at each other, we would still all have a ending conversation. It would be something like, “Emily, this is why you hurt me/disappointed me/got yourself in trouble. Since it did happen your punishment is _____. We will need to take the following steps to assure that it doesn’t happen any more. No matter what you do, I will always love you, I just need you to do better.” I imagined my mom and those conversations as Jesus asked, “Peter do you love me?” Just like Peter denied Jesus three times, Jesus now asked Peter to proclaim his love three times. But it was more than just saying the words that Peter loved him. Jesus asked him to show his love—to love his people (“sheep”).
Application—This always reminds me that if I say I love Jesus with my mouth, I must love him with my actions. I pray that we all can live up to the task!
Prayer—Jesus, we love you. Help us to feed your sheep, tend your lambs, and love your people as you love us. In thy name we pray—Amen!
Blessings!
Pastor Emily
3 comments:
I love so many things from this section... Jesus seeing his mother from the cross, and telling John to take care of her. Jesus showing up on the beach and breaking bread with the disciples another time.
But the last line of this book always gets me... John 21:25 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.
It reminds me of one of my favorite scripture verses in 2 Corinthians 2-6... You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. Such confidence we have through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
Jesus had done so many more things during his life than could be written down in all the books in the world, and His work continues in us, through us. I want to help Jesus continue His ministry... may my heart be a pure tablet for Jesus to use me as a minister of the new covenant in Christ!
I find it so interesting how John fills in the details of the stories we read about in the other gospels, like only an insider could do. Sure Matthew was a disciple, but John just seems to be involved in so many of the stories. In these passages Jesus gives his mother to John to care for. Then on Resurrection Day John ran to the tomb faster than Peter, but didn't go in. Then he report about the conversation between Jesus and Doubting Thomas and tells about the fishing trip that Jesus cooked breakfast for. He even records how Jesus and Peter talked about John staying alive longer than the others. John had a lot of first hand experiences that he shares with us.
Jesus had forgiven Peter. He did not need that final talk. But Peter did! And because Peter knew he was forgiven he could lead the life Jesus wanted him to. And with help from Jesus, so can we!
Peter denied Jesus out of fear of persecution...Pilate allowed Jesus to be crucified out of fear of losing his power. Nothing good usually happens when we base our decisions on fear and the earthly influence of popular opinion. Lord help us to be bold for you through the power of the Spirit that you have breathed into each of us.
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