John 21:17
"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.'" NIV
"He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep." KJV
When we first came to the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour, we were babes in Christ and we had to draw on the life giving power of the Lord through those who were more mature spiritually. We listened and learned from the wisdom of others, asking our Lord to give us wisdom and understanding. Now, as we have gone farther along the narrow path, blessed by God's grace of wisdom and understanding, we owe it to God to feed His newly born again Christians and we owe it to those babes in Christ who hunger and thirst for Him.
Heavenly Father, how gracious You have been to us on our Christian journey from the day we accepted You as our Saviour. How thankful we are to those who were more mature in the things of God who took time and energy to teach us and set a Godly example for us. Give us a burning desire to be holy teachers and leaders to feed those who are coming into Your kingdom that they might grow and be fruitful for Your kingdom.
©2011
Daily Grace
Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC
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1 comment:
This is one of my favorite passages because it shows Christ's heart for forgiveness and agape, or self-sacrificing love. Despite Peter's denying Christ 3 times, as Jesus had told him he would, He graciously asks Peter 3 times whether he loves him. The first 2 times the word is "agape," and the third time it is "phileo," meaning only kindly affection. Peter is hurt when his Lord uses the less intense word, realizing that only Jesus Christ Himself is capable of complete self-sacrifice (http://savedbygracebiblestudy.blogspot.com/2011/06/thy-people-shall-be-my-people.html). Yet what a wonderful reminder that God can use for His glory anyone who trusts in Him, no matter what their past. Peter spread the Gospel of the Kingdom throughout Judea, and Paul, who as Saul had persecuted Christians, spread the Gospel of grace to the Gentiles. (http://savedbygracebiblestudy.blogspot.com/2011/07/do-you-know-gospel.html) Praise God that He forgave us our sins, sent His only Son to die for us while we were His enemies, then adopted born-again believers as His children and alllowed us to be His ambassadors!
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