Tag: John 21:17-19
“Do you love Me?”
Scripture reading for November 19: Ezra 1-2; John 21
Key Scriptures: John 21: 17-19 “He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” and he said to Him, “Lord, You know everything: You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” (This He said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.” And after this He said to him, “Follow Me.””
The first and greatest commandment is to love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. Jesus persistently asked Peter if he loved Him. Peter had denied Jesus three times and now Jesus was restoring him by asking him to affirm his love. Love is the basis for all ministry. Love for Jesus is the foundation of His Church and disciples would be known by their love for Jesus and one another. It would be for love of Jesus that Peter would die a martyr’s death, choosing to be crucified upside down. Jesus spoke prophetically about this and emphasized to Peter his need to lovingly follow the Master, even unto death.
Faith confession and prayer: Lord, You alone know what is ahead in my life and I ask You to help me each day to follow You, even if it leads to persecution or death. Your unrelenting love draws me to love You more each day and love people into Your eternal kingdom.
Ezra 1:1-2 “In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the Word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom and also put it in writing: “Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and He has charged me to build Him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.”“
Following faithfully!
Scripture reading for May 3rd: John 21, Psalm 89, Proverbs 27
Key Scriptures: John 21:17-19 “He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” and he said to Him, “Lord, You know everything; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” “This He said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this He said to him, “Follow Me.””
Jesus lovingly restored Peter after his three denials after Jesus’ arrest by asking him three times if he loved Him. Jesus used this occasion to also reveal that Peter would suffer a death as a martyr. After the loving restoration and plain revelation of future suffering, Jesus still invited Peter to demonstrate his love by following Him. Tradition says Peter was also crucified, but at his own insistence, upside down because he did not feel worthy to die as His Lord did.
Faith Confession: Lord Jesus, I say along with Peter, Lord I love You. Lord, You do know all things. Help me to follow You in faith all the days of this life and to demonstrate my love through obedience.
Proverbs 27:1 “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.”
Follow to the Utmost!
Scripture reading for May 3rd: 1st Kings 21-22, 2nd Kings 1-2, John 21
Key Scriptures: John 21:17-19 “. . .Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” and he said to Him, “Lord, You know everything; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” (This He said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this He said to him.”Follow Me.”
Peter had denied Jesus three times during the hours following Jesus’ arrest. Now Jesus would restore His disciple by asking three times if He loved Him. He also gave Peter insight into how he would die. In all, Peter was to follow Jesus!
2nd Kings 2:11-13 “And as they still went on and talked, behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. And Elisha saw it and he cried, “My father, my father! The chariot of Israel and its horsemen!” And he saw him no more. Then he took hold of his own clothes and tore them in two pieces. And he took up the cloak of Elijah. . .”
Prayer: Father, thank You for restoring Peter and calling him to follow You. Help me to follow You closely and do Your will until my departure to be with You! Amen.