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Trinity Sunday 11th. June 2006
email: fvamw@tm.net.my
Dear Friends
Greetings in the name of
our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus Reinstates Peter
When they had finished
eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter,
"Simon son of
John, do you truly love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he
said, "You know that I love you." Jesus said,
"Feed
my lambs."
Again Jesus said, "Simon of
John, do you truly love me?" He answered "Yes, Lord, you know that I
love you." Jesus said, "Take
care of my sheep"
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 that all
things, you know that I love you."
Jesus said,
"Feed my sheep, I tell you the truth, when you were younger you
dressed yourself and went where you wanted, but when you are old you
will stretch out your hand, and someone else will dress you and lead
you where you do not want to go." Jesus said this to indicate the
kind of death by which Peter will glorify God. Then he said to him,
"Follow me!"
(John 21:15-19)
Last week was Pentecost
Sunday, and we saw how Peter filled with the Holy Spirit, boldly
proclaimed Jesus as the Lord and Messiah to those gathered to hear
him.
Today we see Jesus with
Peter just back from fishing and after a meal asking him
"Do
you love me more than these" But before we reflect on the above
text, we need to see Peter at the High Priest’s house, despite being
warned by Jesus what would happen, denying knowing Jesus three
times. But one look from Jesus made Peter realize what he had done.
The gospels tell us Peter went out and cried bitterly. He became
aware of what Jesus had said about him denying knowing Jesus three
times before the cock crewed, and repented in tears for what he had
done out of fear in order to save his skin. How much we are like
Peter.
Jesus does not remind Peter of what he has done.
Jesus only asks if he loves Him more that the other things in his
life not once but three times, the same number of times Peter had
said that he did not know Jesus. Now Peter affirms this twice, but
on the third time, he says, "Lord, you know all things, you know
that I love you." Peter acknowledges and affirms that Jesus knows
all things about him, - his denials as well as his love for Him.
Jesus then reinstates him by saying "Feed my Lambs, feed my sheep
and feed my sheep". This was a commission Peter took very seriously
and Peter served his Master till the end of his days. We can read of
what he had done and how he was taught by the Holy Spirit and his
insights and teachings in the Bible.
So friends let us see how
God still calls us, convicts us of our sins, forgives our sins as we
confess them, equips us and moulds us, a piece of clay into a vessel
to be filled and used by Him in the places he has placed us. He does
not desire that we work for him, but rather desires that we work
with him, who resides within us. We, becoming a tool in his hands.
God is in control and He is with us
always.
The following questions may help you in your reflections.
1. How similar am I to Peter?
2. What do I do when my conscience tells
me, to examine my motives?
3. What a privilege we have, to take
everything in our life to God in prayer?
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With regards,
Fred |