Do you love me?

Have you ever asked someone, "Do you love me?" Have you ever been asked by someone, "Do you love me?" This question is always asked to reveal what is in the heart. In today's shepherd story, we will discover that Jesus asked Peter three times, "Do you love me?" (John 21:15-22). We will see that Jesus wanted Peter to know what was in His heart. We will also discover that Jesus met Peter where he was at not where Jesus knew he would be someday or where he had been in the past.

I noticed something today I had not seen before. In John 21:5, Jesus called the disciples "children" when He invited them to come eat. This would not be seen as derogatory, but more as a term of endearment, familial, like a father calling his sons. Children are vulnerable, open, and still learning. Jesus helps them catch fish and then says, "Come, let's eat together." Again, Jesus modeled the spirit of welcome that we feel in our family as we sit and eat together. When we eat together the familial fellowship of familiarity allows us to be real and if holy, heal.

On the first time Jesus asked Peter, "Do you love me?" Jesus used agape love which is God's unconditional love. Peter responded by saying, "Yes, LORD, You know I friendship love you." Peter used phileo love which is man's friendship love. We don't know why Peter responded with a different type of love, but he did. Maybe it was because he knew he failed already three times and was not able to love Jesus no matter what.

Notice that Jesus did not point out the difference. 

Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." I cant help, but see the connection to the call of "children" from verse five. A lamb is even more vulnerable than a sheep and sheep are considered the most vulnerable of all herd animals. 

Remember, a good shepherd will seek out the small, vulnerable young ones to care, protect, bless (feed), and build his flock. Why? Because the young ones (vulnerable) require more attention, time, affection, tenderness, and help. A good shepherd pursues the most vulnerable.

In this moment, Peter is the vulnerable one. This scene follows after Peter's denial, Jesus' death, burial, and Resurrection. It is the third time the gospels reveal Jesus interacting with the disciples after His Resurrection. Is it possible that Peter was dealing with an internal struggle that needed to be dealt with because of his denials of Jesus?

Jesus sought him out. Most believe to restore Peter. I noticed that Jesus' restoration of Peter held some important processes. It was in front of the ones that knew Peter denied Jesus. Peter needed to be affirmed in front of the ones he lost face and soon will lead to reach thousands.

Jesus used Peter's full name. "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" I know that when my mom uses my full name two things are happening. I need to stop and listen and I am being reminded of who I am. There is a gift in this. It helps me to know the levity of the moment because usually I am in trouble or not paying attention to something very important. It also helps me know I am not alone. It is my story, my history, my lineage all wrapped up in my name. Jesus was reminding Peter of who is and where he comes from. 

Listen, listen! Jesus needed Peter to be ready to respond.

Jesus then told Peter what it will be like for him as he grows older. John points out that Jesus told Peter that his death would be on a cross. This futuristic affirmation points out that Peter will no longer deny, but die like Jesus. 

Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." "Tend my sheep." "Feed my sheep." There is alot of feeding and tending when you care for sheep. But it is different in what you will feed a lamb versus an adult sheep. It is almost as if Jesus is saying take notice of the differences and do so accordingly. 

"Follow me!" Jesus affirmed.

As I meditated on this passage, I realized that Jesus was asking Peter about his commitment level. This is not about Jesus being affirmed, but Peter being confirmed. Peter needed to settle in his heart. He seemed to understand the universal lesson of following and sacrificing. But then he falls prey to comparisonitis. Peter points out John, the beloved one, and asks, "What about him?" I wish I could hear his tone as he asked this question.

Jesus gave Peter a mandate. "Follow me!" This mandate is for all believers, but in this moment Peter needed to understand that when Jesus is speaking to him, it is not about another person's journey. It is about HIS journey. "Follow me." This almost feels like a second layer of "Will you love me more than these?" Maybe this is why Jesus had to say it twice, "Follow me!"

It is all about follow through. 

Follow Jesus.

Feed His lambs.

Tend His sheep.

Feed His sheep. 

It is all about trust. Trust in the one you follow.

As I meditate on the Good Shepherd today, I am challenged to ask myself. 

Am I willing to love with agape (God's unconditional love) more than in phileo (friendship love)?

Am I willing to feed the little ones (most vulnerable), tend the flock, and feed the flock?  

Am I willing to focus on Jesus and not what others are doing?

Do I trust Jesus to meet me where I am and lead me? 

Shalom y'all!

Witnessing to a devoted leader based on Acts 10

Sometimes when I interact with someone who appears very godly, I think that there is no need to share Jesus with them. They are already good. Have you ever felt like that? A good or moral behavior means a person already knows God. What if that is not so?  What if it is an open door? 

Today's story in Acts 10 has always been the story that God has used to show me that He notices good and moral behavior,  but He still wants us to be in a relationship with His Son!

This passage is about Cornelius. He is a Roman soldier that was devout in prayer, feared God, and gave generously to the poor. But there was something missing. So God sent him an angel to direct him to Peter so he could hear.  This is why we must be listening.

Now, Peter had his own issue. Peter did know God's son, but he was a racist. I know that is a harsh word, but he still had things inside him that did not honor God that needed to be dealt with. For Peter it was that he considered non-Jews unclean. Yet, all people are created in the image of God and Peter needed to understand this truth. So God gave him a vision when he was praying and challenged his thinking. This is why we need to pay attention and listen to hear what God is showing us.

God met both men where they were at. Cornelius in his devotion that needed Jesus and Peter in his devotion to Jesus that needed repentance and acceptance of all people.

I couldn't help but wonder at what Peter shared with Cornelius. What truths were considered so important for Cornelius to grasp?

1. God shows has no favorites. He shows no partiality.

2. Anyone who fears God and does what is right is acceptable to God. Regardless of nationality.

3. Jesus is LORD of all.

4. Jesus is good news.

5. Jesus is peace. 

6. You must produce the fruit of repentance.

7. Jesus was anointed by the Holy Spirit.

8. Jesus was affirmed by God at His baptism.

9. Jesus did good and healed the oppressed.

10. God was with Jesus.

11. Jesus was killed on the cross.

12. God raised Jesus on the third day.

13. Jesus appeared to many but not all after He rose from the grave. 

14.  Jesus appeared to the disciples and ate and drank with them after He rose from the grave. 

15. Jesus gave the command to preach and testify that He was appointed by God to judge the living and the dead.

16. All of the prophets bore witness to Jesus.

17. If you believe in Jesus you will be saved and receive the forgiveness of sins.

In this short discourse, we are provided the most basic truths of what we need to know about Jesus and what we need to share.

While Peter was still talking, the Holy Spirit fell on the people and they were given the gift of the Holy Spirit. Remember, the Holy Spirit is the one who guides us in all truth.

Imagine the peace that covered Cornelius and his whole household that day. Up to this point, he was working at being good, but now Cornelius would serve out of peace and gratitude not trying to win the favor of God, but know he had already received the favor of God. His devotion will now be done out of gratitude and blessing.

At this time in your life which one are you more like? Cornelius or Peter? 

It is important to be in the Word. To be with Jesus. To be transformed.

Shalom y'all.

When the Rooster Crows a New Day is Coming

This morning as I read about Peter's third denial of being a disciple, I was struck by the rooster's crow. I remembered that Jesus had warned Peter that he would deny Him three times and when he was done doing it a rooster would crow. But then I remembered these words.

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers" (Luke 22:31-32).

I then thought the whole reason a rooster crows is to let us know it is a new day. A rooster crows because he has an "internal clock that helps him anticipate sunrise (www.earthsky.org). The rooster anticipates the new day is awakening. Jesus could have used anything to remind Peter of his conversation, but He chose to use a rooster. 

Peter chose to run and deny what he knew as truth, but there is a new day coming when he would stand his ground and face his own demise at the hands of man. 

Peter may have forgotten who he was and who he served for a moment, but a new day was coming when he would proclaim boldly in the streets and synagogues. 

Peter may weep after the rooster crows, but soon he will rejoice when many nations receive the Holy Spirit. 

I love that Jesus gave Peter a rooster. An ordinary creature that daily crows even today on the Mount of Olives. A new day is coming. Get up and embrace the new day.

I do not know where you have been or what you have done, but I do know each of us need to hear the rooster crow. Go ahead and weep like Peter as you remember what you have done that you should not have done, but then get up and remember a new day has come!

Jesus intercedes for you! Though you may be sifted for a moment remember a new day is coming. Celebrate the rooster crowing as our reminder! Jesus has already come and He will come again!

Shalom y'all.