|
Peter had denied Jesus
three times during Christ's
arrest and trial. As the
cock crowed, Peter
remember that Jesus had
told him that he would
deny Him three times.
Peter then repented with
tears of sorrow and
grief.
Now Jesus and Peter
are having another
conversation. This
conversation takes place
after Christ's
resurrection. After
dining with His
disciples, the Lord draws
Peter aside and questions
him. In this
conversation, Jesus asked
Peter three times,
"Simon, son of
Jonas, loveth thou
Me...?" Each time
Peter answered Him,
"Yea, Lord..."
(John 21:12-17). Jesus
responded to Peter the
first time, "Feed my
lambs." The next two
times that Peter answered
this same question, Jesus
responded with:
"Feed my
sheep."
It is very important
for us to understand that
only through
loving Jesus
are we able to minister
to His sheep and to a
lost and dying world. God
had chosen Peter to
minister to His lambs,
His sheep - His people.
Those who truly love
Jesus are equipped to
help, to teach, to guide,
and to tenderly love. I
believe that one truth Jesus
desired Simon Peter to know
was that in order for Peter
to properly feed His sheep, he
must love Jesus first and
foremost. If love for Jesus
was first, then Peter would
be able to tenderly care for
the children of God.
God's asks of
us the same - to love Jesus and
let Him reign as the Love that we
are guided by. Just as Simon Peter
was chosen of God for a certain task,
we Christian women
have been chosen for the divine task of
feeding God's lambs, sheep:
our
children/grandchildren,
other family members, our
sisters in Christ, etc.
We are to fulfill this purpose through our
words, deeds, and
actions!
As you meditate upon
Christ's words to Peter,
does His words
"loveth thou
Me" echo through
your heart? Does your
thoughts, actions, and
deeds echo back these
words, "Yes Lord, I
love You?" As I
listen with my heart, I
hear Jesus softly say,
"Michelle, loveth
thou Me? Then I hear Him
tell me to feed those
whom He has placed in my
life. Feed them not only with
words of truth, but also with
gentle actions,
kind ways, and merciful
love. I hear Jesus say,
If you love me, you will
keep my
commandments.
Love
for Jesus is a Christian's
motivation. If we are motivated
by anything else, then our efforts
will prove vain.
Remember:
- We have nothing of lasting value
to give unless we have
Jesus.
- We cannot truly love and
show mercy unless we
truly love Jesus.
To think
About:
- Does my actions, words,
attitudes, and deeds show
my love for Jesus?
- What am I spiritually, emotionally, and physically
feeding my
children/grandchildren,
family, friends,
neighbors, co-workers?
-Am I feeding those whom God has given me
from my flesh and the lusts and things of the
world or am I feeding
them the milk and meat of Jesus Christ?
Applying
this verse to my Life:
- Willfully choose to love
the Lord God with all
your heart, soul, mind,
and strength in every task you do and in
every duty you have.
- Be obedient to all that
you know is true, pure,
and good.
- Make a conscious effort
to reflect Jesus in all
of your ways.
|
