Wednesday, April 24, 2013

The Story of My Life as told by Jesus Christ

(Seed Sowers Christian Book Publishing House. http://www.seedsowers.com/)

Wednesday, April 24, 2013          I Asked Peter if He Really Loved Me     

Page 328      John 21:15-23

There are nuances in the dialog between Jesus and Peter and the three questions by Jesus clearly relate to Peter’s three denials of Jesus. While most Bibles simply render the translation as Jesus asking Peter three times, “Do you love me”, and Peter responding three times, “You know I love you”, the conversation was quite confrontational. Jesus asked Peter, “Do you agapaō me?” Agape is the highest form of love. It is the love of John 3:16 and the love Jesus commanded us to have for one another in John 13:34-35. Peter responded, Yes Lord, I phileō you” which means “I like you a lot.” The aroma of the charcoal fire brought to the surface Peter’s bitter memories of betrayal and made him acutely aware of his limitations. The second sequence is the same, but on the third sequence, Jesus asked Peter, “Do you phileō me?” Peter, are you sure of your feelings?

This conversation allowed Peter to confront his failures and to realize that his failures did not disqualify him as a disciple. (In a previous appearance by Jesus, Peter is included in Jesus commissioning of the disciples: “As the father sent me, so I am sending you” John 20:21.)

In his dialog with Peter, Jesus reveals the foundation for all Christian service. Whether you are the preacher, the musician, the greeter, the usher, the teacher, the server in the food line, the bell ringer for the Salvation Army, whatever your service may be, the foundation for your service is love for Jesus. Even though you have failed Jesus countless times, Jesus wants you to find your love for him and then give yourself in service as an expression of your love for him. Your service of love will be healing for your hurts and failures.

Your service is not a way to earn forgiveness – nothing can ever do that. Our relationship with Jesus is built on GRACE, from start to finish. These expressions of love are offered in joy because we are forgiven; not what we have to do, but what we get to do.

Because you love Jesus, what do you get to do today as an expression of that love?

“I am writing to all who have been called by God the Father, who loves you and keeps you safe in the care of Jesus Christ. May God give you more and more mercy, peace, and love. Amen”

Jude 1: 1a-2

Sē’lah

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What word or phrase in today’s reading attracts your attention?

Reflect on that word or phrase.

What insights come to you?

How does this passage touch your life today?

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  In addition to this BLOG they are distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com. The BLOG is also available on Amazon Kindle, by subscription

The second edition of my book, First Think – Then Pray has been released as an e-book on Amazon Kindle. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BGQL5JC

The Story of My Life as told by Jesus Christ

(Seed Sowers Christian Book Publishing House. http://www.seedsowers.com/)

Thursday, April 25, 2013 I Commissioned My Disciples & Ascended to My Father

Page 331-335         Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:8c, 14a, 15-28, 20;

Luke 24:44-49; Mark 16:19; Luke 24:50-53