Devotion for 5/19/21 6 Minutes

John 21:15-17

Good evening everyone watching by video this evening,,, it's time for our weekly devotion. I'm praying that all of you are having a wonderful week so far. As I've said the last several weeks,,, we need to continue to remember those that are dealing with this virus. Those that are sick,,, since there are many others dealing with this sickness as it continues to grow and,,, those that have lost loved ones,,, we need to continue to remember them as well. Remember the medical teams that are dealing with this and any others that must work and take a chance of contacting this virus. Also,,, continue to remember those on our prayer list,,, and our country and it’s leaders. --------------- Our devotion this evening comes from "David Jeremiah Morning and Evening Devotions". Our scripture will be John 21:15-17 and I'll be reading from the Holman Christian Standard Bible. John 21:15–17 (HCSB) 15 When they had eaten breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said to Him, “You know that I love You.” “Feed My lambs,” He told him. 16 A second time He asked him, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” “Yes, Lord,” he said to Him, “You know that I love You.” “Shepherd My sheep,”He told him. 17 He asked him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved that He asked him the third time, “Do you love Me?” He said, “Lord, You know everything! You know that I love You.” “Feed My sheep,”Jesus said. God bless the reading and the hearing of your word this evening. Let us pray: Dear Lord,,, as we begin this evening,,, with all that are listening and watching by video,,, we ask that you open our ears to hear and our hearts and minds to receive the message that you have for us today,,, In Jesus' name I pray,,, Amen. --------------- This is a familiar passage of scripture,,, or at least it should be.

Peter had denied knowing Jesus 3 times after He was arrested even though Jesus had warned him that he would do so before the rooster crowed that morning.

Peter was very upset after this happened and apparently Jesus knew that He needed to reassure Peter that he was still expected to do the job that Jesus was going to need him to do.

David Jeremiah is going to talk about Jesus’ use of the way that He used the word “love”,,, compared to the way that Peter gave his reply when he answered Jesus.

Then he ends it by bringing forth the meaning that he takes away from this scripture. --------------- David Jeremiah titled this devotion “FEEDING SHEEP”. He begins by saying,, the final chapter of John’s Gospel records one of the last conversations between Jesus Christ and Peter. Just days earlier,,, Peter had denied Jesus beside a fire. Now,,, beside another fire,,, he will be restored. Just as Peter had denied Christ three times,,, he would be given three opportunities to confess his love for Jesus. He says,,, that’s the portion of the story most people remember. He goes on to say,,, Jesus uses one word for love—a strong, intense word for committed love—and Peter,,, his confidence shattered,,, comes back with a weaker word in reply. That happens two times,,, until finally Jesus looks Peter in the eyes and uses Peter’s own,,, weaker word,,, as if to say,,, “Peter, do you even care for Me as a friend?” The question breaks the big fisherman’s heart,,, but Jesus neither rejects nor casts the sorrowing man aside. On the contrary,,, He sends Peter into the kingdom. In no uncertain terms,,, He gives him a job to do. That is the portion of the story so often overlooked. Every time Peter answered Jesus,,, Jesus gave him a strong,,, specific command: “Feed My lambs, Peter”; “Tend My sheep, Peter”; “Feed My sheep, Peter.”

David Jeremiah says that Peter got the message.

Then he ended the devotion by asking,,, “Do you?”

And I wonder,,, “Are we truly doing the job that Jesus expects us to do today,,, or do we need to spend time in private conversation with Jesus,,, around our own fire,,, until we are ready to do like Peter,,, and do our job,,, as God intends for it to be done!” Jeremiah, David . David Jeremiah Morning and Evening Devotions (p. 286). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.