Saturday 30 Dec 2017

December 30: John 21:15-19

Key Verse: John 21:15
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

Devotion:
Doubt is something which we all live with. It is not pleasant, and we don't seem to have much control over it when push comes to shove. When we are diligent in our walk or even in our work, the doubt is minimised because we think we have the answer to each problem we come across. But there will be one time when we have to face decisions like Peter had to. We face decisions for which we can see no way out, so we take the least arduous route, the easiest to live with; not necessarily the right route...

Some say Christ addressed Peter by his original name because of him denying Christ three times previously. Whatever happened, Peter had to face up to Christ after this and He had to answer for what he had done. Christ simply asked him three times whether he loved Him. Each time Peter would have got a bit more desperate with his answer knowing that Christ knew his heart and his mind but still having to face up to the questioning. It would have seemed like his sincerity would have been called into question three times right in front of the others... because he had some doubt in his mind. He had denied Christ because he doubted whether he would come out alive. He had not left his fate in Christ's hands but had doubted and stood back. Personally, I would not like to face such a thing as Peter had to face...

These mistakes had made Peter more humble. He had learned from what he had done. If he had not learned, then he would not have been a better man. Christ was not only bringing to light what Peter had done, but was strengthening his resolve. For our love for Christ to be proved (to be made stronger) it must be tested. Resting in our love and never having it challenged would not make us ready for any temptation the evil one has to throw at us. We need to find strength in Christ through everything that we do with Him and not through everything we surround ourselves with.

Points to Ponder:
Do you like being tested?

How do you fare when Christ tests you?