Good day steemains, Word for today!!!!!!
Is everything really about Love?
“When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” (John 21:15)
Have you ever failed? Has your faith ever waivered or perhaps even crumbled under the pressure of tragedy or trial? If you can answer yes, you are in good company. The Apostle Peter was perhaps the most outspoken and bold of all the disciples. Yet, he faltered and failed. Mere hours after brandishing a sword to defend his Messiah from the army that came to arrest him, Peter denied even knowing Jesus. In Luke’s retelling of the event, Peter’s denial becomes even more bitter. Luke 22:60-62 tells us: “Peter replied, ‘Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!’ Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: ‘Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.’ And he went outside and wept bitterly.”
Jesus renamed Simon Peter – the Rock. At that moment, he probably felt like he had been crushed into sand. Yet, he was still the Rock on which Jesus would build his church. He was still Christ’s disciple. He was still called to a hard and important future that would create and shape the faith of tens of millions. Right now, however, Peter was broken. His faith had waivered. His words had betrayed his fear. He had failed. So have we. Perhaps that is why Peter inspires me most of the disciples. There was nothing small about this man. He lived big; his successes were big; and his failures were just as big. Most importantly, his restarts were just as big.
After the resurrection, Jesus sought out Peter to ask him that all important question, “Do you truly love me?” Jesus knew Peter loved him, but he also knew that Peter needed to confess it. He, like us, needed to hear Jesus command, “Follow me!” (John 21:19) Failure doesn’t take away our calling. It doesn’t diminish God’s love for us. It teaches us. It motivates us. It becomes part of our story that builds our empathy for others. Have you failed? Have you stumbled or even run away? Do you truly love God? Then follow Him
“No one can be qualified to feed the sheep and lambs of Christ, who does not love the good Shepherd more than any earthly advantage or object.” Matthew Henry