"Greetings in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for 29 December 2011"
Today's Blog Title: "The Restoration of Peter"
Since we have finished the Book of John, I would just like to comment on "The Restoration of Peter" from Chapter 21. It is interesting to note that in the Book of John, is the only Gospel account of Jesus restoring Peter to His ministry after his three denials (John 18:17, 25-27, 21:15-19). Only a short time before this dramatic encounter with the risen Lord, Peter had boldly announced that he would give his life for Jesus. Jesus responded by informing Peter that he would actually deny Him three times that same night (John 13:37-38).
Later that evening after Jesus had Peter that he would deny Him three times, Jesus was arrested. While He stood trail before the chief priest, Peter hid outside in the courtyard. Three times Peter was recognized as one of Jesus followers; three times he denied knowing Jesus, thus fulfilling the words of Jesus. Luke 22:62 tells us that when Peter realized what he had done, He went out and "wept bitterly."
Can you just imagine, Peters emotions during his encounter with the resurrected Savior by the Sea of Tiberius. He was in no doubt overjoyed to see the risen Lord. But he was also ashamed and embarrassed about his desertion and denied of Jesus in His hour of greatest need.
Here by the Sea of Tiberius Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved Him. Three times He asked just as Peter had denied Him three times. The first two times, Christ used the Greek word "agapao", signifying a love commitment, a love of the will. Peter responded with the Greek word, "phileo", indicting Peter's strong emotions for the Lord. This word expresses warmth, fondness and friendship.
The Lord, when Peter acknowledged that he loved Him, gave him the task of feeding His lambs and taking care of His sheep. Expressing our love for Christ means that we have a duty to do the work of God and to be faithful. During the ministry of Christ here on this earth, Peter at times had difficulty with faithfulness. Since Jesus was getting ready to ascend back to His Heavenly Father, He wanted to get a commitment from Him.
Please note that the third time that Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him our Lord used the word, "phileo," indicating a strong friendship. Christ had taught that a friend who loves will lay down his life for a friend. Peter had denied Christ three times. So with Peter's final response to the question of "Do you love me?" from the Lord, he says, "You know that I love You," the Lord had drawn a commitment from Peter and assured the other disciples of the bond between Himself and Peter. Jesus here in this exchange, demonstrated His COMPLETE FORGIVENESS of Peter thus showing us a Christians that just as Christ forgave we also should forgive those who do us wrong. The Lord restored Peter to a position of leadership in the ongoing ministry of the gospel.
Today's Hymn: "Grace Greater Than Our Sin"
Marvelous grace of our loving Lord, Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt
Yonder on Calvary's mount out poured, There where the blood of the lamb was spilled
Grace, Grace, God's Grace, Grace that will pardon and cleanse within
Grace, Grace, God's Grace, Grace that is greater than all our sins
Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus Holy Spirit, how thankful we are that when we confess our sins to you, that You are faithful to forgive us of our sins and to cleanse us of All our unrighteousness. May we as your servants go out into this dying and sinful world and proclaim the Good News of the Free Gift of Salvation that we have because of the the shed blood and resurrection from the grave of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Help us Lord to forgive those that have done us wrong just as you forgave us of our sins. Thank You Jesus for Your Love, Mercy, and Grace. Amen
Today's Biblical Truth: "May we as Christians in unseen faith say, "My Lord and my God as we place our complete Faith and Trust in Jesus Christ."
Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day. Go in Peace and Serve the Lord our God with Gladness. Love God More Today. Pray for our Brothers and Sisters in Christ who are being persecuted for their Faith and Trust in Jesus Christ. Pray also for the God's Blessings on the Nation of Israel. Always remember that when you have a spiritual Dilemma in your life and you yell out, "I CAN'T," GOD whispers to you, "BUT I CAN."
"But Jesus looked at them and said, "With men it is impossible, but with God; for with God all things are possible." Mark 10:27
Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi
Today's Blog Title: "The Restoration of Peter"
Since we have finished the Book of John, I would just like to comment on "The Restoration of Peter" from Chapter 21. It is interesting to note that in the Book of John, is the only Gospel account of Jesus restoring Peter to His ministry after his three denials (John 18:17, 25-27, 21:15-19). Only a short time before this dramatic encounter with the risen Lord, Peter had boldly announced that he would give his life for Jesus. Jesus responded by informing Peter that he would actually deny Him three times that same night (John 13:37-38).
Later that evening after Jesus had Peter that he would deny Him three times, Jesus was arrested. While He stood trail before the chief priest, Peter hid outside in the courtyard. Three times Peter was recognized as one of Jesus followers; three times he denied knowing Jesus, thus fulfilling the words of Jesus. Luke 22:62 tells us that when Peter realized what he had done, He went out and "wept bitterly."
Can you just imagine, Peters emotions during his encounter with the resurrected Savior by the Sea of Tiberius. He was in no doubt overjoyed to see the risen Lord. But he was also ashamed and embarrassed about his desertion and denied of Jesus in His hour of greatest need.
Here by the Sea of Tiberius Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved Him. Three times He asked just as Peter had denied Him three times. The first two times, Christ used the Greek word "agapao", signifying a love commitment, a love of the will. Peter responded with the Greek word, "phileo", indicting Peter's strong emotions for the Lord. This word expresses warmth, fondness and friendship.
The Lord, when Peter acknowledged that he loved Him, gave him the task of feeding His lambs and taking care of His sheep. Expressing our love for Christ means that we have a duty to do the work of God and to be faithful. During the ministry of Christ here on this earth, Peter at times had difficulty with faithfulness. Since Jesus was getting ready to ascend back to His Heavenly Father, He wanted to get a commitment from Him.
Please note that the third time that Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him our Lord used the word, "phileo," indicating a strong friendship. Christ had taught that a friend who loves will lay down his life for a friend. Peter had denied Christ three times. So with Peter's final response to the question of "Do you love me?" from the Lord, he says, "You know that I love You," the Lord had drawn a commitment from Peter and assured the other disciples of the bond between Himself and Peter. Jesus here in this exchange, demonstrated His COMPLETE FORGIVENESS of Peter thus showing us a Christians that just as Christ forgave we also should forgive those who do us wrong. The Lord restored Peter to a position of leadership in the ongoing ministry of the gospel.
Today's Hymn: "Grace Greater Than Our Sin"
Marvelous grace of our loving Lord, Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt
Yonder on Calvary's mount out poured, There where the blood of the lamb was spilled
Grace, Grace, God's Grace, Grace that will pardon and cleanse within
Grace, Grace, God's Grace, Grace that is greater than all our sins
Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus Holy Spirit, how thankful we are that when we confess our sins to you, that You are faithful to forgive us of our sins and to cleanse us of All our unrighteousness. May we as your servants go out into this dying and sinful world and proclaim the Good News of the Free Gift of Salvation that we have because of the the shed blood and resurrection from the grave of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Help us Lord to forgive those that have done us wrong just as you forgave us of our sins. Thank You Jesus for Your Love, Mercy, and Grace. Amen
Today's Biblical Truth: "May we as Christians in unseen faith say, "My Lord and my God as we place our complete Faith and Trust in Jesus Christ."
Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day. Go in Peace and Serve the Lord our God with Gladness. Love God More Today. Pray for our Brothers and Sisters in Christ who are being persecuted for their Faith and Trust in Jesus Christ. Pray also for the God's Blessings on the Nation of Israel. Always remember that when you have a spiritual Dilemma in your life and you yell out, "I CAN'T," GOD whispers to you, "BUT I CAN."
"But Jesus looked at them and said, "With men it is impossible, but with God; for with God all things are possible." Mark 10:27
Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi
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