January 24: Accepting His Love.
HIS REINSTATEMENT.
"Simon, son of John, do you love Me?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord, You know that I love You," He said to him, "Shepherd My sheep."--John 21:16
We met in a public place; her eyes betrayed her lack of sleep and weariness of spirit. she had hit bottom, in a downward spiral of substance abuse, feeling helpless and hopeless. As we continued to see each other, over time she started trusting that God had something better for her. Several months later she was offered a position as a university professor. Her strength and confidence were renewed, her spirit flamboyant, and her faith in God fully restored. She became a bright arrow, pointing to a graceful God.
So, is there ministry after failure? Can God use us for His glory after a serious misstep? I am so glad you asked! After the resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples a third time by the Sea of Galilee and prepared a breakfast for them (John 21:12-14). They had worked all night but had caught nothing, and Jesus miraculously caused them to catch a large quantity of fish (see verses 1-11). This event is similar to the one narrated in Luke 5, at the beginning of the ministry of Jesus, except that this time it is right after Peter had denied Jesus three times (John 18:25-27; Mark 14:66-72); he no longer has all the answers and his confidence is shattered. As Peter had denied Him three times, now Jesus offers him the opportunity to declare his love for Him three times (John 21:15-27). Peter humbly responds thrice: "You know that I love You" (John 21:15-17). Jesus reinstates Peter's original calling and bids him, "Tend My sheep." Those of us who have tasted Jesus' extraordinary forgiveness in our own lives are called to proclaim His grace boldly.
I waited patiently for the Lord;
And He inclined to me and heard my cry.
He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay.
And He set my foot upon a rock making my footsteps firm.
He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God;
(Psalm 40:1-3).
Amen!
My Response:________________________________________________________
HIS REINSTATEMENT.
"Simon, son of John, do you love Me?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord, You know that I love You," He said to him, "Shepherd My sheep."--John 21:16
We met in a public place; her eyes betrayed her lack of sleep and weariness of spirit. she had hit bottom, in a downward spiral of substance abuse, feeling helpless and hopeless. As we continued to see each other, over time she started trusting that God had something better for her. Several months later she was offered a position as a university professor. Her strength and confidence were renewed, her spirit flamboyant, and her faith in God fully restored. She became a bright arrow, pointing to a graceful God.
So, is there ministry after failure? Can God use us for His glory after a serious misstep? I am so glad you asked! After the resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples a third time by the Sea of Galilee and prepared a breakfast for them (John 21:12-14). They had worked all night but had caught nothing, and Jesus miraculously caused them to catch a large quantity of fish (see verses 1-11). This event is similar to the one narrated in Luke 5, at the beginning of the ministry of Jesus, except that this time it is right after Peter had denied Jesus three times (John 18:25-27; Mark 14:66-72); he no longer has all the answers and his confidence is shattered. As Peter had denied Him three times, now Jesus offers him the opportunity to declare his love for Him three times (John 21:15-27). Peter humbly responds thrice: "You know that I love You" (John 21:15-17). Jesus reinstates Peter's original calling and bids him, "Tend My sheep." Those of us who have tasted Jesus' extraordinary forgiveness in our own lives are called to proclaim His grace boldly.
I waited patiently for the Lord;
And He inclined to me and heard my cry.
He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay.
And He set my foot upon a rock making my footsteps firm.
He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God;
(Psalm 40:1-3).
Amen!
My Response:________________________________________________________
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