The Everyday Prayer

Re:Verse passage – John 21:15-25 (day seven)

Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you [phileo] Me?” John 21:17

In English, we really only have one word to describe deep connecting feelings for another individual: love. Our word for love can be used in varying contexts though. I love God, I love my wife, I love my youth group, and I love tacos. All four of those are different types of love, and the Greek language would have a different one for each one. Here, Jesus asks Peter twice, “Do you agapao (unconditional love) Me.” Peter’s response is always, “You know I phileo (brotherly love) you.” In the final occurrence, Jesus uses Peter’s term, phileo. This one was the final straw. Peter was unable to tell Jesus that he loved Jesus as much as Jesus loved him, so Jesus dumbed it down to something like, “Do you really even love me like a brother?”

Do you love Jesus? It is impossible to be able to love Him as much as He loves us, but can you at least say that you love him with all your heart? Or is He just another person that we say we love and put on the same level as tacos?

Re:Verse passage – John 21:15-25 (day six)

There’s little doubt Peter was carrying a heavy burden. He knew this moment was coming. I imagine he both longed for it and dreaded it, like a child who longs for reconciliation with a parent; longing for their nearness again, but fearful of facing what you have done, along with their disappointment.

To Peter’s surprise, his burden would be lifted, and his identity forever changed with just a few moments alone with Jesus.

The death and resurrection of Jesus assured that his identity would no longer be defined by his greatest sin, but by the very righteousness of God. Peter was given new life and a new purpose.

And so have we.

Re:Verse passage – John 21:15-25 (day five). So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?”
‭‭I love this conversation and interaction between Jesus and Peter. It reminds me that Jesus is not intimidated or hesitant to call out or confront sin. What may seem awkward or uncomfortable to us, is not to Jesus. He just dives in, “Do you love Me more than these?”  Peter knew exactly what Jesus was doing. And Jesus knew exactly what Peter needed- confrontation and restoration (often, so do we). Just a few earlier, Peter had blown it. Failed in spectacular fashion. And yet, Jesus both reminds and restores. Doesn’t let Peter off the hook. Leads Peter to “grieve” the sins of his denial, pride, and comparison. And in the midst of grief, restores and commissions him to obedience (ministry for Peter).  As the Lord continues that work with us- please remember the outcome of conviction, confession, and repentance (need all of these) is obedience. “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;”‭‭ John‬ ‭10‬:‭27‬ ‭

Re:Verse passage – John 21:15-25 (day four)

I love the symmetry that we see between this passage and where we started in chapter 18. Peter denies Jesus three times, and now, in Jesus’ kindness, Peter gets to affirm his love for him three times. Jesus deals with Peter’s shame and fear so tenderly. He fully restores him.

What great timing it is that we’re studying this passage as we begin the season of Lent. As we spend this season in prayer, repentance, and drawing closer to the Lord, let’s put ourselves in Peter’s shoes. When the Lord asks, “Do you love me?” – what is our response? Have you denied Jesus in one way or another? Well, Jesus offers restoration to you, just like Peter.

Just as Jesus’ restoration for Peter is offered to us, his command to Peter is  given to us as well: “Tend my sheep.”

How are you tending to his sheep? What does it look like for you to respond to what Jesus is asking of you? How might you focus on that during this Lenten season?

Re:Verse passage – John 21:15-25 (day three)

“He said to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love Me?’”

Everyone longs to know the answer to this question. You’ve asked it all your life in various ways. “Do I matter to you?” “Do you treasure what I’ve accomplished?” “Will my presence make a difference to you?” You wanted your family to see your game or your recital. You feel joy when a friend celebrates your birthday. The question is a vulnerable one, and the stakes for your inner life are high. The answer isn’t always yes, even when the words would claim otherwise. You feel love when it’s really there, and you can tell when it’s not, though admitting its absence is sometimes more painful than you can bear. Jesus longed for Peter’s love, and he longs for yours. He’s really asking in all vulnerability.

Re:Verse passage – John 21:15-25 (day two) 

And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written. vs. 25

This is one of my favorite verses from my favorite Gospel. It is whimsical, and yet profound. Since we are so far removed from the life of Jesus, the apostles and all the other saints and prophets, we sometimes read scripture as a moment by moment account of their lives. If it isn’t written, it didn’t happen. John reminds us how inaccurate that line of think is. This side of glory we will not know the scope of his work while he walked the earth. The apostles have given us this beautiful framework that testifies to his divinity, his perfection, and his purpose, but it is by no means meant to be an exhaustive account of his life. Think for a moment about those conversations not recorded in the pages of scripture. Think of the lives that were forever changed by a touch, a miracle, a new understanding of God’s love. This by no means lessens those moments because the were not recorded. It is likely that none of the conversations you have with someone about Jesus will be written for posterity. That won’t matter to the one who finds Jesus in your words.