Verse of the Day 6/12

Through the Bible - Ezra 3-5, John 21

 

Good morning,

Today's New Testament reading in John 21 brings us to the conclusion of that great book of the Bible.  As mentioned previously, the purpose of John's writing this book was summarized in chapter 20.

 

John 20:30 And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.   NKJV

As you look at the lives of the disciples you also see growth.  For today's verse we'll go to John 21 where Jesus speaks to Peter and to anyone who truly wants to follow.

 

John 21:17-19  Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep.  18 Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish."  19 This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, "Follow Me."    NKJV

Through the gospels we can see the growth of Peter's faith.  Jesus had previously asked Peter to follow him

Matt 4:19 "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."    NIV
Matt 16:24 "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.  NIV

As faith grows, love grows, devotion grows, as you learn just what it means to follow.  Peter left his nets to follow him but that faith was not the same as here in John 21 and following in the book of Acts.   Peter had said in John 6:68 "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. " as others decided to follow no longer.   But Peter also denied Christ three times.  Jesus knew that this was coming and prepared Peter for it.

Luke 22:31 "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you  as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."   NIV

But now, I believe, Peter has learned what it truly means and what it truly takes to "follow Me", to follow Christ.

 

How do I know this?  Just continue in the read through the Bible plan and see how Peter, John, and others take a stand for Christ facing the same accusers who had put Jesus to death.

 

Acts 4:8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers and elders of our people, 9 are we being questioned today because we've done a good deed for a crippled man? Do you want to know how he was healed? 10 Let me clearly state to all of you and to all the people of Israel that he was healed by the powerful name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, the man you crucified but whom God raised from the dead. 11 For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says,

 

'The stone that you builders rejected
has now become the cornerstone.'

 

12 There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved."

 

13 The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus. 14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing right there among them, there was nothing the council could say.

Have you been following Christ?  Can you see changes in the way you follow?  Do you desire to follow Him more closely?  If so, learn to abide and grow.

 

.John 15:4 "Remain in me, and I will remain in you."

2 Peter 3:18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.   NIV

In Christ,
Mike

 

John 21:15-20

 

Jesus Restores Peter

 

15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?"

 

He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You."

 

He said to him, "Feed My lambs."

 

16 He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?"

 

He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You."

 

He said to him, "Tend My sheep."

 

17 He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?"

 

And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You."

 

Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep.  18 Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish."  19 This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, "Follow Me."    NKJV