Pastor Barry's  "Chapter & Verse"  Day 34

February 3;   John 21:17;   89/260(VI);   ‘The Response of Love’

John 21:17 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. 

The Lord Jesus has risen from the dead and appears to His disciples.  Jesus addresses Peter and asks him three times, “do you love Me?”  Peter answers that of course he loves Jesus.  Jesus then tells Peter to feed His sheep. Peter is the disciple who swore he would not deny the Lord Jesus and yet he did three times.  I believe that Jesus specifically asked Peter this so that Peter knew for certain, that he was forgiven and reinstated as a disciple to do the Lord’s work.  The analogy is that we, people, are like sheep and if we love Jesus, we who know the Lord Jesus, will feed people or teach them the Word of God.  We will count it an honor to teach people what the Word of God says if we love Jesus.  Once we are Born Again, we have ‘not arrived.’  This is the beginning of our walk with the Lord and our privilege to continue His ministry.  Salvation is the starting point of our ministry.  One of the vitally important things that we are to do as Christians is sharing what the Bible teaches about God’s love for them and what the Lord Jesus has willing done for humanity.  Sharing God’s Word with those who are not yet Born Again is one way we prove our love for Jesus.  Christians are Jesus’ body, His Church and we have the privilege and responsibility to tell others the good news of Jesus Christ.  Since Jesus loved us enough to leave heaven and sacrifice Himself on our behalf, we show our love for Him when we continue His ministry by telling everyone we can what Jesus willingly did for them.  There is no greater honor than to share the Word, have someone respond to the truth and accept Jesus as their Lord.