John 21:15-17 "When they had eaten, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these [others do--with reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion, as one loves the Father]? He said to Him, Yes, Lord, You know that I love You [that I have deep, instinctive, personal affection for You, as for a close friend]. He said to him, Feed My lambs.16Again He said to him the second time, Simon, son of John, do you love Me [with reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion, as one loves the Father]? He said to Him, Yes, Lord, You know that I love You [that I have a deep, instinctive, personal affection for You, as for a close friend]. He said to him, Shepherd (tend) My sheep.17He said to him the third time, Simon, son of John, do you love Me [with a deep, instinctive, personal affection for Me, as for a close friend]? Peter was grieved (was saddened and hurt) that He should ask him the third time, Do you love Me? And he said to Him, Lord, You know everything; You know that I love You [that I have a deep, instinctive, personal affection for You, as for a close friend]. Jesus said to him, Feed My sheep."
Like many Christians today, Peter on the surface loved the Lord very much. But before he was baptized by the Holy Spirit and fire, it was a love that was not rooted deep with the Power of God. When they initially came for Jesus, Peter had drawn the sword to protect Jesus. Peter had sliced the ear off the high priest's servant who had come for Him. The Lord rebuked Peter and told those around that those who draw by the sword will die by the sword.
Peter at first appeared very zealous for the Lord. It even appeared that Peter's willingness to illustrate his love for the Lord by drawing the sword to cut the ear off one of the servants of the high priest. In fact, before they came for the Lord, Peter strongly proclaimed to the Lord that he would not desert Him.
Matthew 26:31-35 Then Jesus said to them, You will all be offended and stumble and fall away because of Me this night [distrusting and deserting Me], for it is written, I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.32But after I am raised up [to life again], I will go ahead of you to Galilee.33Peter declared to Him, Though they all are offended and stumble and fall away because of You [and distrust and desert You], I will never do so.34Jesus said to him, Solemnly I declare to you, this very night, before a [i]single rooster crows, you will deny and disown Me three times.35Peter said to Him, Even if I must die with You, I will not deny or disown You! And all the disciples said the same thing."
How many of us have told the Lord or other people that we love the Lord so much that we will die for Him if necessary. However, the Lord has shown through the example of Peter that even Peter had initially failed. In fact, he failed three times. We can have some willingness like Peter who drew the Sword. How many people have attempted to defend the gospel or Jesus in their flesh? How many have gotten angry, condemning others, belittling others, gossiping others, etc justifying it on the basis that the others are deceived or wrong? How many have drawn their own sword thinking they were doing a favor for the Lord. But yet, the Lord rebuked Peter and He healed the ear back to the servant of the high priest. The Lord was basically telling Peter, if you react in the flesh, you will die in the flesh. Even though the servant of the high priest came to take Jesus, the Lord out of His Love healed his ear. How many of us would feed our enemies who come to kill us? This is the unconditional Love God desires in us. We must be not only willing to die for the Lord but even our enemies hoping it will lead to their salvation.
There are many Christians who are as zealous as Peter had been. Just as Peter, they tell the Lord, they will never disown Him even if they have to die. Yet, such Christians are tested daily to die to themselves and thus they continue to deny the Lord through their actions. So when the real test comes and their lives or the lives of their family are at stake, how will they truly react? Will they really die for Him or will they disown Him? When Peter told the Lord that he would never disown Him, I am sure in that moment Peter really meant it. But this shows that we are not even to trust ourselves or our ability. How do you really know you will stand the test?
When Peter had failed three times, the Lord asked Peter three times if He loved Him. Peter still said, "yes." But the Lord asked Him three times to make a point. Moreover, the Lord was defining Love to Peter and to us. Loving the Lord is action to do His Will giving ourselves to one another in servitude. The Lord said, "Feed, tend, and feed." Although, in some cases it may be physically feeding His people but it is more than that. It is to feed the Lord to them for He is the Bread of Life and Jesus said that doing the Father's will was nourishment for Him.
As Christians, we are to draw closer to the Lord on an intimate level and be baptized by the Holy Spirit and His Fire. When Jesus had asked Peter three times, the Lord also implied that Peter would be martyred. Yet out of fear, Peter asked what about the other guy? The Lord replied that it was not his concern. Once Peter was baptized by the Spirit of God, he was now really ready to die for the Lord. He would now be ready to go all the way.
Peter was zealous and on the surface declared he would not disown the Lord. Every Christian has this ability declare such words. But the real question is who possesses the faith to do the Father's Will? Genuine faith does not boast what it can do for that would be seeking the approval of men. Genuine faith seeks to do the Father's will and OBEY. Genuine faith obeys through humility without seeking glory for oneself.
Let us pray and ask for the Faith like Abraham so we may endure and persevere to do the Lord's work in the coming dark days for His Glory!! Die to yourselves and do not deny Him through your actions! Many think it must be our words but our actions declare louder what is really in our hearts! He comes for a Holy Bride!!! Praise HIM!
2 Timothy 2:12 If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny and disown and reject Him, He will also deny and disown and reject us.
Titus 1:15-16 To the pure [in heart and conscience] all things are pure, but to the defiled and corrupt and unbelieving nothing is pure; their very minds and consciences are defiled and polluted.16They profess to know God [to recognize, perceive, and be acquainted with Him], but deny and disown and renounce Him by what they do; they are detestable and loathsome, unbelieving and disobedient and disloyal and rebellious, and [they are] unfit and worthless for good work (deed or enterprise) of any kind.
God bless you all!
Fire of God
Steve Yong Kim
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