|
|
| Home ¦ Magazine ¦ Praise Report ¦ Covenant Partners ¦ Contributions ¦ Omag Archives |
| T R U S T I N G LOVE |
|---|
Love is not something you learn … … LOVE is something you live … … that you experience and that you do! Loving is as important as being loved … Yes, there is a difference as also the Apostle Peter had to learn. Peter wanted to be the best disciple ever… … but after 3 years with Jesus ... sadly he failed! Although Peter had lived with and learnt from Jesus, there was something Peter lacked … … a real relationship, based on love, one like the Apostle John had with Jesus Peter still had to learn … the power of LOVE! Yes Peter had failed, even denied Jesus … … and for Peter that seemed like the end … But for Jesus it was just the beginning … … to bring Peter to know and experience LOVE, ...The very heart of God!
So, after His resurrection, Jesus knowing Peter’s situation, knowing that something was lacking in Peter's relationship with Him, and that he was hurt and needed to be restored … Jesus went to where Peter was ... (as He also does for each of us) to teach Peter how to make the connection with God in the spirit realm…  Peter and the other disciples had been out fishing all night, when Jesus met them on the sea shore. After they had eaten the breakfast that He had prepared for them ... Jesus asked Peter what would seem to be rather strange questions … questions that on the face of it would seem to be everything but uplifting ... 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." 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." 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. --- John 21:15-17 After having only days before denied Jesus publically, how could being asked three times … … Peter do you love me ... help Peter in any way? Particularly when it would seem that at the same time Jesus was comparing Peter's love for Him with that of the other disciples. Yet ... ... when we understand what Jesus really asked and teaching Peter ... ... then the picture looks very different.
In the English language, it looks as if Jesus asked Peter the same question 3 times, when actually He did not! In studying love, particularly in the New Testament … we need to realize that there are two words used for love and therefore there are also two meanings for the word love. Agape … Love … To give without expectation or demand! ... by implication this also means … having to give! Phileo … Love … Affection, taking pleasure in, to desire! ... by implication it means wanting or needing to have! So let's read the same scripture using the words that Jesus used ... So when they had eaten breakfast,
Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you agape Me more than these?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I phileo You." He said to him, "Feed My lambs." He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you agape Me?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I phileo You. " He said to him, "Tend My sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you phileo Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you phileo Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I phileo You." Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep. --- John 21:15-17 Even stranger, or maybe not? Well, for us to truly understand what Jesus was asking Peter, and how this discourse could turn Peter's life around ... ... we need to look more closely at what was being said, not just reading the words used ... ... but adding in the meaning of the original words as Jesus used them … |
What was it that Jesus was asking Peter and ... ... what was Peter's response? Well let's see ... So
when they had eaten breakfast,
Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonah, “Do you have something to give Me more than these? Peter said to Him, Yes, Lord; You know that “ I need you”. Jesus said to him, Feed My lambs. He said to him again a second time, Simon, son of Jonah, “Do you have something to give for Me?” Peter said to him, Yes, Lord; You know that “I need you”.. Jesus said to him, Feed my sheep. ---
John
21:15-16
Twice Jesus asked Peter … … do you Agape Me? … “Do you have something to give?” and twice Peter said … … Lord you know I Phileo you … … Lord you know that I need you! Why?
In himself Peter was empty ... ... he had nothing to give … ... he knew that he needed Jesus ... ... he realized that Jesus was the answer! Knowing this, but also knowing that Peter himself did not realise it, Peter had to act on that need ... ... he had to take hold of what would supply in his need! Therefore ... Jesus changed His question … He
said to him the third time,
"Simon, son of Jonah, do you Phileo Me? “Do you need Me? Do you really need Me, do you really trust me?” Peter was grieved because already twice he had said he needed Jesus, And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; ”You know my affection, my need and my trust”. Jesus said to him, Feed my sheep. ---
John
21:17
What was Jesus trying to show Peter? Jesus knew that Peter needed to see Who and where his source was, where the supply of his need was … Jesus knew that He had to get Peter to reach out to Him … in trust, so that Jesus could give to him … Jesus was trying to show Peter that he, Peter, had to draw from Jesus ... … so that he would have something to give for Jesus! So, when Jesus asked Peter the third time … … Peter, do you love (Phileo) Me? … … Jesus was laying the foundation for Peter’s restoration ... ... for Peter's future ministry …
Jesus was laying the foundation to equip Peter … ... showing him by asking him … Peter, do you have enough trust in Me
... to let Me work through you? And only ... ... when Peter allowed Jesus to give of Himself into his life … … when Peter opened himself to receive that (Agape) love from Jesus … … when Peter allowed Jesus close to him (like John did) … Only then … … could Jesus give to Peter what He needed! … could Jesus give to Peter what he lacked! … could Jesus equip Peter for the ministry He had for Peter! Peter’s answer was … … Yes Lord, You know all things, … and You know I trust You! And Jesus said … … Then allow Me to feed My sheep through you!
Out of Peter’s affection and his trust in Jesus … … Jesus made the spiritual giant! A spiritual giant … … of whom it is written in the Book of Acts … so that they brought the sick out into the streets
and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed. ---
Acts
5:15-16
Peter walked so close to Jesus … … that where Peter went, Jesus went! And what happens when we walk that close to Jesus...? And they went out and preached everywhere,
the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. ---
Mark
16:20
 Eldoret,
Kenya
Was
that just for Peter and Jesus' disciples?No! God is not a respecter of persons ... ... and we have this promise ... Now hope does not disappoint,
because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. ---
Rom.
5:5
All that is important ... is trusting LOVE!
 Jan D vander Merwe
Covenant Ministries |
|||||||
| GOING EVERYWHERE ... with LOVE |
|---|
|
in particular to the hinterland of northern Zimbabwe, was all that I expected and even more! In Pemalombe Resettlement area in the northern Zimbabwian district of Tengwe, Bishop Ndowona had arranged a Pastors conference, with around 100 pastors and delegates coming from up to 30 kilometres by bus, bicycle and quite a number even on foot.  Being the end of their winter, the land was dry, the days warm and dusty and the nights on the chilly side. But not so the delegates and the locals, who warmly received us with open arms.   The facilities were uniquely traditional, serving a purpose without the pomp and ceremony we so often demand. So also was the hospitality ...  No electronic gadgets ... but even so food as only the locals can prepare ... I must say I enjoyed myself nearly as much in the traditional and local cultural activities, ... as in the times of ministry! |
Not every part of
a ministry trip is at all times as planned or without its down sides.
This trip was not to be an exception ... On the return from our 2 day trip to Pemalombe, we were rather surprised to see a big blanket of smoke covering a vast area of land on the way back to Harare. As we got closer we also saw large numbers of people with what was obviously their belongings, aimlessly walking or sitting along the roadside. Soon we saw the reason why ... ... their huts had been set alight!  On enquiring why, I was informed that these were huts of squatters who had been told to vacate the land they had occupied for 2-3 years, and to move back to their original areas. When they ignored the police deadline to move, they were expelled by force and their huts burned down. Harsh ... but a real part of life in Africa. Certainly not a great situation ... ,,, but for us simply another reason to do even more to get the Word of God out to every corner of every country God has sent us to ... And, in every way possible to us, through ministry, prayer and financial means ... to make a difference ... GOING EVERYWHERE ... with LOVE
We thank you, our
partners, once again ...  |
||
| The People of God - Reaching the People for God |
|---|