Are You Even My Friend?
Father, You know my heart. You know my thoughts. I place both in the gentle hands of Your love. May I be immersed in You. Amen.
John 21:15-19 (<<click here to read the passage)
It may seem a strange mentality to have but there are probably people in our lives whom we love but do not especially like. When I say “love” what comes to mind is Jesus calling us to “love our neighbor as ourselves.” Matthew 22:39 NLT
It’s sort of a detached love. We love strangers because we are supposed to. We love acquaintances because we are supposed to – those we go to school with, maybe some of the fringy people we work with (“Yeah, I might know their name…but that’s about it!”), neighbors, and people we regularly interact with at businesses, or people whose kids interact with our kids.
But what about those who are somewhat close to us. This week, and in the weeks ahead, there is a possibility we will be interacting with family members who we see maybe two or three times a year – in some families more frequently. Yeah, we love them…they’re family. But the question is, do we like them?
It may seem like a weird question but there are people in all of our lives that we just don’t gel with. They think in different ways. They throw people of so many different traits into the same pot…a pot of their disapproval. They may be nicey-nice to their face but rarely have anything good to say about them behind their backs.
But I’ll tell you what really stings…sometimes even we feel that way about people ourselves. “Yeah, I love them and all, but their attitude towards me and others have just caused too much pain, and really? …I don’t like them very much.”
Peter had proclaimed his love and devotion toward Jesus time and again. But as was spoken of yesterday, when it really mattered he denied even knowing Jesus. For him to set things aright, Jesus ran him through the wringer. As the notes in my Life Application Bible put it, Jesus doesn’t settle for quick, superficial answers. He has a way of getting to the heart of the matter.
Altogether Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved him.
The first two times Jesus used the Greek word agape which is defined as a volitional, self-sacrificial love. But the last time he asked, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” v17 (Remember that’s what he was called before Jesus started calling him Peter) that Greek word for love is phileo which signifies affection, affinity, or brotherly love. In effect, Jesus was nailing Peter down with the question, “Are you even my friend?”
It put Peter, if you’ll forgive the pun, between a rock and a hard place (Peter means “rock”). He had to do something that many struggle with, he had to face his true feelings and motives.
Peter came out on the good side of things (as Jesus knew he would) but it didn’t make it any easier.
So…now each of us needs to answer Jesus’ questions. How would we respond? Jesus asks us as well, “Do you love me? Do you really love me? Are you even my friend?”
It’s a tough spot to be put in but to move forward in our relationship with the Lord, we need to do it. Thank You, Jesus, for Your patience, understanding, and most of all Your tough love!
Oh, and while we’re at it, Lord Jesus, help us to love more deeply those around us, so that we may be more and more like You. May our lack of “like” be transformed! Amen!
Nov 22nd, 2021, Mon, 7:38 pm
Testify!
After a couple of days being out of it, thank You, Father, for Your hand in getting us back to feeling better again. There is no match for the Great Physician!
John 21:15-19 (<<click here to read the passage)
One thing that was prevalent in many church services in my youth was testimonies. Sunday night services in particular seemed to be a time where those who had experienced God firsthand working in their lives shared with fellow believers what God had done and how it had changed them. Some were followers of Christ who had experienced this work, but many stories were shared by those who had newly entered the body of Christ. Time and time again we would hear of souls being pulled from the “miry clay” of life – doomed lives changed for lives blessed and graced by God!
I think that is one reason I enjoy attending pastor’s appreciation banquets sponsored by The Gideons (you know, the guys who place Bibles in hotel rooms and many, many other places!) Karen and I try to go every year. And pretty much every year testimonies are heard of individuals whom God changed in so many ways for His glory!
In reading my Life Application Study Bible notes, this sentence spoke to me.
It is one thing to say you love Jesus, but the real test is willingness to serve him.
Putting it mildly, Peter’s faith had been scrambled. He was a dedicated disciple and was emphatically gung-ho for whatever came down the pike – even if it meant death. But ultimately, when it came right down to it, for Peter it meant not death but denial. And without Jesus’ intervention, it’s pretty obvious that Peter would never have gotten over it. It was the worst possible thing he could have done, and he just couldn’t forgive himself.
Three denials, three confirmations of love for Jesus. It may seem a little over the top, and John’s Gospel even expresses Peter’s feelings at the time.
Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” v17b
Jesus had always been firm – loving…but firm. And Jesus wanted Peter to get beyond his sin. He wanted Peter to understand that it was more than just saying that he loved Jesus – he had to live out that love in service. Yes, Peter was repentant, but he needed to go up to the next level, he needed to commit his life to Jesus…and he did.
The last portion of the note speaks volumes…for Peter and for us.
Peter’s life changed when he finally realized who Jesus was. His occupation changed from fisherman to evangelist; his identity changed from impetuous to “rock”; and his relationship to Jesus changed – he was forgiven, and he finally understood the significance of Jesus’ words about his death and resurrection.
Lord Jesus, help us to get beyond “just” loving You. Enable us to get beyond the feelings and put our faith into action. May we be open to however You want us to serve You and fulfill the calling to Your Kingdom. May our lives testify to what You have done! Amen.
Nov 21st, 2021, Sun, 7:08 pm
“Always” Friends
Lord, through all the generations
….you have been our home!
Before the mountains were born,
….before you gave birth to the earth and the world,
….from beginning to end, you are God. Psalm 90:1-2 NLT
John 21:1-14 (<<click here to read the passage)
For some of us, friends are a dime a dozen. We have lots of them. We are always adding more, though we might not remember all of their names. We can lose some and we don’t notice a whole lot.
But truth be told, aren’t those a bit more like glorified acquaintances? Yeah, they like us, and we like them. We may hang out. We may do some things together. But when things get bumpy, we may turn out to be fair-weather friends…not just them, but us as well.
But hopefully, we have all had the blessing of having hard-core friends. Those with whom we have shared hard parts of our lives…and they didn’t leave us out to dry but have stuck with us through thick and thin.
These kinds of friends, too, are “always” friends. Life may take us in different directions and regular communication becomes very irregular but when our paths cross once more, it is as if no time has transpired since our last interaction. We just pick up where we left off!
And some of those friends have stuck by us when we have thrown them under the bus. We said or did something out of anger or outright selfishness…but they knew us better than we knew ourselves. They loved us in spite of ourselves. Though time may have passed their friendship did not falter but patiently awaited reconciliation.
Today’s passage takes place a short time after Jesus’ resurrection. A small group of His disciples headed out to fish and after a night of fruitless labor, Jesus calls out to them, advising them to cast their nets on the other side of the boat. The result was a net filled to the hilt! Though it is early morning and still hard to see well, John immediately recognizes that it is Jesus who called out to them and makes this awareness known to Peter. Peter throws on his tunic and jumps out of the boat at once, heading to shore.
When they got there, they found breakfast waiting for them—fish cooking over a charcoal fire, and some bread.
“Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught,” Jesus said.
And after doing so Jesus said, “Now come and have some breakfast!” v9,10,12 NLT
Reading through these verses I couldn’t help but think of Jesus’ interaction with them back in John 15 where He said to them,
This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. vs12-15 NLT
We cannot forget, when Jesus needed them most, most of them ran. They were hurt and confused and though they had promised dedication and support, they were nowhere to be found. Peter had even flat out denied even knowing Him.
But Jesus was no fair-weather friend. He stuck with them through thick and thin. And though they were not there when He needed them, He understood them, and He loved them…enough to lay down his life for them…His friends.
Our story is not quite done but let me leave you with this, what a friend we have in Jesus. Though we have hurt Him sorely, He understands us, better than we understand ourselves, and loves us more than we could ever begin to understand. What more could we ask?
Nov 18th, 2021, Thurs, 8:26 pm
A BIG Hang In There!
It was a good day of labor and interaction on many fronts. Father, thank You for the wherewithal to accomplish what You set before me. May Your blessings be on it all.
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I know of a man who has had his spiritual ups and downs throughout his life. He accepted Christ as His Lord and Savior at an early age but even though he has been very devoted to trying to keep in step with Jesus’ direction for his life, he feels that far too often he has undershot what should have been his goals.
At least in his own heart and mind, he is anything but a shining example of what a follower of Jesus should be. Yet he is amazed that God continues to use Him, though a weak and cracked vessel he may be.
Recently he was almost brought to tears when something came to mind that helped his day start on a much better note. It was nothing of any particular importance, but he got the distinct impression that the thought came not from his own consciousness but was whispered into his spirit by the Holy Spirit.
The reason it affected him so is that he seems to be struggling more in recent weeks than he has for a while but still God reached out and prompted him with a very small thing. It was as if he was being reminded, “Yeah, I know you’ve been having a lot of ups and downs recently. But I just want you to know…I still love you. You’re important to Me and I want to encourage you to hang in there. Keep at it. You are worth it, and all of your labors are worth it!”
He really felt that God was reminding Him that he was much more than useless!
So today, as you read this post, I want to encourage you to hang in there as well. Keep at it. If I am worth it – yes, I am the man – then you are worth it! And all of your labor is not in vain, but that which is done for the Lord, He will bless!
Jesus said in Matthew 5:48, “…you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.” NLT
Reading it in from the Amplified Bible helps, too.
You, therefore, will be perfect [growing into spiritual maturity both in mind and character, actively integrating godly values into your daily life], as your heavenly Father is perfect. [emphasis mine]
We strive for perfection, but we mustn’t beat ourselves up when we fall short – even if that’s what happens regularly. The idea is to not stop striving! God is in our corner – mine and yours! He’s our biggest encourager! Do not let the devil undermine God’s work! God hasn’t given up on us and we need to encourage one another to not give up on ourselves! For we all are much, much more than useless!
Nov 17th, 2021, Wed, 8:39 pm
It’s OK to Doubt
The Incredulity of Saint Thomas by the Italian Baroque master Caravaggio, c. 1601–1602
It was a hodge-podge kind of day, Father. Thank You for enabling me to make progress on things for Sunday and for getting other things done as well.
John 20:24-29 (<<click here to read the passage)
I know it’s silly, but I’ve always been a bit offended when speakers have railed against Thomas and his doubts. A good part of it, I’m sure, is due to the fact that his name is my name as well. Just the idea that he’s always referred to as Doubting Thomas, I find irritating!
I mean, truth be told, is there one of us who has not doubted at one time or another? I would think that we all have doubts and frequently at that!
Now I realize at this moment in Scripture, Thomas is doubting Jesus’ resurrection – and that’s a biggie! When they told him, “We have seen the Lord!” His response was, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.” v25 NLT
Until just a few days ago, things had been going along great for Thomas, as well as the other disciples who followed Jesus. It was a whirlwind of excitement. Each day held new wonders to experience and behold as they experienced every day with Jesus. And then something totally mind-numbing happened…Jesus was arrested, tried, convicted, and crucified – all in a matter of hours!
Everything Thomas had cherished crashed down around him. And they had convinced themselves that it was just a matter of time before they would face trouble before the powers-that-be. He had invested himself entirely, he had given himself over to Jesus…and now look where he was. He was shattered…
These were some of my thoughts reading through those verses, and then I read my Life Application Study Notes, and, wow(!), they really spoke to me!
Jesus wasn’t hard on Thomas for his doubts. Despite his skepticism, Thomas was still loyal to the believers and to Jesus himself. Some people need to doubt before they believe. If doubt leads to questions, and questions lead to answers, and if the answers are accepted, then doubt has done good work. It is when doubt becomes stubbornness and stubbornness becomes a prideful lifestyle that doubt harms faith. When you doubt, don’t stop there. Let your doubt deepen your faith as you continue to search for the answer.
Lord Jesus, yes, Thomas doubted but his doubts lead to questions which lead to answers and as he had with everything You had said or done or commanded, he embraced the answer he was given! And just as he had said at Lazarus’ death, he had to have proclaimed, “Let’s go, too—and die with Jesus.” John 11:16 NLT
Nov 16th, 2021, Tues, 6:43 pm