The Degree of God's Love

God's Love is steadfast despite Peter's actions

 

Chapter 2 Prior Chapter   

 

Despite Christ explaining to Peter, the Father himself telling Peter to listen, and Jesus responding with as strong an language as, “Get behind me, Satan!,” Peter was undeterred from believing he was going to protect Jesus Christ.

 

John 18: 7-11 Peter ended up using a sword to cut off the ear of the servant who was among those arresting Jesus.

 

Had Peter’s decision-making prevailed, Peter’s violence may have continued until himself and others were killed. Had Peter prevailed, the moment may have been remembered as a bloodbath rather than the time that Christ was submitting himself for the salvation of mankind.

 

    1. Peter was like many modestly mature believers; willing to die for Christ, but blind to his role in living for Christ.

    2. Luke 22: 51 Jesus performed the miracle of healing the servant's ear because God’s plan worked around Peter’s spiritual immaturity.

    3. Christ’s message is that God’s new relationship with man does not give up on those who love Him! God then offered Peter additional opportunities until Peter finally comprehended the message!

 

At what point did Peter learn to listen to “God’s will?” John 21:1-19

    1. What explanation is there for Jesus to ask Peter if he loved Christ more than this catch of 153 dead fish? John 21: 15

    2. Had Jesus not intervened, just how many successful catches would it have taken for the disciples to return to their routine of fishing and ignore sharing Salvation to the World?

    3. Peter love the messiah with all of his heart and mind however, Peter’s soul had not yet learned to love Christ’s spiritual direction. (The greatest commandment is not quite as simple as it appears.) Such love aligns our direction with that of Christ. John 15:1-11 specifically verses 4 and 7.

    4. For Peter to comprehend this, it took humility from the master as taught in the washing of the feet. John 13:2–17

    5. John 21:1-19 How did Jesus ask Simon Peter that second and third time, "Do you love me?" and then plead for him to “feed my sheep.” Potentially, the member of the Holy Trinity had tears in his eyes as He created this pivotal moment. This dearly loved child was to finally learn;  "quit drawing your own conclusions and yield to the spiritual direction of God.”

 

How do we ask for this grace? Prayer to the Father seeking His will, based on the Word of the Son (John 1:14), and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us.

We cannot comprehend the patience or the depth God's love for those who are open to learning grace.

 

We cannot comprehend the patience or the depth God's love for those who are open to learning this lesson.