The Degree of God's Love

God's Love is steadfast despite Peter's actions

 

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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.  This moment would have been remembered as a bloodbath.  God's agenda was the opposite.  The moment is known in history as Christ submitting himself to man as a sacrifice for the salvation within mankind.

 

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

    2. Luke 22: 51 Jesus performed the miracle of healing the servant's ear as 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

    • What explanation is there for Jesus to ask Peter if he loved Christ more than these, a catch of 153 fish? John 21: 15

    • Had Jesus not intervened, just how many successful catches would it have taken for Peter and possibly others to return to their routine of fishing and ignore sharing the Message of Salvation throughout the world?

    • Peter loved the Messiah with all his heart and mind yet relied upon his own judgement. This was the source of accomplishing nothing from God’s perspective, John 15:5.

      In John 21:15-19 Jesus asked Simon Peter that second and third time, "Do you love me?" and then plead for Peter to “feed my sheep.” Jesus was creating a pivotal moment where Peter would come to recognize the need “to love God with all of our soul.”

    • This spiritual love creates the desire to “do things God’s way.” It aligns our direction to that of Jesus Christ. This relationship is required if our service is to produce results of eternal value, John 15:5. This journey begins with prayer; “yielding our heart to the role Christ offers us within the Father’s agenda.” We are then encouraged to ask for what is needed within this servanthood. John 15:7.

How do you and I 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 and depth of God's love for those who are open to learning this lesson: “Obedience” is derived through love. This can allow us to take up our cross and follow Jesus Christ. Matthew 16:24-27

 

As in the life of Peter, our effectiveness in serving God corresponds with our ability to listen to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.