4/17/2019  2 Comments (at the bottom of this reflection.)

Today's question:
"Do you truly love me more than these?"

From John 21:
Jesus Reinstates Peter
15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

Reflection from Janine Forney

This question that Jesus asks of Peter takes place following the breakfast on the beach story. In this story, Peter and the other disciples are fishing at night, but are unable to catch any fish. In the morning, Jesus appears standing on the beach, and asks the group of disciples if they have caught any fish. They reply that they have not and Jesus tells them to cast their nets on the other side of the boat. They then caught 153 large fish. Jesus built a campfire and cooked the fish, then served the disciples a breakfast of fish and bread.
 
After the breakfast of fish and bread, Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him more than these. Peter replies, "Yes Lord. You know I love you.” Jesus replies, "Feed my lambs.” Jesus asks Peter a second time if he loved Him and Peter replied he did. Jesus then said, "Tend my sheep.” Jesus asked Peter a third time if he loved Him. Peter again said to Jesus that he loved Him. Jesus then replied, “Feed my sheep.” Then Jesus told Peter, "Follow me.” Peter now has the chance to redeem himself after denying he knew Jesus 3 times before Jesus was arrested.
 
My reflection:   Jesus is asking Peter to care for all people and show love to them when He asked him to feed and tend His sheep, just as Jesus showed love to the disciples and cared for them by making breakfast for them. Jesus set an example of how Peter and the other disciples should live and how to love and care for one another, and He is asking them to carry on this important work. Jesus is still asking us to do the same thing, to help people in need by giving gifts of food and money where needed, and volunteering to help others in various ways. This is how we can show our love for Jesus, by following the example Jesus set for us we all need to be more aware of how we can help others, and be willing to go the "extra mile" for those less fortunate. If we all try to do this, maybe we can become better Christians.  

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Comments

Irene Taylor
Wed, Apr 17, 2019 at 2:26 pm
Thanks, for the reminder that as followers of Jesus we are called to give and bear witness of God's grace and mercy.

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Julia Dulek
Fri, Apr 19, 2019 at 12:25 pm
We cannot overlook the significance of being told how many fish were caught. The number 153 reflects how many known species of fish there were...indicating that they were to preach to all the nations. 

Walt Dibbern
Julia, that's a very interesting point. I have never heard it before. Thanks!

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About Today's Author

Janine Forney and her husband, Jim, have been members of FUMC of Des Plaines for 37 years. They live in Des Plaines, have three grown daughters, and three grandchildren.

Janine works as a home care, private duty nurse and enjoys reading, listening to music, talking to her daughter's on the phone, and seeing the latest pictures of the grandchildren.​

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