The Jesus Bible Reading Plan / TRUE LOVE

The Jesus Bible Reading Plan

Day 357 of 365 TRUE LOVE Even though the disciples had seen the resurrected Jesus, they did not really know what they were supposed to do next. For three years they had been following Jesus and carrying out his ministry, but now Jesus was not with them on a regular basis. That being the case, it only made sense for the disciples to return to what they knew: fishing. Peter, in particular, had not seen Jesus for more than a few moments since he had denied knowing him three times in Jesus' hour of greatest need (Mt 26:69 - 75; Lk 22:54 - 62; Jn 18:15 - 27). Usually when a person knows that they have hurt someone, or done something to wrong someone, they are not eager to see that person. Yet Peter was so confident in Jesus' love and forgiveness that as soon as he realized it was Jesus standing on the shore, he jumped from the boat and swam to shore so that he could be face to face with his Lord. There Jesus lovingly and gently reinstated his bold disciple and went on to use him greatly for the sake of his kingdom. This story reminds all believers that those who repent of the pain they have caused Jesus and others in the past can have full confidence that his arms of grace are open to all who are willing to run into them. Jesus, thank you for restoring Peter and using him mightily. Thank you for restoring me, and please use me too. I want to do good things for you. Amen. John 21:15-19 NASB 15 So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Tend My lambs."  16 He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Shepherd My sheep."  17 He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, 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, "Tend My sheep. Our Times Are in His Hand 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go. "  19 Now this He said, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, "Follow Me!"