John 21 Devotions by Stephen Taylor

John 21:15

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."

This is a scene that takes place on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. Peter, having already denied Christ some few days earlier, is now confronted and comforted by the One he had denied. We can start to see the heart-change that has happened in Peter by the way he answers Christ. Jesus says, "do you love me more than these?" and Peter answers with meekness and humility. He is no longer trying to prove He loves Christ the most or the best but just wants Him to know that he loves Him.

The Holy Spirit showed me how subtle yet powerful this is and how it points to a heart-change in Peter. How a man once bent on being the best, brightest, and bravest in the room could end up being content just being in the room, as long as Christ was there. Powerful truth, my friends!

I think Peter and I have something else in common: after our greatest falls came our greatest growth. I look at Peter and see a great stumble and sin, yet I see a great heart-change and closeness to Christ come out of it. I can look back at my own life and see the same thing! This isn't to say that it's something either of us did but rather His love, mercy, and grace that shined through in those darkest of nights.

We can't save ourselves, and we can't change ourselves, but what we can change is Who is sitting on the throne of our heart, and that, my friends, will change our lives! If you have fallen, get up; if you have walked away, come back; if you have denied there even is a Christ, then renounce that choice and receive Him today! Repentance equals freedom, not condemnation!

Acts 2:38,39- Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call."

God bless! I love you all, but His love brings the lost sheep home! Glory, honor, and praise now and forever to Papa God, Jesus Christ our King, and the Holy Spirit!

 

John 21:19

Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then He said to him, "Follow me!"

Jesus is teaching Peter and us that no matter what we go through, we must follow Christ. The difficulty of a situation does not determine how we can respond. It does not give us a free pass to dishonor our God just because it's hard or uncomfortable. We are called to follow Christ regardless of what we're going through. Is this easy? No, but is it possible and commanded? Yes! Jesus tells Peter he will go a way of suffering that he will not like, nor will it be pleasant, but it is necessary for Peter to walk in faith and obedience by following Him through it. Would we do the same?

John 21:22- Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me."

A couple of verses later, Jesus is back at it, teaching us again about following Him. He basically tells Peter that it doesn't matter what anyone else is doing, but it matters what you are doing. You are to follow me, regardless if you do it alone or with a group of people. Our salvation is individual. We can't save anyone, and we can't receive anyone else's salvation. We must each follow Christ from our hearts. Let's not take this the wrong way because we are called to meet together as the Body of Christ, but when it comes down to it, our walk with Christ must be personal and intimate between the King and us! It starts there and then flows out, not the other way around.

Luke 14:27- "And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple."

Christ laid it out plainly for Peter and for us; how are we doing with it? Carrying our cross to the glory of God, or have we left it somewhere along the way? Return to the open arms of the King and follow Him today!

God bless! I love you all, but His love made it all possible! Glory, honor, and praise now and forever to Papa God, Jesus Christ our King, and the Holy Spirit!