Pastor Wes Kinder Do You Love Me?
I know there are a lot of y’all that like to go fishin’ for a good meal. I reckon it’s a good way to pass the time and, at the same time, get somethin’ to good to eat. There ain’t nothin’ better than fried catfish done right! And when an Okie gets to tellin’ how big a fish he caught, well, nobody can top one of those stories.
Y’all that read last week’s article: Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, Zebedee’s sons –James and John, and two others were all fishin’ over on the Sea of Galilee one night. Now keep in mind, Jesus had already gone to the cross and into the grave. And on the third day He had risen. The disciples had all seen Him, and Thomas had already reached out and touched Jesus.
Here’s how it goes: Peter gets up and says, “Boys, let’s go fishin’!” Well, the whole crew got up and followed him out the door and onto the boat. But, can you believe their luck, they didn’t catch a thing the whole night!
Morning was breaking when they came back to shore. A man on the shore called out, “Y’all catch any fish?” “No, not a one!” was the reply by all.
The fella on the shore told them how they ought to stop right where they’re at and just throw their nets out on the righthand side of the boat. And, well, so they did and the nets were so full they couldn’t even haul them in.
John said, “Hey Peter, that fellow on the shore is the Lord! Peter put on his shirt and jumped into the water so as to get to the shore even quicker.
The rest came in on the little boat, dragging their net full of fish alongside. Jesus already had a fire going and some fish were fryin’ in a pan.
Jesus said, “Come and have breakfast.' So, Jesus served them. Enough for the review.
Next, comes the good part where Jesus restores Peter. After breakfast, Jesus confronts Peter publicly before the rest of the disciples. You may remember back before Jesus went to the cross that John had told Jesus He could always count on him! And Jesus told him that before the rooster crows, you will have denied me three times.
Peter knew he had let down the Boss! He didn’t know how to make it better. But Jesus did.
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.' 'Tend My lambs'.
Now, we need to understand Jesus asked him if he agape loved him. But Peter replied that He phileo loved him. Agape love is a complete sacrificial love, and phileo is a brotherly liking sort of love. Jesus gave him a ministry to take care of the little ones.
Jesus asked him again the same way, and again Peter responded with phileo love. Jesus told him to shepherd the flock.
But the third time, Jesus asked him, “Do you phileo love me?” John was hurt. And he replied And he said to Him, 'Lord, You know all things; You know that I (agape) love You.' Jesus told him to feed the flock. Peter had failed three times and Jesus restored him to not only be an effective disciple, but he restored him to lead His church.
If you know Jesus as Lord then also know that when you mess up, He desires to restore you. But, like Peter, you must be willing. Gone fishin’ for the Lord!
Choose Jesus, choose life! And find a Bible believin’ church where you “fit in” and know, grow, and follow Christ! Tell others! See y’all at church and keep PRAYIN’ for HIS HARVEST! And y’all please KEEP PRAYIN’ for RAIN! It keeps the drought away! Amen.