Page 59 - Livin Light Issue 81

Wednesday August 9 - What is love?
“Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” John 21:15
Three times Peter denied Jesus, and three times Jesus asks Peter, “Do you love me?”, creating full opportunity for repentance – but it is more than that.
In the Greek of the New Testament text, there are seven words for love, each describing a different expression of love, including Eros (lust or sexual pleasure) and Philautia (compassionate self-love).
Jesus questions Peter using Agape, which is selfless, unconditional love: “Do you agape me, Peter?” Peter responds, “Lord, you know that I philia you.” Philia is the love word for an authentic, bonded friend. Again, Jesus asks, “Do you agape me, Peter?” Again, Peter responds with philia. A third time Jesus asks, now using Peter’s word: “Do you philia me, Peter?” Exasperated, Peter admits he is unsure if he really loves Jesus, saying “You know, Lord!”
What a bind Peter is in! He has denied Jesus, wept bitterly, run to him on first sight through his gut instinct, but has now lost his confidence under cross-examination.
Our mistakes can undo our confidence before God. It is therefore vital that we understand what Peter meant, in saying “You know, Lord.” At the point of a crisis of confidence in your relationship with God, trust God and his mercy, not your own analysis. ‘If we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself’ (2 Timothy 2:13).
Father, I abandon myself to your love, not relying on the greatness of my love. You have loved me with an everlasting love. Thank you. Amen.
Thursday August 10 - Get on with it!
“Feed my sheep. John 21:15,16,17
Patients entering the ‘high secure’ forensic mental health setting will have an average stay of eight years. From there, it will be ‘medium secure’ for a few years, then ‘low secure’ for a few years, before arriving at some kind of supported living in community. Extraordinary, I know, and some take much longer than this.
Our Christian journey of restoration is also a lifetime’s work. Sadly, there are times when, just as some patients experience, our journey is extended, whether by relapse, further offences, self-harm, or disengagement from the recovery process.
The Israelites turned a four-day journey out of Egypt into a forty-year wander in the desert! A lack of confidence made them reject the ‘can do’ report of Joshua and Caleb (Numbers 13-14), diverting the purposes of God for their journey. Similarly, in 1 Kings 19 Elijah retreats to a cave, fearing that everyone has rejected God and that they will kill him.
Like Jesus with Peter, God asks Elijah some questions (“What are you doing here?” – 1 Kings 19:9) but ultimately tells him to get on with it, to go back the way he came and anoint a group of people. Jesus’ response to Peter is simply to say, “Get on with it! Feed my sheep. Take care of my sheep. Feed my sheep.”
The devil and our own insecurities will have us navel-gazing forever. Why? Because then we will not be getting on with God’s business!
Father, I’m going to get on with it. What do you want me to do? Amen.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
PRAYER FOR TODAY
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