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John 21:18&19, “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.” When Jesus predicted that Peter would have
a violent death, was that good news or bad news? For Peter,
that was the greatest news that Jesus could ever give because
He asked Peter, “Do you love Me enough to die for Me?” Peter
couldn’t answer. And when you can’t answer, Jesus answers
for you. Jesus promised Peter that He would never deny Him
again. That was the heart of our Lord Jesus.
How can I keep the Great Commission? Is this too
simple; live and love Jesus? That’s the Great Commission. He
gave us that chapter to show us the Great Commission. He
didn’t say, “Do you have financial support.” He didn’t say,
“Did you go to Bible School or to seminary?” He didn’t say,
“Do you have a love for souls?” He didn’t ask, “Do you have
the correct spiritual gifts?” He didn’t say, “Do you have a call
to the ministry?” He didn’t say, “Do you have a board behind
you to support you?” He didn’t say, “Do you have the
commitment to be a missionary?” He just said, “Do you love
Me?”
If you are ever going to fulfill the Great Commission, just
live and love Jesus. As you live, God will bring the fish to you.
As you love Jesus, you will support and help the people of God.
Live and love Jesus…
Our heavenly Father, thank You for John 21. Oh, how
we learn about how to fulfill the Great Commission! We know
that we’re not adequate. We know that You are adequate. We
know that You don’t need us but You want to use us. Teach us
just to live as we wait to meet the risen Savior. Then, Lord,
shed Your love abroad in our heart that we might evermore fall
in love with Jesus. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen