JESUS CHRIST THE KING!

Time with Jesus - 07 August 2013

Hi all,

A short sentence of eight English words, echoes down the centuries; only eight words; eight words which rattle the cage of every believer who has committed his/her life to Jesus Christ. 

The words are, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me? They could just as well be, “Jim, son of Ernie, do you love Me?” Or “Phyllida, daughter of John, do you love Me?” This question by Jesus applies to every Christian who has ever lived. “Do you love me?”

JOHN 21:15-18 MKJV

15 Then when they broke fast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonah, do you love (Agapaõ) Me more than these? He said to Him, Yes, Lord, You know that I love (phileō) You. He said to him, Feed My lambs.

16 He said to him the second time, Simon, son of Jonah, do you love (Agapaõ) Me? He said to Him, Yes, Lord, You know that I love (phileō) You. He said to him, Feed (shepherd) My sheep.

17 He said to him the third time, Simon, son of Jonah, do you love (phileō) Me? Peter was grieved because He said to him a third time, Do you love (phileō) Me? And he said to Him, Lord, You know all things, You know that I love (phileō) You. Jesus said to him, Feed My sheep.

18 Truly, truly, I say to you, When you were young you girded yourself and walked where you wished. But when you grow old, you shall stretch forth your hands and another shall gird you and carry you where you do not wish.

John records this in his Gospel, as part of the last conversation Jesus had with Peter, before He ascended into heaven. We know it referred to what had happened to Peter. He had denied Jesus 3 times. So he was asked the same question 3 times. 

But there is so much more in this portion of Scripture. Shades of meaning and understanding that can’t be dealt with in this short message. However a couple of factors stand out.

This is not the place for a Greek lesson. Even so if we look at the box on the left we see that the word translated into English as “love” doesn’t do justice to what took place. In vs 15 & 16 Jesus used the word “agapaõ” which is translated “love”. But “agapaõ” is an exceptional kind of love. It’s the “God kind” of love which asks for nothing and gives everything. It’s the sort of love which implies giving your life away, for nothing in return. Something similar to what Peter had said to Jesus in the upper room before the crucifixion. (See John 13:37-38)

Now, everything that had subsequently transpired, demonstrated that Peter had not been willing to lay his life down for Jesus. The best he could offer was brotherly love. (phileō) At last, Peter was honest with Jesus and himself. “Lord, You know I don’t love you enough to lay my life down for You! My actions recently prove that although I would like to. I can’t!”

Now notice the overwhelming love of Jesus for this big brash fisherman as he asks Peter. “Do you love me as a brother?” “You know I do!” replied Peter! He was mortified by this. But the time had come for him to be honest.

Jesus was equally honest. “I know you can’t. Not yet Peter. But the day will come in the future when you will lay down your life for Me. You too will be crucified. Your hands will be stretched out and you will be girded (tied to your cross) thereon. Yes indeed Peter, your love for me has not yet progressed from phileō to agapaõ. But it will. I laid down my life for you. One day you will lay your life down for Me!

That’s your problem and my problem. We would love to boast about what we are willing to do for Him. Unfortunately, in most cases, that’s about it. It’s a big brash boast. However, one day, Jesus may remind us that we have already given our lives to Him. The day may well come, someday in the future, when we will have to “put our money (our lives) where our mouths are!” 

Can I do it? Can you? It’s not something I’m looking forward to. Hopefully, if that time ever comes, we will go to our own crosses obediently, following His example. All the Christian martyrs did!

Shalom,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – 7 August 2013			Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give
©	These devotionals are the intellectual property of Jim Strickland and copyright protected. You are welcome to copy and distribute them to anyone provided it is for non-commercial Christian purposes					©
	INTRODUCTION		DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	JESUS CHRIST THE KING!
Mentioning the Book of Revelation in the 21st Century Western Christian Church is a bit like playing leap-frog in a minefield. The number of different interpretations is extraordinary. For today’s meditation I’d like to take one verse for our mutual edification. What I write here may not be in line with your personal understanding. Nevertheless, let’s look at the expression below – “silence in heaven”. 1 When the Lamb broke the seventh seal on the scroll, there was silence throughout heaven for about half an hour. Revelation 8:1 NLT This statement is exceptional . We know that in the third heaven, the angels, elders and seraphim never stop praising and worshiping God. Did they stop while the lamb broke the seventh seal? In the first heaven, where we dwell, for humanity to be silent is equally uncommon . We have been created sociable, talkative beings. For us, silence is almost impossible. If you’ve ever attended a corporate prayer meeting you will know, most are only silent until they get an opportunity to say something; anything to break the silence. For there to be silence in the first and third heaven for what is described as “half an hour” suggests something stupendous is about to take place. It is a “pregnant” moment full of breathless excitement and keen anticipation, along with a touch of the fear of God. I’m not sure we have anything on earth with which to compare. Perhaps the nearest is the appearance of a dignitary. The crowd is silent for a moment or two before bursting into applause. Reading this morning’s Scriptures gives me a sense of intense anticipation. In each one, Jesus Christ is depicted as someone far greater than we can ever be. Trying to compress these seven Scriptures into one coherent poem is beyond me. So I’ve compiled six short poems which deal with all seven. It’s possible to write so much about each Scripture. They are dynamic and show us many aspects of His perfect, multi-faceted character. The Scripture which impacts me the most is John 21:1-18. There is a fascination about Jesus’ “fish braai” and discussion with Peter The scene is vivid; the dialogue and meaning challenges our thinking about the nature of true Christianity. This portion of Scripture is sometimes described as Peter’s restoration by the Lord. Restoration from his failure by denying Him. There is however, a “pregnancy” of Divine character, that makes us want to fall silent in deep reverence and love for the one who has “broken the fish”. Whether it’s the seventh seal or a fish meal, the feeling of anticipation is awesome. All creation pauses and awaits His instruction. He will give it! Jim & Phyllida Strickland			42 "What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?" They said, "David's son." Matthew 22:42 MSG	“What do you think about the Christ; Who’s Son, think you, is He?” “The Son of David”, they replied. “That’s Who He has to be.” “If He’s the Son of David, why does He call Him Lord?” The only person higher is Him Who is adored. If He was David’s Master, How could He be His Son? It’s clearly quite incongruous when all is said and done. Lift up your heads O ancient gates, ye doors swing open wide; The King of Glory is the One Who wants to come inside. Who is the King of Glory? The Mighty One is He. The Lord Mighty in battle, Who reigns eternally He is the King of Glory. The Lord of Lords most High. Who bears THE NAME upon His robes and also on His thigh. Jesus is the cornerstone, on which creation stands. The universe and everything were fashioned by His hands. The Stone that was rejected, as having little worth, The Lord has indicated is the Greatest on the earth! The Jews are seeking miracles; the Greeks for someone wise. But we declare Christ Crucified! The greatest in God’s eyes. None of them acknowledge that which God has said is true. They think that they have wisdom. But I would say to you, The people who are perishing are foolish and are blind. God’s power and His wisdom they seek and cannot find. It’s sad they are offended by what we all believe. That’s why the King of Glory they never will receive. Peter, do you love me?” “My Lord, You know I do!” “There’s nothing that You do not know. You know my words are true.” “Then feed my Sheep!” said Jesus, “for it is my command. That each of them is nourished as if from my own hand.”
			9 Lift up your heads, you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. 10 Who is he, this King of glory? The LORD Almighty-- he is the King of glory. Psalms 24:9-10 TNIV
			16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. Revelation 19:16 TNIV
			7 This honour belongs to those who believe. But to those who don't believe: "The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone, 1 Peter 2:7 GW
			22 Jews ask for miraculous signs, and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but our message is that Christ was crucified. This offends Jewish people and makes no sense to people who are not Jewish. 24 But to those Jews and Greeks who are called, he is Christ, God's power and God's wisdom. 1 Corinthians 1:22-24 GW
			17 He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, 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 everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep. John 21:17 ESV
			8 Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life. Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, first hand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant--dog dung. I've dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ Philippians 3:8 MSG	The things I thought important are dog dung now to me I heard Him call;  Gave Him my all. The rest is history. Now nothing will divert me, not even painful death My heart will beat  Until we meet When I’ve breathed my last breath.
				Jim Strickland Written 7th August 2012