Do You Know the Story About Peter?

Good morning,

In the Bible, do you know the story of Peter told in the book of John? It is about Peter telling Jesus at the last supper that he would die for Him! He was the disciple that thought he was the most devoted, strongest follower of all. So, can you imagine his shame, defeated attitude, complete hatred of himself for being so weak when faced with being arrested with Jesus? He instead denied he even knew Jesus–not once, not twice, but three times!!! He did not go to the place where Jesus was hanging on the cross dying, he hid! In his mind, he completely failed this man he loved so much. Wow. Are you wondering, what did Jesus do?

Jesus found Peter fishing, not catching anything. Jesus shouted to him to put his net on the other side of the boat. He caught a huge load of fish, jumped in the water and swam to Jesus, who had made a lunch for him on the shore. When Peter got to Jesus, He only asked Peter one question: “Do you love me?” Peter said, “Yes.” It was the only question Peter could say yes to. He had done so many things that Jesus could have been mad about. He had completely professed to be one thing and when push came to shove, Peter was not who he thought he was. Jesus did not talk about, or even comment on, Peter’s, shall I call them “shortcomings” as a friend and follower.  He asked Peter three times if he loved him, restoring Peter, forgiving Peter, encouraging Peter, giving him grace to shake it off and now do something really big and lead his sheep. Lead his followers with mercy, truth, and grace.

Jesus said in John 15:17: This is what I command you: that you love one another.

Maybe we have to do like Jesus and just ask someone we are mad at, “Do you love me?” If you can’t ask them that direct question, then ask yourself, “Do I love people, or this person?” Don’t bring up all the reasons you are offended, angry, let down, hurt, disgusted, enraged… Just ask the question and then the hard part comes… stop the hate tape! The hate tape is what you play over and over, either in your mind or on the internet or on TV, radio, in a letter, or from your past… that keeps you worked up.

We hired a painter a few years ago who was a complete mess. His health was failing, he was agitated, and smoked constantly. He listened to talk radio all day that agreed with his reasons to hate former President Obama. For eight years, he fed why, how, because he hated him. One day I looked at him and said, “Why don’t you turn the radio off or listen to something you like?” He looked at me like I had two heads. He was so conditioned to the torment and his fight, he would never do that. Sadly, no good came out of his rage. Obama stayed president, the radio show stayed in business, and he lost his health, sense of well-being, and friends. No one wanted to listen to his constant rage and opinion any more.

I saw a Martin Luther King quote last week: “I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.”

When we apply the words in the Bible and make them our authority, we choose the help of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Their words are life, peace, love, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. We are called to: not live offended, pray for people we don’t like, serve when we feel selfish, and forgive because we have been forgiven. Funny, when we do that we prosper internally, in our spirit, our mind, and in our body!!

Love you, Teri