Bro. Eddie Ministries Reading Plan: The Word Gives HopeSample

Second chance “Do you love Me more than these?” was the first question. The next time around He asked him, “Do you love Me?” The third time, He asked him still, “Do you love Me?” “Yes, Lord, You know that I love You,” was Peter’s reply the first time he was asked. He gave Jesus the same answer the second time He asked him. Peter was hurt the third time the Lord asked him. So he appealed to Jesus’ divine knowledge as he tried to overcome his guilt. “Lord, You know all things. You know that I love You.” Jesus asked Peter twice if He had agape love. He asked him if he loves Him completely. But Peter answered Him with phileo love. That was all he could give. He could not dare to claim that he loves Him with complete devotion. After all what he did, how could he? He could only be fond of Him, or so he thought. So Jesus used the Greek word Peter used for love the third time He asked him. This time, He wanted to know if Peter even had the affection that he claimed he has for Him. That is why Peter was grieved. He could only appeal to Jesus’ knowledge of all things to prove that he really loves Him. But Jesus did not say, “I love you too” to let Peter feel that He still believes in him. Instead He told him His ultimate call for his life. He commissioned him to shepherd His sheep. (John 21:15-19). He gave him the mandate to lead the Church that was about to be born as soon as He goes back to Heaven. Peter may not have shown at first what it is to completely love and serve God. He may not have learned first the value of calmness as he deals with people. Was it not his misplaced zeal that caused him to strike the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear at the arrest of Jesus? (John 18:11) But Jesus gave him second chance. He restored him to lead the birth of the early churches. What an honor! God’s grace changed Peter. It changed him to learn the love Jesus was asking of Him. It changed him to learn what it means to be humble. It changed him to learn what it means to serve the purposes of God. God made a spectacle of His power at the birth and spread of Christianity. And He put Peter at the cutting edge. He was bold yet gentle. He did not resent his persecutors, the Romans. He even admonished the Christians to honor the king and to submit to his government despite the harsh persecution they suffer at that time. (1 Peter 2:17) Peter did not resist when he was about to be hanged on a cross. Like Jesus, the Romans condemned him to death for a crime he did not commit. But he did not see himself worthy to die the way his Lord had died. History tells he asked the Romans to crucify him upside down. So they did. And he died giving glory to God. But Jesus knew it all along. In fact He told Peter about it ahead. He told him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch your hands, and another will gird you, and carry you where you do not wish.” (John 21:18) Peter died a martyr for Christ. It may not please those who do not believe in Him. But it matters to all who believe. We will remember him as a man given a second chance to serve God. And he did not waste it. Reflection: 1. Is there a sin that you did and made you believe that God could no longer accept you? Why is it so? 2. What do you do with the second chance God gives you? God eagerly waits for those who have backslidden.