Its always a little sad when another study ends, and this week I end two. My womens study ended, and now this one will end. A lot of learning, alot of applying, and alot input from many different people.
Often I have wondered through different ideas of why Peter said “I’m going fishing” and then returned to his old life as a fisherman. Through out the commentaries, not many agree with each other which leaves me to the conclusion that no one knows the mind of Peter, except for the Lord.
Take a few minutes and read through John 21.
In John 21:1-8 , Jesus is on the beach looking on to Peter and a few other disciples (similiar to when He approached them the first time), and HE enquires if they have caught anything..HE already knew. (So HE wasn’t asking for himself to know) He instructed them to put the net down on the other side, after their obedience..the net was full. Obedience.
I have always found this interesting that the fish were already cooking on the shore..Jesus already had some, and was serving them yet again. Amazing!
John 21:15-19 ,Then I look at the converstation with Jesus and Peter…three types of Love is asked about..and although many stop here and explain as well as they can…I think again only Peter really knew what the heart point that Jesus was driving..it was all apart of Peters restoration.
John 21:19-25 , This is the part of the chapter that always stings my heart. Jesus tells Peter what is laying ahead for him as he follows HIM, and Peter looks at a fellow believer/follower, and says “What about him?” Isn’t that just like us to concern ourselves with what the Lord is going to do with and through another? Jesus reply was direct, to the point, and may have even sounded harsh..”What is that to you?” I have had my share of times when I wondered the same…and had those same words come back to me..”what is that to you?”.
This chapter sums up some things for me in my daily walk.
1. Obedience, abundance of joy, abundance of whatever I am needing for each moment, requires my obedience to what Jesus has already said…self application.
2. My total restoration is part of the following and loving the Lord as I should, and spreading the gospel of knowing HIM.
3. Don’t make it my concern what others may be doing or not doing, all that matters is that I am going what GOD has told me, and my eyes are on HIM and not any other brothers/sisters, as they have thier own walk with the Lord, and me..I have enough to do what I am supposed to.
4. My posts will never be conclusive as there is just to much to take in and to write..”the world would not be big enough to hold all the many things that Jesus did while here on earth”..Amazing!
(don’t forget to check out the others this week )
ponderings of a princess... 
What I like about this chapter is Jesus emphasis on relationships. He spent this entire chapter making sure that Peter knew that He was loved by Christ. Before He returned to the Father HE wanted Peter to see his mission.
I have enough to do what I am supposed to.
You betcha 🙂 we all need to concern ourselves with God’s plan for us. It’s not a contest like some may think. I pray that I am with HIM where HE wants me to be….
Good stuff sweetheart 😉
“Jesus reply was direct, to the point, and may have even sounded harsh..’What is that to you?’ I have had my share of times when I wondered the same…and had those same words come back to me..’What is that to you?’…”
Yeah. He sure knows how to get my attention. Although we are to help one another along on this journey, I think we can get way too concerned about others’ walks and, as a result, neglect our own. He has a plan for each of us to bring Him glory. Some plans appear more honorable than others, but if we’re fulfilling His will for us, then He will be glorified.
I really don’t want to “go out” with less than full capacity. I mean, I really would love to spend my “golden” years walking and enjoying the great outdoors. But that may not be His will for me…
…it just may not be.
Such a good lesson. It reminds me of one of my favorite parts of The Horse and His Boy by C. S. Lewis (I seem to quote him a lot).
Man, I love that story. I think that was the first place, reading the Chronicles of Narnia as a young girl, that I saw this – personal, I guess you could call it – side of God’s nature. God is not a gossiper. He does not tell everyone else about my business, and He won’t tell me about theirs. But he is right along side me to help, challenge, and teach me. And He will do the same for everyone else. I love our God.
Papa- yes HE wanted Peter to see HIS mission. HE also wants us to see ours. Praying to see it clearly. love you bunches!!! and hug around the neck!
Praise- thanks for being so supportive of me no matter what I am doing..you are the best! 😉
Michelle- HIS will is always perfect..we need to keep looking for what HE is doing in our lows, that make HIM high..exalted..I can’t imaging a greater thing than that. love you princes!
Annie- I love CS Lewis…and i forgot about a horse and his boy..wow..that is exactly the point I was trying to make. I also Love our God! isn’t HE amazing!?!?! love you too!
you nailed it. well, Jesus nailed it “What is that to you?” and it seems that really hit a nerve with all of us here.
and when you said “self application” that cements Jesus’ words of “What is that to you?” at least in my mind. maybe im lookin at wrong. am i?
all i know is i am not the authority over someone elses life. He is. i can only live by example and be who He want ME to be and not worry about what i “feel” others should be. for me to take the position that i may even have an inkling would imply that, not only i can see their hearts – but that i know better than God. um. no. not me.
thank you, and everyone else involved in this study. reading it on a weekly basis has been tremendous for me. i loved how each of you got something different from the chapters. i love how you all connected with each other and supported one another. what a testimony of believers coming together and learning in love and grace with each other!
This has been on my heart for so long, and I think once a person comes to the realization that God is interested in your walk, and talking to you about YOU, the condescending seems mute..
Tam- thanks for all your sweet comments..I just adore you!