ESOCS Devotional 17 August 2022
TEXT: JOHN 21:15-19
MEMORY VERSE: “So when they had dined, Jesus saith Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto Him, yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, feed my lambs.” John 21:15 KJV
0 And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done. Then He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. 11 But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing. 12 When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted lace ”
There are things certain people consider very important to them, such things they do not release to just anybody but people they trust and know love them and won’t harm them. I once had a friend who operated a business that required balancing account every day. He would sit with the young man he employed to handle the business to balance account, to see if there were problems. Occasionally, when he needed to travel out of town he would hand over this work to his friend, even though he had a brother and sisters related by blood. He believed his friend loved him so much and won’t hurt him.
In today’s text, we see Jesus presenting a serious question to Peter: Do you love me? This was the pre-condition for Peter to receive the ministry and commission to feed the lambs and the sheep. This work is so dear to the Saviour’s heart that He cannot commit it to just anybody but people He is sure love Him. You will agree, as Peter later saw, that feeding the lambs and sheep is not an easy task at all. The lambs are the young of the sheep. Sometimes, they can’t even help themselves. This was the kind of work Jesus gave to Peter; and He knew that only love could sustain him in it. If you have ever been involved in feeding God’s flock, only love for Him indeed constrains you to move on at some points.
We all need to pause and answer this question sincerely, we can’t be presumptuous. Do you love Him? Is love for Him your true motivation for service or something else? If the praises of men cease, will you still serve? When the very people you are trying to feed turn back at you, do you remain faithful in service or you do you turn away?
- Take a moment to ask the Lord to fill your heart with His love.
- Ask for forgiveness if something else has been you motivation.
Read Other ESOCS Devotional here
FURTHER READING: Deuteronomy 10:1-11; Ezekiel 44:1-12; Hebrews 9:15-28
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ESOCS Devotional 17 August 2022
