“OUR DOINGS” (11/8/18)
“When they had eaten, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these [others do—with reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion, as one loves the Father]? He said to Him, Yes, Lord, You know that I love You [that I have deep, instinctive, personal affection for You, as for a close friend]. He said to him, Feed My lambs. Again He said to him the second time, Simon, son of John, do you love Me [with reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion, as one loves the Father]? He said to Him, Yes, Lord, You know that I love You [that I have a deep, instinctive, personal affection for You, as for a close friend]. He said to him, Shepherd (tend) My sheep. He said to him the third time, Simon, son of John, do you love Me [with a deep, instinctive, personal affection for Me, as for a close friend]? Peter was grieved (was saddened and hurt) that He should ask him the third time, Do you love Me? And he said to Him, Lord, You know everything; You know that I love You [that I have a deep, instinctive, personal affection for You, as for a close friend]. Jesus said to him, Feed My sheep.” (John 21:15-17 AMPC)
Throughout life, we have heard these words, “Say what you mean and do what you say.” There is a twofold lesson in this saying. One lesson refers to our words and the second refers to our actions or “doings.” In Jesus’ interaction with Peter, there are many explanations given as to why Jesus asks Peter “Do you love me?” three times. Jesus might have done asked Peter the question three times to counter the three times that Peter had denied Jesus and possibly cause Peter to consciously reflect on avoiding such failures as he commits to going forward in a faithful way to perform his “doings” for the sake of the kingdom. It is also possible that Jesus’ intent, based on the word Jesus uses for “love” and the word Peter uses for “love,” as you can see in the translation above, was to move Peter to the point where he recognized that Jesus wanted the highest form of love from Peter; a love that would certainly prompt him to carry out his assignment regarding the lambs and the sheep. Still, another explanation as to why Jesus posed the question three times was to relay the fact that Peter would have to use a variety of approaches and techniques in dealing with lambs and sheep. As with animals, the people of God would have to be fed differently, depending on their maturity. And, while both needed feeding, all would need to be tended to in a way that would ensure their safe keeping and sure protection. Oh, there could be many other reasons and surely, we can be enlightened by all of them that the Holy Spirit confirms for us. But I go back to the contrast between words and “doings” on this day. When a spouse asks her husband, “Do you love me?” in two consecutive questions, she probably does not just want to hear words. She wants to see some of the “do what you say” or, in other words, some “doings.” If he is asked over and over, that just might be a clue that the husband needs to be focusing on the “doings” that go along with the words that confirm his love. “Doings” have to match the words! You, and me too, we need to focus on the “doings” that go along with our words, in many areas of life. For example, if you have been saying, “That’s in the past”, leave it there, let it go and focus on the “doings;” make your words mean something and go forward in life. If you say you love the Lord and your neighbor, focus on the “doings” that ensure your love for God is seen in your discipleship and your love for your neighbor is seen in your deeds. If you say, I want to be one of His disciples, get busy today focusing on the “doings” better than you have, even as you did yesterday, and in accordance with the words in our closing text. Focus on some “doings” today! Have a good one!
“And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests], and take up his cross daily [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me].” (Luke 9:23 AMP)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King