Living Words
"Living Words" is a weekly podcast that explores the transformative power of scripture across a diverse range of Biblical books, guided by insightful devotionals from the author's own works. Each episode seeks to deepen faith and understanding, connecting listeners with the enduring wisdom and relevance of the Bible in their daily lives.
Living Words
In His Footsteps Week 30: Forty Days
Ever wondered how past mistakes could lay the foundation for powerful leadership? On the Living Words podcast, I promise you'll gain profound insight into the journey of Peter, whose story of denial and redemption reveals how love and forgiveness form the bedrock of genuine Christian leadership. By examining John 21:15-25, we explore how Jesus' unwavering grace transforms failure into a renewed mission, inviting all to embrace restoration with humility and compassion. Through Peter's public reaffirmation of love, Jesus illustrates that our missteps are not the end but rather the beginning of a new purpose. Tune in to discover how this narrative encourages us to seek forgiveness, assuring us that Jesus' grace is always ready to offer new beginnings.
As we approach the significant event of the Ascension in week 31, immerse yourself in a reflection of unconditional forgiveness and belief. Jesus' love knows no bounds, transcending every wrongdoing except unbelief, calling us to nurture a deeper, more profound relationship with Him. This episode sheds light on the teachings of Jesus during the 40 days post-resurrection and how they prepared His disciples to spread the gospel with love and compassion. By embracing this message, we are reminded that His love can overcome any feelings of unworthiness or unforgiveness, inspiring us to lead and nurture others with the same grace and compassion. Join us to be encouraged and uplifted by the assurance of new beginnings grounded in love.
Get a copy of the In His Footsteps devotional here.
Good morning, happy Sabbath. This is Charles. I'm your host this morning. It's week 30 of In His Footsteps. This is the Living Words podcast. Thank you for joining me, and this is going to be a brief devotional. This week we are covering it's week 30, like I just said, and it's the 40 days of teaching. We know that Yeshua Jesus, he rose on the third day, but he didn't ascend until 40 days later and 10 days after he ascended he gave the Holy Spirit in Jerusalem on Shavuot, the day of Pentecost, 50 weeks from his resurrection.
Speaker 1:The text is John 21, 15-25, and this presents a powerful narrative for Peter's restoration. After his three denials of Jesus, jesus graciously gives Peter the opportunity to publicly affirm him three times, mirroring his earlier denials, and commissions him to lead and care for his followers. Commissions him to lead and care for his followers. This highlights that failure is not final in God's kingdom. That failure is not final in God's kingdom. Peter's brokenness becomes the foundation for his role as a shepherd of the early church. The restoration is part of a broader 40-day period where Jesus, through multiple appearances, prepares his disciples for their mission to spread the gospel and lead the church. John 21, 15-25 takes place after the resurrection during one of the appearances. So, after Peter's three denials, the moment serves as a significant act of restoration. Peter was burdened with his guilt and he's given the opportunity to publicly reaffirm his love. This passage is part of that. 40 days he repeatedly appeared to his disciples. He taught them and prepared them for their mission. But in this specific encounter he not only restores Peter but commissions him to feed my sheep, which symbolizes Peter's role as a spiritual leader of the early church. Some key themes and theological significance were the restoration and forgiveness, which is Peter's threefold affirmation of love for Jesus, mirroring his earlier threefold denial, which showcases Jesus' profound forgiveness and grace.
Speaker 1:The passage demonstrates that no failure is too great for Christ's redemptive power, reminding us that even on our weakest moments we can be restored to our purpose. Now the theme is love is the foundation of leadership. The repeated question of Jesus, do you love me? Emphasizes that Christian leadership is grounded in love. It is this love that drove Peter and the disciples to serve, care and guide others in their journey. The call to shepherd, jesus' command to feed my sheep highlights the nature of spiritual leadership. In God's kingdom, leadership is not about authority or control, but about nurturing and guiding others in their faith. Peter's restoration reflects the broader responsibility of Christian leaders to care for their communities with humility and compassion. And finally, there's preparation for mission.
Speaker 1:The passage is part of a broader 40-day period where Jesus prepared the disciples for a future mission. His appearances during those days, including this moment with Peter, were vital in empowering and instructing the disciples to carry out the mission of spreading the gospel. One of the lessons is failure is not final in Christ. Peter's restoration vividly illustrates that, despite great failure, the grace of God offers new beginnings. After Peter's three denials, jesus offered him three opportunities to reaffirm that love. The threefold affirmation mirrored his earlier denials, symbolizing complete restoration. And then he doesn't just forgive him, but he commissions him feed my sheep. This shows the failure does not disqualify us from serving God. Instead, when we turn back to him in love and repentance, he renews our calling and purpose. His grace defines Peter's future, reminds us that no mistake is beyond redemption. Our past truly does not dictate our destiny when it comes to Jesus, yeshua and true leadership is rooted in love.
Speaker 1:In John 21, 15-17, jesus repeatedly asked him Do you love me? Before commanding him to feed the lambs. The exchange underscored that the foundation is love, not obligation or ambition. The questioning by Jesus highlighted that genuine service to others must flow from the heart that is deeply devoted to him. Each time Peter affirmed his love, jesus entrusted him with the responsibility of shepherding the flock. Showing the leadership in God's kingdom is not about authority, but about nurturing and caring. He does not emphasize Peter's skills, knowledge or past mistakes. He focuses on the most important quality love. By repeatedly questioning that love, jesus made it clear that love is the essential qualification for leadership. Love for him becomes the driving force behind service and ministry. It is not motivated by duty, pride or position, but by deep personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Speaker 1:True leadership in the kingdom involves humble, sacrificial care for others, which is modeled after the love of Christ himself. The passage revealed that love for Jesus must be the root of all leadership and ministry, for which genuine care and guidance flow. And then restoration leads to responsibility. After Peter's threefold affirmation of love, he's immediately given the responsibility to feed my lambs. The progression shows that restoration is not just about forgiveness, but also about being entrusted with greater responsibilities. Peter, who had denied him three times, is now called to shepherd and care for his followers, having a vital role in the early church. So Peter's past failure was not a barrier to future mission. Instead, it became the very context in which he was entrusted with the care of the flock. Grace and restoration Peter experienced are the foundation of the new role as the leader of the church. It demonstrates that when Christ heals and restores us, it is not for our own sake, but that we may be equipped to serve others in his name.
Speaker 1:Here's some questions. How does Peter's restoration by Jesus inspire you to seek forgiveness and restoration in your own life? I think that it should inspire us, because it was a complete forgiveness. So when you seek forgiveness after you've made some mistake, no matter how bad, it doesn't matter. You come to Jesus and he will restore you, totally forgive you. He says if we confess our sins to him and repent, he's faithful to forgive us. So let this example of the restoration of Peter, after his public denials of the man that he called his master, was completely restored and he was given a greater, higher purpose.
Speaker 1:So what does the question do you love me? Reveal about the importance of love as the foundation of your service? Do you love me? That's all that matters. That's all Jesus is really interested in in your life is do you love me. That's all that matters. That's all Jesus is really interested in in your life is do you love him? And that's really the only way you can know him. So what is love?
Speaker 1:Love isn't always a feeling. Love is guided by actions too how you care for somebody, how you relate to them, especially like in a marriage situation. If you're married, how do you care for your wife? Maybe you've been married for 50 years or 40 years, and the love is much different. It's totally matured and deepened into something much more than just sex or physical attraction. Because, believe me, at 60 and 70 years old you're not that attractive. Because, believe me, at 60 and 70 years old you're not that attractive. Some people are, maybe not me, but you know it goes beyond just feelings and emotions. Love is and that's just failure love and you have gape. Love, which is God love. It transcends even that. What steps can you take to deepen your love for him? Spend more time in the word, spend more time in prayer. Seek ways to feed his sheep, seek ways where you might be useful to his kingdom. That's how you can deepen your love.
Speaker 1:Here's some suggested prayers. This is a prayer for restoration and renewed commitment. Heavenly Father, I come before you seeking your grace and mercy. I acknowledge my shortcomings and the times I have fallen short of your will. Just as you restored Peter, I ask for your forgiveness and healing in my life. Restore me, lord, and renew my heart with a deeper love for you. Strengthen my faith and commitment to follow your calling. Help me to walk in your ways with a renewed sense of purpose, ready to care for and serve those you have placed in my life. May my life be a reflection of your grace, love and truth In Jesus' name. Amen. Love and truth In Jesus' name. Amen and a prayer for love-driven service.
Speaker 1:Lord Jesus, I thank you for your unending love and example you've set for us in serving others. And just as you asked, peter, do you love me? I ask that you fill my heart with a deep and abiding love for you. May that love be the driving force behind everything I do. Teach me to serve others with humility, compassion and grace, just as you have served us. Help me to lead, not by authority but by love, reflecting your heart in every action. Strengthen me to care for those entrusted to me with the same devotion you showed to your flock. Amen, and a prayer for faithfulness in tending Christ's flock. Holy Spirit, guide me as I seek to faithfully tend to those you have placed in my care. Fill me with wisdom and strength that I may serve with dedication and love. Empower me to shepherd others with the compassion and grace of Christ, always aware of their needs and sensitive to your leading. Keep my heart steadfast and faithful in this calling, never wavering in my commitment to care for your flock. Let your presence be my constant guide as I seek to fulfill the sacred responsibility with humility and devotion. Amen.
Speaker 1:The next week is week 31, the Ascension, and I hope this has been an enjoyable few minutes in the Word and contemplating the things of Jesus. I hope that it helps you to have a deeper relationship and to understand His love transcends any ill, any bad thing that you ever could do, any action that you think unforgivable. It's not. There's nothing that's unforgivable. The only thing that's unforgivable is unbelief. So as long as you believe, as long as you confess and repent, you'll be forgiven Until next time.
