December 26 – Yes, Lord. You Know I Love You

So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He  said to him, "Tend My lambs." He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Shepherd My sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus said to him, "Tend My sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go." Now this He said, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, "Follow Me!" Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them; the one who also had leaned back on His bosom at the supper and said, "Lord, who is the one who betrays You?" John 21:15-20 

Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him. Of course Jesus knew the answer before He asked…but He was testing Peter. Can’t you just imagine that Peter was squirming just a little remembering that he had denied Jesus three times. Now he was being directed to “Tend and Shepherd my sheep.” Sheep are not especially wise little animals…they tend to follow the leader. So Jesus was telling Peter to take care of His sheep—to wisely lead them down the path they should go. And who are Jesus’ sheep? His believers—then and now. 

Do you think that people who just want to be entertained continually by smart phones, the internet, TV, movies, and sports programs are like sheep who are easily led astray? I’m no different from anyone else hooked on internet social media or Netflix. It is so easy to get sucked in and waste hours chatting or perusing Pinterest board posts. I rationalize that life can’t be productive every minute—and I just need some down time…but really. What does it take for people to make wise decisions of their own? I frequently pray for my children and grandchildren to make wise decisions every day. Wisdom is the key. With 216 occurrences in the Bible (NASB) it can be found frequently especially in verses in Psalms and Proverbs.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments; His praise endures forever. Psalm 111:10

The fear (respect) of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7

For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 2:6

How blessed is the man who finds wisdom and the man who gains understanding. Proverbs 3:13

Wisdom—that’s the key. Find wisdom and understanding—and sometimes that might be found in Google searches, but more often Godly wisdom is found in reading His word—feasting once again on Jesus’ red letter words or in the wisdom found in Psalms and Proverbs. Are you seeking wisdom? Where do you find it? 

Lord, now that we are beyond the Christmas day of this year, help us to have wisdom in how you want us to live in the coming new year. Please give us wisdom and understanding as we love you and tend your sheep

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB).