Live to Love Scripture Encouragement

John 21:15.2. 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."
Today I direct our attention to the words used for love. Jesus asked Simon if he loved Him with agape love. Agape love is an unconditional, all out love that demonstrates value, esteem, and faithfulness. An appropriate question given Simon’s denials. Simon answered that he loved Him with phileo love, a warm, brotherly love.
Jesus was seemingly aiming to help Simon Peter settle the issue of his love for Him. We also need to have that settled in our hearts if we are to partner with Jesus in building His kingdom. What kind of love do we have for Him? Is it settled?
My spiritual mentor has often reminded me that two things are foundational to walking with Jesus. It must be settled in our hearts that God loves us and that we love Him.

Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com

John 21:15 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."
Names are noteworthy. When Jesus called Simon Peter by his old name, Simon, He was addressing what Simon used to be in the flesh. For instance, Mark 14:37-38 “And He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, ‘Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? Keep watching and praying that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.’" Luke 22:31 "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat.”
Surely Simon didn’t miss Jesus’ meaning that when he denied Him, he was identifying with his old self. So Simon knew Jesus was engaging him with a full understanding of the root of his failure. He had lapsed back into self-protection. The point is that God’s love has overcome the failures and sins of the flesh. It was true for Simon Peter and is also true for all who believe in Jesus.
He knows everything about us, and He still loves us. That love engages us for our highest good, just like it did Simon. We can be encouraged today that regardless of how we have failed Jesus, His love is the basis of our relationship and our relationship with others.

Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com

John 21:14 This is now the third time that Jesus was manifested to the disciples, after He was raised from the dead.
Although this was the fifth appearance of Jesus since His resurrection, it was the third to the disciples as a group. This settled the question, “Who is Jesus?” These three times testify to this great truth or reality. Jesus lives. Jesus, is the Son of God. He is the way, the truth, and the life, and no one comes to the Father except through Him.
May this verse encourage us today again to declare to ourselves who Jesus is. We may also have opportunities today to declare Him to others. Everything in our lives rests on this great truth. Jesus is our life! He lives. He lives in us. We are one with Him and today He plans to love people through us. He has orchestrated our days and there is a queue of people lined up who will be brought into the presence of Jesus. They will show up one at a time as we go through our day. The Father is giving them to Jesus so that He can love them and reveal to them that He lives. For many of these people, it will be one of many times they have been in the presence of Jesus, but were prevented from recognizing Him. Perhaps today, their eyes will be opened, and they will have an encounter with the resurrected Jesus in us.
Father, manifest Your Son in and through us today. You open the eyes of Your disciples to see and know You. May You do that today. Let us see You and may the world in which we walk see that You live. Amen.

Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com

John 21:13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and the fish likewise.
My understanding of middle-eastern culture is that hospitality is an incredibly high value. If a guest came, food and drink were offered. It was expected as a display of honor. To not do so was to shame the guests and would be considered shameful of the host. The earth is the Lord’s. It’s His house, and that morning on the beach, He wanted to refresh them after their fishing adventure. What kindness.
This encourages us to be kind also. One aspect of love is hospitality—kindness—sharing what You have with others as God brings them into your path or your home. Sometimes our kindness may be planned and other times it may be random. Regardless, let’s just let this idea of kindness encourage us to be looking for opportunities to be kind to those God puts in our lives today. What do you have that you can share with your wife, husband, children, parents, friends, and work associates?
Jesus, show us how You want to be kind to those You put in our lives today, for Your glory. Amen.

Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com

John 21:12 Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." None of the disciples ventured to question Him, "Who are You?" knowing that it was the Lord.
John wanted his readers to know for certain that this was an encounter with the resurrected Jesus. Therefore he stated uncategorically that they knew that it was the Lord. The Holy Spirit inspired John, so we can know this comment about this encounter is important for us. He wrote these things so we might believe that Jesus is the Christ and that in His name we may have life. What encouragement can we draw from this?
Even though we may believe and know the Lord, we can’t be encouraged enough. We need a daily reminder of who Jesus is because our faith will be tested today. Satan and the world, who hate the light, may be allowed to express that hatred in the affairs of your life, and then a thought may flash through your mind. Is Jesus who He said He was? Is Jesus really Lord of all?
May we receive this encouragement with open hearts. Jesus, we don’t question who You are. We know You are the Lord, no matter what happens today. We worship You as the Lord of creation and the Lord of our lives. We know You care for us and want to be with us and break bread with us—fellowship with us. That’s amazing and humbling! Fill us with the awareness and reality of what we know about You today. Thank You for inviting us to eat and fellowship with You. Amen.

Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com