Confidence Through Uncertainty

Psalm 23

The LORD is My Shepherd

Warm Easter greetings to you!

We have come to 40+ days of Movement Control Order [MCO]! We should say well done to one another and give thanks to Almighty God for keeping us in this journey – at least it is not 40 years like the wilderness wondering of Israel when they exited Egypt!

Psalm 23 is a time-tested masterpiece which can not only outlast 40 days but even beyond 4,000 years, having ministered to millions! The only problem is, like a precious portrait hanging on our living room wall it, can become “invisible” with time.

I thank the Lord that I was moved by the Holy Spirit to “re-memorize” this psalm of David [which I had first done about 45 years ago!] on the 18 March when the MCO kicked in. The power and presence of who our risen and “in total control” Good Shepherd - became so real once again through Psalm 23.

This refreshing reality of the Good Shepherd for our situation today comes through the ageless yet “just as real for today” truths and promises contained in this psalm 23 because they come from the eternal, personal and unchanging God.

Let me share a few key thoughts on it.

Firstly, we note “The Mix ‘Geography’ of Psalm 23”

With fresh eyes, we notice the scenic streams, the green meadows [v 2] but also “the valley of the shadow of death” [v 4].

David declares - “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil.”

This is a dangerous dark valley concealing unseen man-eating predators and evil men. It is a place that haunts the imagination and accelerate the heart beat with fear and tenseness, just like the COVID-19 pandemic [globally with more than 3 mil infections and more than 200,000 deaths as on 20 April 2020].

But well-being and comfort invade even such a place because of the conquering presence of the Shepherd - which makes this psalm the most beloved throughout history.

The “mix geography” of different situations and scenarios in each of our lives, whether young or old, is actual and unavoidable.

Even in the terrain of the “COVID-19 valley shadow of death”, our risen Lord is in control! Our Great Shepherd [Hebrews 13:20] is in charge of all the mixed and total geography of life, just as the beauty of the mixed and total geography of the physical world we see today is made by Him!

Secondly, we note “The Master of the Unwanted Route in Psalm 23”

Of our own, we would want to avoid this path of deathly shadows [v 4]; BUT then we lose sight of Who leads us into such a valley. Even dumb sheep naturally dodge walking into dangerous unlit shadowy places. Dark paths are where sheep become “lamb chops”!

When life overpowers us, we entertain doubts in our heart that say — if we are truly his — we would never have to travel into such heart shattering fear filled places. But David thinks otherwise.

When he writes, “I shall fear no evil for you are with me,” David is trustingly confident that his Shepherd meant for him to pass this way. His Good Shepherd is not one that is scratching his head wondering and despairing whether they took a wrong turn. How important to realize this!

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies [v 5].”

His Good Shepherd, our Good Shepherd, makes his people dine in front of those who seek their life [including invisible viruses]. The Good Shepherd assuredly demonstrates that He is both personally present and powerfully prepared for this “unwanted route” taken.

Even in the shadows the vulnerable sheep can see his Good Shepherd armed - “Your rod and your staff they comfort me.” [v4].

David realized that he cannot spot all the dangers ahead of him. But he could see the Good Shepherd is with him – armed and ready to defend him with His own life [John 10:14-15] — so why should he fear?

Lastly, it is important that one particular word should be not lost in David’s familiar but powerfully well-chosen expression:

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death” [v 4].

He leads through – the sheep will not be stuck there as a final destination is in store. This unwanted dark valley was not the final destination; the haunting deep darkness that seems to last for ages has a time limit – it was not his final resting place. It was only part of the unwelcome route leading elsewhere.

Surrounded by peril, predators, and uncertainty, David knows that he will walk through it with the Good Shepherd, leading him.

Where is the final destination?

“And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever” [v 6].

Christ’s presence through all the “mixed geography” of our earthly life is guaranteed for those who unwaveringly trust in Him till we arrive at His eternal presence in our Father’s house of “many mansions [John 14:2].

Today, we may be tempted to flee “the dark valley of Jerusalem” like Cleopas and his companion did 3 days after the Crucifixion of their beloved Lord [Luke 24:13, 18]. They were deeply lost, disappointed, discouraged and shaken by the dangerously violent and life-threatening situation they were in [Luke 24:17-24].

It was in this unwanted terrain of fear that the risen Good Shepherd appeared to them. He became “visible” [recognizable] again - once the overwhelming “blinding” fears of their dark shadows were lovingly but clearly lifted and deleted by the risen Christ, as they conversed with Him.

The result? NLT Luke 24:32 – 38: They said to each other, "Didn't our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?" 33 And within the hour they were on their way back to Jerusalem. There they found the eleven disciples and the others who had gathered with them, 34 who said, "The Lord has really risen! He appeared to Peter. " 35 Then the two from Emmaus told their story of how Jesus had appeared to them as they were walking along the road, and how they had recognized him as he was breaking the bread.

In this opportune though unwanted “valley of the shadow of death “COVID-19 MCO season, may you continue to encounter the presence of the Good Shepherd, as you intentionally meet and converse with Him around the Scriptures.

With expectant faith, you will find your heart “strangely warmed” as you meet with our risen Lord – then go tell another/ others of Him Who met you!

The Good Shepherd is risen! He is risen indeed! He is with us! Hallelujah! Amen.

Closing Prayer:

Shepherd of our souls we give You thanks for this hour that You have fed us. Indeed, when we have You, we do not lack anything. We entrust ourselves and our loved ones near and far to You. Please help us stay close to You, today and always. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Sermon by Bishop Ong Hwa Teik

Raised With Christ

Colossians 3:1-14

A New Life of Dying and Arising with Christ

A Christian who is born of the Spirit and who is saved by grace will not merely remain as a believer who confesses with his mouth and believes in his heart that Jesus is Lord, for this is just the entry point.

At this entry point of salvation, the blood of Christ covers the sins of the believer, and Christ’s righteousness is imputed to him. Believers shall be made righteous with God at this very moment and hence, we say that sinners are made righteous by their faith.

However, this passage in Colossians tells us that Christians who are born of the Spirit, and who are truly saved shall also die and be raised with Christ beginning from the entry point of faith in Christ. He has since then taken off his old self and put on his new self. He would naturally learn to think of heavenly things and perceive gaining Christ his surpassing worth.

At the same time, his life shall be renewed day by day and he will become more and more like Christ. From a believer of Christ, he will grow to become a disciple of Christ.

The New Life Shall Set His Heart and Mind on Things Above

Paul said in verses 1-4, that, “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”

This “death and resurrection of believers” is talking about the life transformation of a believer. The previous text in Colossians 2:12 mentions about the believers. “Having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised with Him through your faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.”

Therefore, the life of a Christian is a life that dies with Christ and that is also raised with Him to a new life.

Paul alluded to this new life of risen with Christ, to remind the Colossian believers because they were taken captive by a hollow and deceptive philosophy (Col 2:8), and they were judging one another by what they ate or drank, or with regard to a religious festival (Col 2:16). 

They even confused believers with all kinds of commandments and doctrines (Col 2:20-23). Paul argued that they had been disconnected from Christ, and they were only puffed up by their own flesh (Col 2:18-19).

Paul wished that the Colossian believers would come to know clearly that they were dead and had been raised with Christ. If they had already died with Christ, they should have nothing to do with those worldly instructions (Col 2:20).

If they had been raised with Christ, they would have to set their hearts and minds on things above. They ought to pursue, look upon and follow Christ, who is seated at the right hand of God in the heavenly realm (Col 3:1).

After we have come to know the Lord and become new creations, we died and are raised spiritually with Christ. As new creations, we have now broken away from secular teachings and are to set our hearts and minds to follow God solely. Worldly perspectives and secular worldviews shall bind us no more.

Though we are still living on earth and showing our concerns towards people around us and caring for our society, we possess a heavenly perspective, which means we are able to see things with the perspective of God while we are living on earth.

Paul said in Philippians 3:18-21, “For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.”

NT Wright explained the above interestingly, “Jesus’ resurrection is the beginning of God’s new project not to snatch people away from earth to heaven but to colonize earth with the life of heaven. That, after all, is what the Lord’s Prayer is about – Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

In this respect, we shall have wisdom to arrange our life priority. We are able to pay attention to those gifts that are given by God and to make good use of our lives to serve His eternal purposes.

In conclusion, “set your hearts and minds on things above” means that we will actively prioritize the Kingdom agenda in our daily living; and focus on things of eternal value rather than things that are temporal.

There is another reason why we need to “set our hearts and minds on things above, not on earthy things,” and that is because “our life is now hidden with Christ in God, and we also will appear with him in glory in times to come” (vv3-4)

The life of a Christian in Christ is glorious and victorious, but it is hidden now and invisible to the world. Hence, people will mock at Christians. They will oppress them and use all means to oppose them when they keep to their biblical teachings.

Nevertheless, the truth and its end are: Christians shall appear with Christ in His glory when He returns in future. This is our hope! Therefore, we have to set our hearts and minds on things above. Christ is seated at the right hand of God in the heavenly realm and He is the resurrected Lord who triumphs.

We might go through hardships in the world, but all these shall pass away when the world comes to its end. We shall appear with Christ in His glory when He reveals Himself and when He judges righteously over the whole earth.

When we set our hearts and minds on things above, we know that we have hope of eternity, and we have the ultimate protection of God. We will follow Christ steadfastly despite our encounter with challenges or difficulties on earth.

I have noted that many Christians are prone to feel that they are weak spiritually. They find it hard to follow the Lord and they feel wounded within. Why is it so?

Maybe they have been setting their hearts and minds on earthly things, like “wealth, position, power, reputation, or honor and shame issues, etc.” They are troubled by things on earth.

They just cannot focus on following and trusting the Lord. Consequently, it is impossible for them to be joyful and courageous, and much less to be the salt and light for Him!

The Lord Jesus has given us this promise, “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:31-33)

Let’s surrender all our earthly thoughts and worries to the Lord and trust that He shall provide for us and protect us. Let’s set our hearts and minds on things above. Let’s appreciate the Kingdom’s ministry which has eternal values and let’s be part of it. Then we will be able to understand God’s heart and cooperate with Him, living daily on earth victoriously with hope and joy found within us.

The New Creation is Imitator of Christ

In verses 9-10, Paul uses actions of “taking off and putting on” to elaborate our lives that have died and arisen with Christ.

“Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.”

When we die with Christ, we take off our old self. When we arise with Christ, we put on our new self. Paul had used two words, “therefore” and “since”, to remind us of this fact.

We have taken off our old self. “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.” (v5)

We need to keep watch daily to eliminate all these evil desires, and to live for the Lord by relying on the power of the Holy Spirit. Whenever we are enticed by our evil thoughts to sin against God, we have to keep in mind that one day we have to stand before Him and we will be judged by Him, and this might help us change our mind.

We have put on the new self. “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” (v12-14)

Our life is connected with Christ after our conversion. The nature of our life is different from what we used to have. This change in our life brings about transformation of our character and behaviors. These changes are external and they are visible.

The words “take off” and “put on” in the scripture have to do with acts of taking off and putting on our clothes. These are changes expressed externally.

Paul mentioned two characteristics when he talked about the old self, i.e., the nature of old self is earthly (v5), and because of this, God’s wrath is coming (v6). All these nature and behaviors he talked about included sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, greed, anger, rage, malice, slander, filthy language and lies.

However, we are no longer the old self. We have become a new creation. We have to make discernment as a new creation. Any earthly nature or any action that stirs the wrath of God belongs to our old self, and we should rid ourselves from it so as to take them off. 

We have to put on our heavenly nature and to clothe ourselves with actions that please God. We have to be serious and to get rid of any of our earthly nature whenever the Bible informs us that certain things are considered evil and are not pleasing to God.

We have to be equally serious to put on our heavenly nature that pleases God whenever the Bible reveals to us any things that are commendable. As disciples of Christ, we have to keep our lives refreshed continuously, so that by the renewal of our minds, we will become more and more like Christ.

Paul says this in Romans 12:2, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Conclusion:

Every Christian should receive continual instructions from the Word of God and get to know Jesus and His work more and more in order to be more and more like Him. It is a life-long growth journey and it requires a continuous study and our obedience to the Lord.

There is a need to practice our faith through works of piety and works of mercy, in order to grow in Christ; and a need to constantly reflect upon His will and all such practices call for our endurance and concentration (i.e. spiritual discipline).

Now, let’s take times to do some self-reflections: How long have I come to know the Lord? Am I just a believer only? Or am I a disciple of the Lord?

May the Lord grant us mercy and may His Spirit reveal to us, so that we will truly come to know the reality and necessity of being a growing Christian, and our minds and our hearts will pursue and think of heavenly things.

May the Lord show His mercy and grant us His Spirit to help us, to empower us and to direct us to live for God, and to enable our walk with Him to be worthy of His calling.

May our lifestyle of discipleship reveal Christ’s compassion and forgiveness, that we shall be guarded by and connected with the principles of His love. By doing so, we are able to reveal the glorious image of the Lord, and the world may see His glory and turn to Him.

In the Cross, Be My Glory Ever

1 Corinthians 1: 18-31

Christ Crucified: A Stumbling Block to Human Wisdom

Saul was the first king of Israel. But he was disobedient to God’s instructions and that had saddened the heart of God. So, God instructed prophet Samuel to anoint young David as successor to Saul.

How was David anointed?

1 Samuel Chapter 16 recorded that God told prophet Samuel to go to Jesse’s home in Bethlehem, and anoint one of his sons to be the king of Israel, who would replace King Saul.

When Samuel saw Eliab, the eldest son of Jesse, he thought that God would be pleased with him. But God said, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Sam 16:7)

Jesse arranged all the other sons to meet up with Samuel, but God did not instruct Samuel to anoint any one of them. God’s intention is always beyond our imagination. During that time, Jesse’s youngest David, was tending his sheep in the field. He looked rather plain in the eyes of men. No one would look at him as God’s chosen king.

But Samuel insisted that David should return home. So, they called him to return home. Finally, God told Samuel to anoint David as king. God’s intention is always beyond what we can imagine, and it is exactly what we are told in 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, that God chose the cross, and He chose those who were lowly as a demonstration of His power and a revelation of His wisdom!

Many people do not believe in the redemptive power of the cross because they think that it is a foolish saying. They do not know that the message that seems foolish to men is indeed the wisdom of God, and it brings salvation to those who put their trust in it. The cross becomes a stumbling block to those who reject its redemptive power.

Today we will examine the Theology of the Cross which is somewhat in-depth and paradoxical. We shall see from two angles:

The Message of the Cross is the Demonstration of God’s power (vv. 18-25)

The Apostle Paul had made it clear that, according to the prevailing Greco-Roman culture, it was absolutely nonsense for the Savior of the world to die on the cross in order to save mankind. This teaching is ridiculous and foolish!

The Greco-Roman world embraced many profound philosophical thoughts, like Stoic, Epicureanism, Scepticism, Sophists, and etc. They were very proud of their tradition of scholarly saying and studies.  

Hence, Paul said, “The message of the cross, the preaching or proclamation of the cross, sounds foolish to those who do not believe and are perishing. However, to us who are being saved it is the power of God!” (v.18)

We have to take the message of the cross seriously. In the first place, the preaching of the message of the cross is foremost, our priority, for it is the intention as well as the great commission of God. Paul testified that, “For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” (1 Cor 2:2)

Paul preached the message of the cross faithfully with the power and authority of God. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.” (Rom1:16)

The world perceives itself to be very wise and understanding, but true wisdom only comes from God, because God is definitely the Wise. Paul recited the essence found in the message of Isaiah 29:14, and he said, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” (v.19)

The scripture in the Old Testament recorded God’s judgment against worldly wisdom. The wisdom and understanding of the world are only temporal, worldly and unspiritual, and in opposition to God’s. Hence, there is a contrast between God’s wisdom and men’s wisdom throughout centuries and ages. God will disrupt the wisdom of men.

Paul continued asking his questions, “Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?” (v.20)

The apostle did not mean that there was no wisdom on earth, but he pointed out the fact that when God’s true wisdom, i.e. the cross of Jesus, was preached and made known, no worldly wisdom would be able to stand against it.

How does God display His power to save?

“For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.” (1 Cor 1:21)

Now, people still seek God through all kinds of religious means and with their own approaches. But they can only find false gods, and they fail to meet the true God. It will be impossible for men to find God if God does not first reveal Himself. Hence, Christianity is best known as “a religion of revelation”.

Since the world does not know God, God is pleased to make use of the message of foolishness to be preached to them. The message includes God’s sending of His One and Only Son, Jesus Christ, where He became flesh and lived in the world for thirty-three years and was finally crucified on the cross!

We have to understand that the punishment of the cross was a brutal torture used to deal with the worst of the sinners (rebels) who had death sentences. Yet Jesus was crucified on a cross! It was something humiliating and foolish, but it was the demonstration of God’s wisdom and power!

It was on the cross that the righteousness of God (for the wages of sin is death) and the mercy of God (God is willing to save the world) were fulfilled!

Paul went further to explain that, the world by its own wisdom cannot understand God’s wisdom. Jews went all out to seek after signs, and they asked Jesus to give them a sign, but later refused to believe that Jesus indeed was resurrected. What the Greeks looked for was wisdom in philosophy, and they rejected God’s wisdom altogether (v.22)!

For this Paul emphasized that, “we preach Christ crucified.” (v.23). Jews stumbled over the message of Jesus. The pagans thought that they have their own philosophies and they rejected Jesus (v.24). Yet to those who are called and moved by God’s love, Jesus Christ is God’s power and wisdom.

Since then, we have come to realize that the wisdom exalted by those who belong to God is entirely different from the wisdom championed by the world. This is the counter culture element of Christianity.

But, this element of the gospel is indeed the core of evangelical faith. Let’s lift up the cross of Jesus, for the message of the cross is the demonstration of God’s power!

God’s Election is the Revelation of God’s Wisdom (vv.26-31)

The apostle Paul had made it clear in this passage that the purpose of God’s call and election is “so that no one may boast before him “and, hence it served as a means to reveal the wisdom of God.

In fact, we do not possess any wisdom and power, and we do not come by noble birth according to our original human standards and values. Yet God has called us and He has chosen us, the foolish and the weak, in order to shame those who think that they are wise and strong.

Nobody in the world have real wisdom, power and honor in the eyes of God or anywhere near to the standards of God. Only those who are in Christ Jesus, those who have been called and chosen by God, God had made Christ to become “our wisdom, righteousness, holiness and redemption.” (1 Cor 1:30)

As a conclusion, we should seek to glorify Christ. “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord” (v.31). We should boast in the Lord for whatever wisdom, power, wealth, talents that we have. It is because of the Lord that we possess all these. Therefore, let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.

Thanks be to the Father, for the Cross represents God’s heart for us! His love, His call and His election of us are the demonstration of His power and the revelation of His wisdom!

Application

Paul in Romans Chapter 8 says: Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? What circumstances shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword, or pandemic Covid 19 or pan-depression?

Being in such circumstances mentioned above, is like “being crucified on the cross”, for the cross is the emblem of shame, which is deemed lowly, despised by people. In the cross, we could succumb to disappointment, disheartening, miserable, feeling defeated, doubtful of God’s preservation, or even doubtful of God’s existence.

However, Paul assured us, who are Christ’s followers, despite the negative scenario of the “crucifixion”, the reality is the opposite: “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present not the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. ”

After we fully grasp the Theology of Cross, we are able to see differently from an ordinary man’s vision. Let us get rid of the worldly vision, worldly values but embrace the divine vision from above.

Even in the situation of the “cross” – facing death all day long; as sheep to be slaughtered; we could see God’s saving power; God’s wisdom manifested’; Christ’s presence with us, that he still loves us and provide for our needs. In our weaknesses, Christ’s power is made perfect.  For grace of Christ is sufficient for us! Hallelujah, praise the Lord!

Today we can live daily and face the future without fear. In Christ we trust. We shall overcome the adversities and face a hopeful future.

As how Paul encourages us, “For I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know that it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hunger, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”

Overcoming Our Past, Embracing God's Future

John 21: 15-19

Peter’s Restoration

One day after the resurrection of Jesus, His seven disciples were fishing in the Sea of Galilee. They did not catch anything the whole night, but when they finally heeded the instructions of the Lord, they caught a large number of fish.

After they returned to the shore, they saw that the Lord had breakfast well-prepared for them (vv.1-14).  It was indeed a beautiful picture of the Lord having breakfast with His disciples beside the Sea of Galilee!

After the breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.” “Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.

Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

“Yes, Lord, “Peter said, “you know I love you.” “Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said.

A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.”

Why did Jesus have to ask Peter three times, “Do you love me?” Was it that the Lord was unsatisfied with Peter’s first and second responses, and that He didn’t believe Peter love Him genuinely?

In fact, the very first response of Peter was already well accepted by the Lord, for the Lord went on to entrust him with the great task of shepherding His flock.  Actually, the Lord Jesus asked Peter three times the question, “Do you love me?” with an intention to restore him from the defeat that had smitten him deeply.

When Jesus was arrested and led to the high priest’s home and while the other disciples were fleeing, Peter followed at a distance. The guards lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat around it, and Peter joined them there. The people there noticed Peter and they asked him three times if he was the one of Jesus’ followers. Peter denied three times that he had known Jesus.

The situation saddened not just the hearts of Peter and the Lord Jesus, but ours too. We felt sorry for them. This man denied His Lord three times, and he was such a failure. Would it be possible that he could gain the trust of the Lord again?

The answer is a definite “yes”. The Lord still trusted in him. Whenever Peter replied and said, “Yes! Lord, you know that I love you” beside the Sea of Galilee, the Lord Jesus would then entrust to him the great task of shepherding His church.

The focus of Jesus’ exchange with Peter was not the quality of Peter’s love, but Peter’s commission to take care of Jesus’ flock. How would you respond if Jesus asked you, “Do you love me? Do you really love me? Are you even my friends?”

It is one thing to say you love Jesus, but the real test is your willingness to serve him. If we truly love the Lord, we would be determined to serve him!

The Lord Jesus loved us so radically that He gave his life on the cross to suffer punishment of sin on our behalf so that our sins are all forgiven. And he was raised to life by the Father that we all could also have eternal life.

The Lord has also accepted us and trusted us. He saved us to make us right with God so that we can go out to the world to do the Kingdom’s ministry. May the sacrificial love of Christ, his gracious acceptance and providence touch our heart today, that we will respond to him in love, determine to follow him and serve him for our whole life.

Besides, we also note that the Lord Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love me more than this?” (Jn 21:15) The original text of “these” is “τούτων”, which can be referred to either “these people” or “these things”.

The Lord Jesus might be referring to those disciples who were present there, and He asked Peter, “Do you love me more than these people do?”

It brought Peter back to a previous scene. While Jesus was having the last supper with His disciples, Peter declared resolutely, that even if all were to fall away, he wouldn’t. (Mk 14:29) And he said to Jesus that he was willing to die for Him! (Jn 13:37). But at the life-threatening moment, Peter failed the test. He denied the Lord thrice.

The risen Lord would like Peter to know that He believed in his intention. Since Peter had said before, that “though all might fall away, he wouldn’t”, the Lord Jesus had to allow Peter to declare that his love for Him was indeed more than “these”.

“Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”  The Lord Jesus believed that Peter loved him as much as before, and Peter confirmed his love for Him resolutely.

The Lord appreciates every heart that is sorrowful and contrite. Man is bound to fail sometimes, but we have to confess our wrongs sincerely and we need to have courage to face it. The Lord will never ever forsake us.

The Lord Jesus died for us while we were still sinners. No matter how serious our transgression is, the Lord is more than willing to forgive us if we come before him with a sorrowful and contrite heart.

The risen Lord continued to said to Peter, “I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you swill stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.”

Jesus said this to let Peter know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.” Jesus alluded to captivity, bondage, and even crucifixion—victims were often tied to the cross.

Peter was restored from his defeat and discouragement, and he then became the leader of the church who nurtured and protected Christ’s followers. Faithfully he shepherded God’s flock and eventually he suffered martyrdom for the sake of the Lord, and for the glory of God.

Tradition indicates that Peter was crucified for his faith—upside down because he did not feel worthy of dying as his Lord did. Despite what Peter’s future held, Jesus told him to follow him.

Peter’s life changed when he finally realized who Jesus was. His occupation changed from fisherman to evangelist; his identity changed from impetuous to “rock”. No matter life or death, Peter would love Christ and serve him. With his whole life, he would glorify God for he knew that in Christ he would receive the crown of eternal life.

Likewise, today, even if our future seems to be gloomy, we know God is in control, so we can confidently follow Christ and serve him wholeheartedly.

Application

Whenever we think of the suffering of the Lord and whenever we read of Peter’s denial of the Lord three times, we may feel that we are like Peter. We are deeply pained when we face our weaknesses, and like Peter, we wept bitterly.

However, we have to think of the way the Lord restored and rebuilt Peter after His resurrection. Though we might have weaknesses and failures, the Lord is merciful to us and He will show His compassion to us.

The resurrected Lord reaffirmed His acceptance of Peter three times. It reminds us that the Lord will still accept and believe our initial intention. If the Lord does not doubt us, let’s not doubt ourselves too.

The Lord knows that we might be weak and we might fail, yet He loves us and He will never forsake us. He will give us chances to enable us to be strengthened, and He shall restore us from our failures and defeats. And He uses us to accomplish great things for his kingdom.

The Lord Jesus loves us, no matter what circumstances prevail today, nothing could separate us from the love of the Lord. Romans 8:35-39:

Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? As the Scriptures say,” for your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.” No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angel nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The risen Lord surely loves you, but the question is, “Do you love him?”

May we be able to face God fearlessly and to love Him unwaveringly, and to entrust our lives into His hands, so that He can renew us, strengthen us and build us up in Him. May we be able to follow him, serve him and accomplish the mission that he has entrusted us. The grace of the risen Lord is sufficient for us!

真切爱主，坚定服事他

約翰福音二十一5-19

耶稣使彼得复兴

耶稣复活之后的某天，有七个门徒在加利利湖打鱼。他们整夜没有渔获，最终得到主的指示，往船的右边撒网，就网到很多鱼。他们返回岸上，还看到原来主已为他们预备好早餐了。好一幅在加利利湖畔与主共进早餐的美丽和画面！

耶稣和门徒吃完早饭。耶稣就对西门彼得说：“约翰的儿子西门，你爱我比这些更深吗？”彼得说：“主啊，是的。你知道我爱你。”耶稣对他说：“你喂养我的小羊。”

耶稣第二次又对他说：“约翰的儿子西门，你爱我吗？”彼得说：“主啊，是的。你知道我爱你。”耶稣说：“你牧养我的羊。”

第三次对他说：“约翰的儿子西门，你爱我吗？”彼得因为耶稣第三次对他说“你爱我吗？”就忧愁，对耶稣说：“主啊，你是无所不知的，你知道我爱你。”耶稣说：“你喂养我的羊。”

主耶稣为何要三次问彼得“你爱我吗”？难道主不满意彼得第一和第二次的回应，不相信彼得是真心爱他，所以要问三次？

其实，彼得第一次的回应已经得到主的悦纳，因为主随即把牧养教会的重任交给他。耶稣三次问彼得，他是否爱他，因为耶稣不会满足于不加思索而又肤浅的回答。他直接指出问题的症结。问题的症结是彼得曾经“三次”不认主。主耶稣要使彼得从刻骨铭心的挫败中得到复兴，

当耶稣在祭司长的屋内被审问的时候，彼得在院子外面炉火旁，被人家指控他是和耶稣一伙的。彼得就三次不认他是认识耶稣的。

当他第三次不认主之后，“主转过身来，看彼得。彼得便想起主对他所说的话：‘今日鸡叫以先，你要三次不认我。’他就出去痛哭”（路22:61-62）。

此情此景，不仅是彼得和主耶稣极为伤心，就连我们也为之难过。一个曾经三次不认主的人，这么失败，还有可能得到主的信任吗？

答案相当肯定：主仍然信任他。在加利利湖畔，当彼得每次说“主啊…你知道我爱你”，主耶稣都将牧养教会的重任交给彼得，表明祂已完全宽恕彼得。

彼得曾经三次不认主，主就让彼得有机会三次表明爱主的心；主也三次悦纳他，信任他，吩付他牧养教会。

主耶稣也是如此的爱我们，为了救赎我们，牺牲他的性命，死在十字架上，又从死里复活，好叫我们的罪得赦免，并且获得永生。

耶稣也是如此的悦纳我们，信任我们。他拯救我们，乃是要把神国的服事交托给我们，叫我们出去把他的救恩带到世界每个角落。

彼得面对基督三次的询问时，迫使他必须处理自己的真感情和内在的动机。今天如果耶稣问你：“你真的爱我吗？”你会怎样回答呢？

愿基督牺牲的爱，悦纳和保守我们的恩典感动我们，叫我们也一生也爱主，就跟随他，献上自己给主使用。

今天我们说自己爱耶稣是一回事，是否愿意事奉他才是真正考验我们对主的爱。我们若是真切爱主，就会坚定心志事奉他！

我们还留意到一点，主耶稣问彼得：“你爱我比这些更深吗？”（15节）这个问题中的“这些”是什么来的？“这些”一词的原文τούτων在此可以指“这些人”或“这些东西”。

如果理解为“这些东西”，这问题的意思就是“你爱我比爱这些东西更多吗？”如果理解为“这些人”，按照原文的文法，这问句可以翻译为“你爱我比爱这些人更多吗？”或“你比这些人更爱我吗？”

这样，经文留下了空间让我们思考。主耶稣当时很可能是指着在场的门徒，问彼得：“你比这些人更爱我吗？”

这就把彼得带回之前的情景。当耶稣与门徒吃最后晚餐的时候，彼得坚决地说：众人跌倒，我却不会！（可14:29）又对耶稣说：我愿意为你舍命！（约13:37）

到了耶稣被捕后，众人都逃跑四散，彼得还是跟随着主进到祭司长的院子里面。但是到了紧要关头，彼得还是软弱了，就三次不认主。

彼得之前既然说过“众人虽然跌倒，我总不能”，主耶稣如今就让彼得再次表达他那比众人更爱主之心志：“约翰的儿子西门，你比这些人更爱我吗？”“主啊，是的，你知道我爱你。”

主耶稣相信彼得依然像当初那样爱他，而彼得也坚定承认！

主看重每一颗忧伤痛悔的心。人难免会有失败跌倒的时候，但我们要坦白承认和勇于面对。主从来都不放弃我们。当我们还作罪人的时候，他就为我们死；而无论我们犯的过错有多大，只要我们忧伤痛悔，主都愿意赦免。

耶稣接着就对彼得说：“我实实在在告诉你。你年少的时候，自己束上带子，随意往来；但年老的时候，你要伸出手来，别人要把你束上，带你到不愿意去的地方。”

耶稣说这话，是指彼得要怎样死，荣耀神。耶稣跟着对彼得说：“你跟从我吧！”

彼得从挫败中得到复兴。他之后成为教会的领袖，忠心牧养主的羊群，最后为主殉道来荣耀神。传说他为信仰而被倒钉十字架，因为他觉得自己不配与主一样的死法。

复活的主悦纳和怜恤彼得的过错。他也相信、理解和怜恤彼得的心志。他叫彼得不但悔改了，也获得复兴。耶稣进而叫他把自己的生命交付给他，为主牧养新生的教会。

彼得真正认识耶稣之后，他的生命起了重大改变：由渔夫变为传道人；由冲动鲁莽的人变为稳重的“磐石”。彼得与耶稣的关系也改变了。现在他的罪得赦免。彼得无论生或死都爱主，服事主，透过他的一生来荣耀神。他知道在基督里，他拥有永生的冠冕！

应用

每当我们思想主的受难，读到彼得三次不认主，或许也会觉得自己好像彼得。我们看见自己的软弱无用，内心感到非常痛苦，就像当时痛哭的彼得一样。但我们也要思想复活的主耶稣如何重新建立彼得。复活之主对彼得的再三肯定，提醒我们：主仍然悦纳和相信我们当初的心志。

纵然我们有软弱失败，但主怜悯和体恤我们；只要我们认罪悔改，他就必赦免。主不怀疑我们，我们就别怀疑自己。主知道我们或会软弱失败，但他爱我们，不放弃我们。他会给我们机会，使我们在挫败之中重新振作，得到复兴，并且蒙主大大的使用。

主耶稣爱我们，我们爱他吗？无论我们今天正处于哪个境况，没有任何事，任何人也不能叫我们与基督的爱隔绝。纵然面对困难，我们不要因此气馁就放弃信靠主，放弃做主的工。

罗马书八35-39：『谁能使我们与基督的爱隔绝呢？难道是患难吗？是困苦吗？是逼迫吗？是饥饿吗？是赤身露体吗？是危险吗？是刀剑吗？如经上所记：“我们为你的缘故终日被杀，人看我们如将宰的羊。”然而，靠着爱我们的主，在这一切事上已经得胜有余了。因为我深信无论是死、是生、是天使、是掌权的，是有能的，是现在的事，是将来的事，是高处的、是低处的，是别的受造之物，都不能叫我们与神的爱隔绝；这爱是在我们的主基督耶稣里的。』

但愿我们都能够坦然向主，坚定爱主，将生命交在主的手中。我们祈求主更新，坚固和建立我们。我们对将来或会感到焦虑和恐惧，但如果我们肯定神掌管一切，他是信得过的神，我们就不惧怕。

我们要对主满有信心地跟随他，信靠他，服事他，完成他给予我们的使命。主的恩典是够我们用的！