15 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, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him 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, “Tend my sheep.” 17 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 everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”
20 Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” 21 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” 22 Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” 23 So the saying spread abroad among the brothers that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?”
Meditation
- Silence – Read/Listen – Meditate – Pray – Contemplate
- Read it slowly as if I were Peter and the Lord was asking me three times, “Do you love me? ” Follow Peter’s answers and imagine his mood, emotion and thoughts going through his whole person. Repeat it several times paying extra attention to what the Lord is saying to Peter. Is He speaking to you, too?
- Continue to be quiet before the Lord, listen, wait, listen, and wait…..
- If you have heard what the Lord is telling you, thank Him. If you haven’t, thank Him, too. Continue to wait and listen to the whispering voice of the Holy Spirit after this time with God.
Suggestion for Family Devotional Time: If you were asked the same question that Jesus asked Peter three times, how would you respond? (1. yes, all the time; 2. yes, most of the time; 3. Yes, some of the time; d. huh? e. ask me tomorrow.) Ask each to explain his/her answers. Lead a prayer of commitment to love God always.
Prayer & Journaling: On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.
Proverbs for Today 11:28-31
28 Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf. 29 Whoever troubles his own household will inherit the wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart. 30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures souls is wise. 31 If the righteous is repaid on earth, how much more the wicked and the sinner!