the book of John | Daily Encouragement

“When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?'” (John 21:15, NIV)

This is a complex passage of scripture because its few words carry a number of applications — and these daily notes are, by intention, short. So, today, I will address one application, and take-up the other applications in subsequent days. Deal?

On perhaps the deepest level, Jesus’ questions to Peter are designed to restore Peter to fellowship: “Do you (Peter) love me more than these (other disciples)?”

Where Peter had first loudly and persistently proclaimed that he loved Jesus more than everyone else, Peter later denied even knowing Jesus when pressed — a grievous offense in any friendship.

In our own relationship with Jesus, when times are “fat,” do we promise more than we are willing to deliver when times are “lean”: That is, when “being Christ in our corner of the world” is personally costly in terms of time, treasure, or reputation?

No one knows where he or she will be tomorrow. God will provide all that we need in the moment, and for the moment: Time, treasure, helpful accomplices, and inspiration. When we engage in self-promotion, we “write checks we cannot cover.”

It is in “lean times” that we learn — as Peter did — that while we may not know what the future holds, it is best to know Who holds the future. (Hint: It isn’t us.) – Luther

Tagged discipleship, God's provision, the book of John

June 11

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“Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs.” (John 19:38-40, NIV)

Let’s hear it today for “secret disciples.” The folks who, for fear of what other people might do or say, do not wear the religious pendant on a chain; who do not put the fish on their business card; who do not have the license plate with a scripture citation.

When Jesus was being crucified, the most vocal disciple (Peter) was hiding in silence; and the 10 other disciples (Judas having committed suicide) were also keeping out of sight for fear that what had happened to Jesus would also happen to them.

Then there was Nicodemus and Joseph. Their discipleship succeeded where the commitment of the Eleven had failed: Joseph goes to Pilate — the very person who had sentenced Jesus to die — for permission to take the body of Jesus; and Nicodemus totes 75 pounds of myrrh and aloes. Together, they give Jesus a proper burial in a brand-new tomb.

These were not small acts. They did the risky thing (remember Pilate?). They performed the practical act. They did the literal dirty work (retrieving, washing, and preparing a bloody corpse for burial). They did the costly thing (have you ever priced myrrh and aloes?) They did the literal heavy lifting (75 pounds is a lot when you’re a 130-pound man).

Be very slow to pass judgment on disciples who don’t wear their faith on the sleeve. In fact, be like such “secret disciples” as Joseph and Nicodemus in your daring for what is good and true; your enthusiasm for the small task; the dirty job; the extravagant expression; and the heavy lifting.

Remember the empty tomb? It was only empty on Resurrection Sunday because “secret disciples” Joseph and Nicodemus acted as they did on Friday! – Luther