Based on John 21:15-25 (New King James Version)
“So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of Jonah, 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.’ He said to him again a second time, ‘Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?’ He said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.’ He said to him, ‘Tend My sheep.’ He said to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of Jonah, 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, ‘Feed My sheep. Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.’ This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, ‘Follow Me.’ Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, ‘Lord, who is the one who betrays You?’ Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, ‘But Lord, what about this man?’ Jesus said to him, ‘If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.’ Then this saying went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, ‘If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?’ This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true. And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.”
Thomas Jefferson once said: “Do you want to know who you are? Don’t ask. Act! Action will delineate and define you.” There are countless other quotes that have to do with action. I believe that the reason for so many quotes is because we can all agree that action is the most crucially defining aspect for every human being. Nothing is more important than what a person winds up doing. That is probably what is very disappointing in life; that a lot of people don’t live up to what they say (when they promise good things of course). That is what makes trust so difficult because a lot of people promise and say a lot of things, but very few keep their word.
Action is necessary in every aspect of a person’s life. Without action nothing is really possible. Ever since our conception, deep in our mother’s womb, action was required in our lives and we depended on the actions of someone. For instance, if our mothers didn’t want to keep us or take care of themselves, we wouldn’t have been born. It’s an obvious statement, but not too many children are born or taken care of by parents nowadays (so maybe not so obvious or trivial). There were involuntary actions on our part with our development. Our spine developed and grew. Our brains developed and grew. So many things came into place as a result of our mother’s nurturing and our own development as a fetus. Finally came the day that we were born. It wasn’t something that involved a lot of talking; but rather some excruciating pain and force. And from then on, we kept on being dependent on our mother’s care, our families’ care with food, medicine when needed, etc.
Once we were old enough, we went to school and there was studying, and taking tests; all involving actions. After going to school, the act of working came into existence. And when having a job, getting a paycheck is very dependent on the actions we put forth. They don’t pay us for nothing. There is a lot of effort involved in just getting to work, sometimes going to work while being sick, putting up with difficult bosses, difficult clients, etc. And of course, there is a tremendous amount of action when you: have a job or a career, paying bills, having a family involving a spouse, children, other family members, friends, etc. And these are the common things that come with life. How about when something goes wrong with one or a few of those things? When you think about it, there is a whole lot of action in this life, isn’t there?
In our passage today, Christ is looking for some action from Peter based on his love for God, and not to worry or compare himself to others. Jesus is helping Peter realize that his love to Him must be shown through action, and even more clearly, in obedience. Jesus told Peter that if he truly loves Him, he must take care of others; so there is an implied obedience; where the origin of action is revealed. The Lord Himself in His flesh obeyed the Father. That was the purpose of His mission to this earth. And as a result, for those of us that “obey” God, by believing and accepting Him as the Lord of our lives, there is salvation. For it is written: “Who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.” Hebrews 5:7-9. The Bible further explains: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” Matthew 7:21. So, it is clear that words or special phrases don’t really matter. What matters is “doing” the will of the Father. We have to follow and obey Christ if we really want to get somewhere. For Mary (His carnal mother) said: “Whatever He says to you, do it,” (John 2:5b), speaking of Jesus. Paul teaches us about obedience and how we ought to work out our salvation, for it says: “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” Philippians 2:12.
So, if we want to make a difference here and in eternity, we must obey God; His Word, where all of His counsel to us is contained. Jesus again reiterated on one occasion: “I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.” John 17:4. This implies that God was glorified by His actions as the Son of God. It was also written: “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.” John 15:8. In the end, God through Jesus Christ did not call us to be Christians necessarily (just a mere identifier that people came up with for those of us that believe in Christ). God called us to be disciples; which means being a faithful and devout follower of Jesus; living out our faith in Him throughout every aspect of our life. For in doing so, this will put us in the light that we are “doing” the will of the Father.
So, is your love for God producing visible and genuine actions that bring glory to God? Lord bless! John