Reading from the Bible :
15 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.”
16 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.” 17 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. 18 “Most assuredly, I say to you, when you
were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are
old, your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not
wish,” 19 This He spoke, signifying by what death He would glorify God. And
when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.” 20 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?” 21
Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?” 22 Jesus
said to Him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You
follow Me.”
Summary:
When you attend a children’s choir concert,
you’re not surprised when the children look everywhere but at the director.
They wiggle, squirm, and poke each other. They stand on tiptoes to search for
parents in the audience. They raise there hands to wave when they see them. Oh,
yes, and they occasionally sing. We smile at their antics. The behavior is cute
in children. It’s not so cute when adult choir members don’t watch the
conductor. Good music depends on singers who pays attention to the director so
they can stay together as they sing.
Christians sometimes are like singers in a children’s choir. Instead of
looking at Jesus, the great Conductor of the symphony of life, we are busy squirming or looking at each other
or watching the audience.
Jesus admonished Peter for
such behavior. After He told him what would be required of him, Peter pointed
to John and asked, “What about him?” Jesus answered with a question: “What is
that to you? You follow Me? (John 21:22).
Sometimes we are distracted by what others are doing. We think God’s
plan for theirs life is better than His plan for ours. But God’s plan for each
of us is the same: Follow Jesus. When we watch Him intently, we’ll not be
distracted by God’s plan for anyone else.---Julie Ackerman Link
My times are in my father’s
hand;
How could I wish or ask
for more?
For He who has my pathway
planned,
Will guide me till my
journey’s o’er.---Fraser
Every child of God has a special place in His plan.
