Universal Utterings®
for June 29, 2024

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06-29-2024 John 21 V-1519 Jesus Reinstates Peter

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The Book of John 21 v- 15 thru 19

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 then 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 distressed that he had said to him a 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 Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”

In the Gospel of John, chapter 21, verses 15 through 19, we encounter a profound and intimate moment between the risen Jesus and Peter. This passage, often referred to as "Jesus Reinstates Peter," is pivotal in understanding the themes of forgiveness, restoration, and the commissioning of Peter for future ministry.

The scene unfolds by the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus appears to His disciples after His resurrection. Following a miraculous catch of fish, Jesus shares a meal with them. After breakfast, Jesus turns His attention to Peter, who had denied Him three times before the crucifixion. In a series of three questions, Jesus asks Peter, "Do you love me?" Each time Peter responds affirmatively, Jesus gives him a specific charge: "Feed my lambs," "Tend my sheep," and "Feed my sheep."

The thrice-repeated question mirrors Peter's earlier threefold denial, offering him a chance for redemption and reaffirmation of his love for Jesus. This repetition not only underscores the completeness of Peter's restoration but also emphasizes the seriousness and importance of the task entrusted to him. Jesus is not merely forgiving Peter; He is entrusting him with the care of His followers, symbolized as sheep and lambs, a common biblical metaphor for the people of God.

Jesus' directives to Peter—feeding and tending the sheep—illustrate the pastoral role Peter is to play in the early Christian community. It signifies a leadership role grounded in love, service, and responsibility. Jesus is essentially appointing Peter as a shepherd to His flock, reinforcing the idea that true leadership in the Christian context is about serving others and nurturing their faith.

In verse 18, Jesus shifts from the immediate task to a prophecy about Peter's future. He tells Peter that when he was younger, he dressed himself and went where he wanted, but when he is old, he will stretch out his hands, and someone else will dress him and lead him where he does not want to go. This statement foreshadows Peter's martyrdom, indicating that his commitment to Jesus will ultimately lead to his death. The phrase "stretch out your hands" is often interpreted as a reference to crucifixion, the manner of Peter's eventual martyrdom according to early Christian tradition.

Finally, in verse 19, Jesus concludes with the command, "Follow me." This call to discipleship is both a literal and spiritual directive. Despite the foretelling of suffering, Peter is invited to continue his journey with Jesus, embracing the path laid out for him with open arms and a commitment to live surrendered to Jesus’ call. Amen.

Join me as we pray our daily prayer of forgiveness. The Lord’s Prayer.

At the Savior's command and formed by divine teaching, we dare to say:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.

I am sorry Lord. I believe You died and rose for me. Please forgive me as I forgive others. I share You as my Lord and Savior seeking to live your Will in all things. Prayers for wife Toni and my mother Betty pray for our children especially our two oldest Alexandra & Allen Son in Law Mark Stern; Julian, Gabriel and Jeffrey and our grandchildren Oliver, Julian and Elliott. We pray for those we’ve said we’d pray for and those who’ve asked us to pray for them. We pray for the dying as we do each day Lord give them peace in their last breath. We pray for Holy Mother Church. Our prayers for our niece Brittany. In Jesus Precious Blood by His Name we pray. Amen.

I am a poet obedient to Christ,
Catholic Evangelist Thomas Cruz†Wiggins

Practice. Pray. Proclaim. ®
†Spirit led God inspired Christ fed†®
Ephesians 6:17-20

06-29-2024 John 21 v-1519

**Jesus Reinstates Peter**

Upon the shores of Galilee, where gentle waters lie,

The risen Lord sought Peter's heart, beneath the open sky.

"Do you love me more than these?" the Savior asked him thrice,

"Feed my lambs, tend my sheep," echoed through the morning light.

Three times the question pierced his soul, as memories did wake,

Of nights he faltered, thrice denied, his heart began to ache.

Yet in the tender eyes of Christ, forgiveness he did find,

"Follow me," the Shepherd called, with love both true and kind.

A charge was given to the one who once had turned away,

To lead and serve, with steadfast heart, from dawn to close of day.

"Feed my sheep," the Master spoke, His words both firm and clear,

A mission strong, a path of grace, for Peter to revere.

And so began the journey new, with faith and purpose set,

To follow where the Savior led, to never more forget.

For in the love that Jesus showed, a promise was restored,

That even through the darkest times, His mercy would endure. Amen.

© Thomas Joe Cruz†Wiggins

June 29, 2024 @ 04:57 AM EST

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