The Joy of Glory

John 20:30-21:19 (click here)
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.” (John 21:17-19)

Reflection
What is the result of love for Christ?

Jesus makes it pretty explicit… love for him will show up in love for his people. If Peter loves Jesus, he is to “feed his sheep.” Care for the church, love the church, and lead the church into a deeper love for Jesus.

Peter is charged to do this no matter what happens, no matter what comes his way, no matter what he loses…even his own life.

Jesus tells Peter that the path of loving him will lead Peter to serve the church until it costs him his very life. Peter’s love for Jesus and the church will lead him ultimately to death, but it will be a death that glorifies God!

How?

Because Peter’s death will show that nothing, not even his own life, is worth more than knowing Jesus and making him known.

Do we love Jesus? What is the evidence?

The best evidence that we love Jesus is that we give our lives to help others know and love him…no matter the cost!

Put your name in Peter’s place and here the words of Jesus… “__________, do you love me?… Then feed my sheep.”

*All previous devotionals may be found at www.thejoyofglory.com
*The complete SVCC Lenten reading guide is available here.

Matthew 14:22-33 (click here)
And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea.

And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” [29] He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. (Matthew 14:25 and 28-29)

Reflection
The sea.

Uncontrollable… unpredictable… dangerous.

The sea can change in a moments notice from calm to a terrible storm. In ancient literature (including the Bible), the sea can often be a symbol for the evil, chaotic forces in the world that can cause suffering and claim human life in a moment.

The disciples are right in the midst of such a sudden experience. The wind and waves are against them (Matthew 14:24)! But then…Jesus…

Jesus walks upon the water. That which threatens the disciples is of no threat to him. He walks upon that in which they would sink. To him, the sea is controllable… predictable… safe. He is Lord over all, including the chaotic seas.

In the book of Revelation, there is a sea of glass before the throne of God… it’s like crystal… perfectly calm and under control in the presence of God.

Until we arrive at that crystal sea, we live in the midst of chaos, confusion, and evil. However, Christ is there with us and every wave is no trouble for him. He is with us amidst the storm and calls us to walk with him upon the waters.

The sea would not defeat Peter that night. He was safer walking with Jesus on the water than he was in the boat. It is the same for us.

No matter what storms we encounter in this life, none of them can conquer us as long as we are with Jesus. Sure… they might kills us, but not conquer us!

Luke 21:16-19, “You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will PUT TO DEATH. You will be hated by all for my name’s sake. BUT NOT A HAIR of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your lives.”

You will be put to death, but not a hair of your head will perish! How? Because Jesus walks upon the sea of death itself…and even when death comes for us, it has been defeated and serves merely to transport us into the very presence of Christ where we will live forever… not a hair on our head will perish!

So take heart! Look to Jesus amidst the storm! Walk with him and you need not fear not the wind and waves… because, in truth, the wind and the waves fear him.

*All previous devotionals may be found at www.thejoyofglory.com
*The complete SVCC Lenten reading guide is available here.

Luke 4:14-37 (click here)
And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country.

And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me…”

…they were astonished at his teaching, for his word possessed authority.

And they were all amazed and said to one another, “What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!” (Luke 4:14, 17-18, 32, and 36)

Reflection
Power and Authority…

Jesus went about in the power of the Holy Spirit, he claimed the Holy Spirit was upon him, he taught with authority, his actions confirmed his authority.

All that he said and did exuded the very power and authority of God.

What was the response?
Astonishment.
Confusion.
Questions.
Fear.

One feels all of these things when encountering Jesus.

You know that you have come into contact with one who is wholly other! He’s different from anyone else and everything else. He is wholly other because he is the holy one! Have you felt this? Have you felt the reality of who Jesus is?

We cannot say that we haven’t had the opportunity to encounter Jesus in power and authority because we did not live at the same time as he did. We cannot claim a lack of evidence concerning his power and authority because we did not see his works with our own eyes.

No. We are excuseless because we have his words.

His words, not just his works, are full of the power and authority of God! No one ever spoke like this man (John 7:46)! When you read his words…do you feel him speaking with authority and power?

What is your response?
Astonishment.
Confusion.
Questions.
Fear.

One feels all these things when encountering Jesus. Have you encountered him today? If not, read his words again…but not as mere words on a page…no. Read them slowly, prayerfully, asking the Lord to speak to you through them with all the power and authority they actually carry.

Read Jesus’ words, and encounter him!

*All previous devotionals may be found at www.thejoyofglory.com
*The complete SVCC Lenten reading guide is available here.