Tuesday, February 14, 2017

R.E.A.L. Women Devotional - A Heart to Heart (Valentines Day)

This photo has a very special meaning. In 2007, Jeff and I had the privilege of going to Israel. On the third day of our trip, we went to "Peter's Primacy" on a beach in Galilee. This is the location where John 21 happened. My Bible subtitle's it "Breakfast by the Sea." 

As we were walking back to the tour bus, I noticed these two rocks on the gravel beach. They looked like hearts and one having a hole in it. This is the place where Jesus had his "heart to heart" with Peter. 

In John 21, after the death and resurrection of Jesus, Peter goes back to what he knows, fishing. After fishing all night, Jesus calls out to Peter and the other disciples and asks them if they have caught anything. A familiar call, as this was what Jesus said to Peter the first time he met him. Jesus tells them to throw their nets to the right side of the boat and suddenly their nets were full.

Jesus had breakfast waiting for them as they came ashore. The key portion of this passage is the heart to heart that Jesus has with Peter. "After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, 'Simon son of John, do you love me more than these? “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.” “Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him. 16 Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.” “Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said. 17 A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep." (John 21:15-17)

This is intimate conversation Jesus had with Peter shows the love that Jesus had for Peter, despite all of Peter's mistakes. Jesus loves us too despite all of our mistakes. All of us are born with a hole in our heart, that only Jesus can fill. It's a hole that will make you whole. Jesus loves you no matter what. The question he asks you on this Valentine's Day is "Do you love me?"

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