March 2 – John 21:17- “Jesus said unto him the third time, Lovest thou Me?”

Remember to read “My Utmost for His Highest” for Today

WHY DID HE ASK?

Why did Jesus ask, “Peter, Do you love me?”

Why did His Lord inquire three times?

Jesus knew Peter’s heart but He questioned.

Probing caused Peter’s love to be redefined.

Jesus asked, to reveal Peter to his own self.

He asked these simple questions, so profound.

Peter’s answer was affirmative without question.

But Jesus knew Peter’s frailties did abound.

Lord; help me listen closely to Your inquiries.

Keep me alert to sift wisely what You ask.

May I be so sensitive to Your assignments

You won’t need to ask three times for each task.

Three times, You asked and Peter answered.

Three times, You called Samuel and he came.

Lord, Your patience with us is astounding.

Help me answer when You first call my name!

©2002-MDB

POINTS TO PONDER or JOURNAL

Peter denied the Lord three times. Perhaps Jesus asked this question three times to let Peter know Jesus forgave him.  Peter became a great man of God. Journal the times that you have messed up and the Lord has used it to bring honor to Him. Imagine a conversation with the soldier that had his ear cut off and healed. What do you think became of him? Perhaps he heard Christ’s message with his heart for the first time.

Begin to pray for someone who has a hearing loss. Journal the results.

Write a love letter to Jesus and tell Him the reasons you love Him.

DEAR LORD, Thank you for the fact that You love us even when we mess up and even when we do not listen, as we should. Keep us alert to listen. You healed a soldier’s ear.

You can heal our physical ears and our spiritual ears. Make us sensitive to Your Voice. Thank you for the privilege of having spiritually listening ears. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.