Diligent Servanthood through Times of Trial
The third time he (Jesus) said to him (Peter), “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.
(John 21: 17)
It was a test for Peter, and it hurt him. Jesus asked Peter three times whether he loved Christ Jesus of Nazareth. Peter was affirmative in the first and second, but the third one hurt him. And let me begin today's devotion by reminding you that it really hurts when God tests our love for Him; it is not easy to go through times of trial. It is on this important truth do many Christ-oriented ministries begin, flourish and become a blessing.
For Jesus, 'diligent servanthood' was all about love. Knowing very well that His beloved disciple Peter would soon have to take up the leadership and the responsibility of leading the church, Jesus questioned Peter about his love for Christ. On the one side, love was the foundation, the essence, of being a true servant of Christ Jesus. But the way in which this love is tested becomes a hurt for Peter. I would like to focus on these two pointers - love and hurt. Peter had to go through the trial of being tested for his love for Christ, and it hurt him!
Love for Christ Jesus stands on the centre stage of Christian ministry and servanthood. All that a diligent servant of Christ is expected to have in his life is love for Christ Jesus. This love becomes not only the foundation of Christian servanthood but also this love fuels the work and sets the framework for the building of the ministry. The unconditional love that Jesus demanded from Peter by asking him three times becomes a reminder for us. Christ reminds us of unconditional love by asking the same question repeatedly: "do you love me?" Come what may! Whatever the loss! Whichever place it may lead into! Whenever I am called to! ...Unconditional love for Christ Jesus.
Hurt is something that's part of this love. Peter was one of Jesus's favourite disciples. He had been with Jesus throughout His ministry in this world. He had heard the teachings and seen the miracles first-hand. And yet, when the time came to reinstate Peter as leader and shepherd of Christ Jesus's flock in this world, he had to go through a trial, and it hurt him. It would have indeed been extremely troubling, confusing and hurting for Peter to be questioned on the point of love for his Master after spending so many moments of closeness, dependency and sharing. When Peter was questioned for the third time, he felt very hurt as all the efforts, hard work and following of Christ looked meaningless at that moment. It was very hurtful! But it is only through that hurt Peter understood what was expected of him. It was not just love, but something deeper and sublime - the unconditional.
Today, as you are reading this message, I want to remind you that God is expecting the same from you and me. It is not just the shallow and easy-going love that God is expecting from us, but unconditional. There may be moments in our lives when this love is time and again tested, questioned and out on trial. For Peter, it was thrice. One after the other, without any breaks, bang.. bang... bang....! And, for us, who are called to take leadership and responsibilities in the church of Christ Jesus, this question may be put forward time and again. It hurt Peter, and it is definitely going to hurt us too! "Lord, after all these years of faithfulness, such trials?" we may ask. The hurt may lead us to further questions of spiritual doubts too. But let me remind you dear friends that when we feel hurt, let us remember Peter; let us feel the pressure he was on. And let us learn to see what God is expecting from such trials. Christ Jesus wants us to understand that He expects us to be tuned, updated and reminded of the need to have the unconditional love we should have for Him to be a diligent servant in His kingdom.
I pray that, as the true disciples and servants of Christ Jesus and His church, we will always remember that love and hurt are intertwined in times of trials. Let us remember to flip the other side of the coin and see the other side of the hurt we may experience. God is calling us for a greater purpose and work. Let us surrender ourselves and be diligent servants of the Lord.
May the power and blessings of God the Father, the love and grace of Christ Jesus the Son, and the fellowship and guidance of the Holy Spirit, be with us and help us as we continue to be diligent servants of God.
May God bless you.
Yours in Christ,
"When It's All Been Said and Done" by Robin Mark
