FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION
For today’s editorial, I’m going to use a couple of questions asked of Jesus and His replies to them as a basis for us learning a lesson in human nature and personal responsibilities. The questions are ones we hear spoken quite often, especially if you’re a parent of more than one child.
You see, I subscribe to the Bill Cosby philosophy regarding children. He doesn’t think that you’re a real parent if you only have one child. It’s too easy. You know who did it (whatever, eat all the cookies or break the lamp). When we get to the questions you’ll see how this applies.
I’ll tell you who asked the questions and that too will probably not come as a surprise to you. The question asker is good old impetuous Peter. A very interesting character from the Bible, but we don’t have time nor space to take an in depth study of him here today. But, I will tell you a few things that I find interesting about him.
His nature was one of a rash talking and acting person. Sometimes he would be "right on" and then in the next minute say or do something rashly or impetuously. Peter was what we’d call impulsive. Perhaps over-eager at times and then would be aggressive and daring. And also at times he was sort of unstable and prone to take the wrong action or say the wrong words and thereby make mistakes. Sort of like all of us human beings at times.
However, because of Christ he could and did become a stable, courageous worker for the Gospel. I guess you could say that he became the "Rock" Jesus predicted he would be. (Matt, 16:18) Here’s something else I find interesting about Peter. His real name was Simon but in John 1:42 we see Jesus calling him "Cephas" which is a Syrian word signifying a "stone" that answers to the Greek word "Peter," a "rock." So, in reality, when we call him Peter we’re actually referring to him by his title rather than his name. And, I’ll throw this in for free, he is the only "Peter" in the Bible, just as there are no other Davids or Moses.
Well, let’s get on towards our questions and their respective answers. If you open your Bibles to the 21st chapter of John you’ll see them asked and answered. To sort of set the scene a little, you’ll find that Jesus has already been crucified and risen and that some time has passed since then. The apostles were back up at the Sea of Galilee having "gone fishing."
Jesus appears on the shore and calls out to them. Good old impetuous Peter can’t wait for the boat to bring him in, he jumps in and swims ashore. It’s a great reunion. They take the fish they’d caught and, if this was in Arkansas, we’d say they had a "fish fry." (Vs 13) After they were through eating, a conversation started up and it’s in this conversation that we find our questions and answers. And this is also where we find the human nature of Peter and I dare say, all of us.
First off, notice in verses 15-17 Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves him. The answer every time from Peter was "Yes." Interestingly, on the first occasion Jesus told him to "Feed my lambs." Then on the next two He told Peter to "Feed my sheep." I mention this in order to take you on a little side lesson here.
Jesus’ flock is the church. Just like a flock, it’s made up of all ages of sheep. Peter is told to "feed" them meaning watch over them, tend them, nurture them. See, Jesus is about to return to heaven and He’s leaving "His flock" in earthly hands. He’s telling Peter what his primary duty is - "feed" (take care of) the church. It’s as if to say "Peter, this is what I want you to do, and if you love me, you’ll do it."
Then Jesus tells Peter some words that I’m sure that Peter didn’t relish hearing, and human nature being what it is, we probably wouldn’t like hearing them either. Notice in verses 18-19 he tells Peter that in his younger years he’ll be able to go and do as he pleases.....BUT - when he gets old, he’ll suffer. Boy, are those not words of truth that fit all of us?
In verse 19 we find this to be an explanation given to Peter about his death. And, that his death would "glorify God." Then Christ says the words: "Follow me!" I don’t see anything to show that Peter had any doubt about what Jesus was talking about. Think about it a moment. When Jesus said those words "Follow me" and said that his death would "glorify God" could He had been referring to the method of Peter’s death?
Here’s another little free side lesson: all of the apostles, save John, were killed in some manner. To a person they died upholding the truth of the Gospel. Ask yourself this question; would they (or you) have died some horrible death for something they knew to be false? That alone should boost our faith in the promises of God.
Okay, now we finally get to the questions and their answers. After being told about his death by Jesus, Peter looks around and sees John (vs 21-22). He asks question Nr. 1: "Lord, what shall this man do?" As in, "what about John? What will his death be like?"
It is Jesus’ answer to that question that brings about question Nr. 2. He says: "If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?" Then He answers both Peter’s and His own question by saying: "Follow thou me!"
Just like our kids do and just like the human nature in us, Peter is concerned that he’s being treated differently than others. Kids say: "he/she doesn’t have to mow the grass, etc, why do I? Parents answer: "It doesn’t matter what they supposed to do, you do what I told you to do and don’t worry about what others do or don’t do." (Sound familiar?)
Do you think that Jesus’ statement meant that He was favoring one disciple over another? Of course not! No more than a parent favors one child over another - BUT - one kid gets different duties than the other due to abilities, attitudes, age and other factors. But it’s not unfairness, is it? But, it also may not be equal either. Does it mean that parents love one child more than the other/s? No more so than God loves some souls more than others.
It may come as a shock to you but, everything in this world is not equal. Some live longer than others. Some enjoy better health than others. Some just seem to lead "charmed lives"and some have more material things than others. The fact that the world isn’t equal does not mean that God isn’t. Everyone has the same Gospel - the same rules by which to please God. The same opportunities, if you will - BUT - are all going to be saved? Will everyone go to heaven? We know the answer to that, don’t we. NO!
Here’s what I get from this lesson. Ron Covey should be concerned with what Ron Covey is supposed to be doing. Not what someone else is either doing or not doing. I’m sorry, but this applies to each and every one of us. Some will have more or less abilities, more or less health which provides the ability to do various things that others aren’t able to do. BUT - it doesn’t matter. Each of us is to do what we can and not worry about what others are doing or not doing.
We will not be judged on what someone else did or didn’t do. We will answer for we did or did not do. I can’t work for you nor you for me. "Every man shall carry his own burden." (Gal. 6:5)
Ron Covey
For today’s editorial, I’m going to use a couple of questions asked of Jesus and His replies to them as a basis for us learning a lesson in human nature and personal responsibilities. The questions are ones we hear spoken quite often, especially if you’re a parent of more than one child.
You see, I subscribe to the Bill Cosby philosophy regarding children. He doesn’t think that you’re a real parent if you only have one child. It’s too easy. You know who did it (whatever, eat all the cookies or break the lamp). When we get to the questions you’ll see how this applies.
I’ll tell you who asked the questions and that too will probably not come as a surprise to you. The question asker is good old impetuous Peter. A very interesting character from the Bible, but we don’t have time nor space to take an in depth study of him here today. But, I will tell you a few things that I find interesting about him.
His nature was one of a rash talking and acting person. Sometimes he would be "right on" and then in the next minute say or do something rashly or impetuously. Peter was what we’d call impulsive. Perhaps over-eager at times and then would be aggressive and daring. And also at times he was sort of unstable and prone to take the wrong action or say the wrong words and thereby make mistakes. Sort of like all of us human beings at times.
However, because of Christ he could and did become a stable, courageous worker for the Gospel. I guess you could say that he became the "Rock" Jesus predicted he would be. (Matt, 16:18) Here’s something else I find interesting about Peter. His real name was Simon but in John 1:42 we see Jesus calling him "Cephas" which is a Syrian word signifying a "stone" that answers to the Greek word "Peter," a "rock." So, in reality, when we call him Peter we’re actually referring to him by his title rather than his name. And, I’ll throw this in for free, he is the only "Peter" in the Bible, just as there are no other Davids or Moses.
Well, let’s get on towards our questions and their respective answers. If you open your Bibles to the 21st chapter of John you’ll see them asked and answered. To sort of set the scene a little, you’ll find that Jesus has already been crucified and risen and that some time has passed since then. The apostles were back up at the Sea of Galilee having "gone fishing."
Jesus appears on the shore and calls out to them. Good old impetuous Peter can’t wait for the boat to bring him in, he jumps in and swims ashore. It’s a great reunion. They take the fish they’d caught and, if this was in Arkansas, we’d say they had a "fish fry." (Vs 13) After they were through eating, a conversation started up and it’s in this conversation that we find our questions and answers. And this is also where we find the human nature of Peter and I dare say, all of us.
First off, notice in verses 15-17 Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves him. The answer every time from Peter was "Yes." Interestingly, on the first occasion Jesus told him to "Feed my lambs." Then on the next two He told Peter to "Feed my sheep." I mention this in order to take you on a little side lesson here.
Jesus’ flock is the church. Just like a flock, it’s made up of all ages of sheep. Peter is told to "feed" them meaning watch over them, tend them, nurture them. See, Jesus is about to return to heaven and He’s leaving "His flock" in earthly hands. He’s telling Peter what his primary duty is - "feed" (take care of) the church. It’s as if to say "Peter, this is what I want you to do, and if you love me, you’ll do it."
Then Jesus tells Peter some words that I’m sure that Peter didn’t relish hearing, and human nature being what it is, we probably wouldn’t like hearing them either. Notice in verses 18-19 he tells Peter that in his younger years he’ll be able to go and do as he pleases.....BUT - when he gets old, he’ll suffer. Boy, are those not words of truth that fit all of us?
In verse 19 we find this to be an explanation given to Peter about his death. And, that his death would "glorify God." Then Christ says the words: "Follow me!" I don’t see anything to show that Peter had any doubt about what Jesus was talking about. Think about it a moment. When Jesus said those words "Follow me" and said that his death would "glorify God" could He had been referring to the method of Peter’s death?
Here’s another little free side lesson: all of the apostles, save John, were killed in some manner. To a person they died upholding the truth of the Gospel. Ask yourself this question; would they (or you) have died some horrible death for something they knew to be false? That alone should boost our faith in the promises of God.
Okay, now we finally get to the questions and their answers. After being told about his death by Jesus, Peter looks around and sees John (vs 21-22). He asks question Nr. 1: "Lord, what shall this man do?" As in, "what about John? What will his death be like?"
It is Jesus’ answer to that question that brings about question Nr. 2. He says: "If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?" Then He answers both Peter’s and His own question by saying: "Follow thou me!"
Just like our kids do and just like the human nature in us, Peter is concerned that he’s being treated differently than others. Kids say: "he/she doesn’t have to mow the grass, etc, why do I? Parents answer: "It doesn’t matter what they supposed to do, you do what I told you to do and don’t worry about what others do or don’t do." (Sound familiar?)
Do you think that Jesus’ statement meant that He was favoring one disciple over another? Of course not! No more than a parent favors one child over another - BUT - one kid gets different duties than the other due to abilities, attitudes, age and other factors. But it’s not unfairness, is it? But, it also may not be equal either. Does it mean that parents love one child more than the other/s? No more so than God loves some souls more than others.
It may come as a shock to you but, everything in this world is not equal. Some live longer than others. Some enjoy better health than others. Some just seem to lead "charmed lives"and some have more material things than others. The fact that the world isn’t equal does not mean that God isn’t. Everyone has the same Gospel - the same rules by which to please God. The same opportunities, if you will - BUT - are all going to be saved? Will everyone go to heaven? We know the answer to that, don’t we. NO!
Here’s what I get from this lesson. Ron Covey should be concerned with what Ron Covey is supposed to be doing. Not what someone else is either doing or not doing. I’m sorry, but this applies to each and every one of us. Some will have more or less abilities, more or less health which provides the ability to do various things that others aren’t able to do. BUT - it doesn’t matter. Each of us is to do what we can and not worry about what others are doing or not doing.
We will not be judged on what someone else did or didn’t do. We will answer for we did or did not do. I can’t work for you nor you for me. "Every man shall carry his own burden." (Gal. 6:5)
Ron Covey
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