Today’s devotion builds on the thoughts from Sunday’s Sermon – Week 9 of “Fan or Follower – Be Faithful!” (LISTEN HERE).
John 21:17 The third time he said to him, “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.
It’s nice to be trusted.
It’s hard to trust.
When the Master trusted the three servants with a portion of his estate, it was a big deal. He relinquished a valuable portion of his assets to three individuals. He knew their abilities and perhaps you can conclude he was willing to take a bigger risk on the one who had more capability to handle his affairs.
Yet he trusted each one.
It’s nice to be trusted. Who knows how many servants the Master had, but he trusted these three. If you are in sales and someone chooses to buy from you and says, “Because I trust you.” That’s a big deal. Trust is built over time and easy to lose. Ask any husband or wife whose spouse has cheated on them. It’s hard to trust again.
Trust is lost when we are unfaithful. If you sell something that doesn’t work, the customer probably isn’t going to trust you again. If you break your marriage promise, chances are your marriage is over. If you cheat on a test, your teacher will always have a bit of skepticism on your taking of future tests.
It’s amazing when someone trusts us AGAIN after we have broken their trust.
Which is why God’s trust of us is AMAZING.
How many times have we given God the opportunity NOT to trust us?
Consider…how many times have we squandered time for selfish or sinful activity that did the opposite of what God would desire?
Consider…how many times have we acted in an unloving way to the people in our home or workplace or classroom when God has entrusted us to steward his love to all?
Consider…how many times we have placed the purchase of worldly goods above our giving to the Lord, leaving us in debt and unable to give generously?
Too many times. Enough times for God to say, “I don’t trust you.”
Yet in his mercy, he chooses to trust us again.
Peter’s record as a disciple we can relate with. At one moment a profound confession of Christ, the next a stumbling block to Jesus’ mission. At one moment, profound trust to walk on water, the next sinking with eyes focused on waves instead of Jesus. At one moment, a bold statement of willingness to die for or with Jesus, the next denying he even knows him.
Yet…
Jesus still trusts him to lead and feed his lambs and sheep.
Before returning to heaven, Jesus took time to ensure Peter knew he trusted him. Stepping aside from the other disciples, Jesus asked three times, “Do you love me?” Peter was hurt as it matched his three-fold denial just a few weeks earlier. Yet, his heart was not still in denial. “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
To the heart that loved the Lord, more was entrusted. “Feed my sheep.”
Our lives waver. Sin wins at times. Yet by the grace of God and the power of God’s Spirit our heart remains connected to Jesus.
And he trusts us with his gifts to do his work.
Let’s be faithful with them!
Apply: What “Peter moments” have you had which your following of Jesus is less than noble? What recognition do you have that Jesus trusts you with gifts and resources to serve him?
Prayer: Lord God, thank you for trusting me with your love and grace. Lead me to faithful steward the same. AMEN.