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Family Tree 12.10.20

Family Tree Devotional Series - Week 2 – Love – Pastor Mark White
God’s Love Redeems and Restores


John 21:15a (ESV)
“When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”


After Jesus’ resurrection, Peter and some other disciples went fishing. All night long, they fished but caught nothing. A man on the beach called out, telling them to fish on the right side of their boat. What difference would that make? But they did as he said, and their net filled with fish!
John said, “It’s the Lord!” And Peter jumped out of the boat to wade ashore. He found Jesus cooking a breakfast of fish.

Jesus had unfinished business with Peter. Peter had denied Jesus three times during his trial.  After the third denial, Jesus had looked straight at him, and Peter had gone out and wept bitterly. Now Jesus was back and wanted to restore Peter. “Simon,” he said, “do you love me more than these?” More than fishing? More than the friends he went fishing with daily?
Peter could only answer, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

Jesus asks the question three times, and it pounds on Peter’s soul. “Lord, you know everything; you know I love you,” as tears roll down his cheeks. Jesus says, “Feed my sheep.” And he graciously restores Peter, saying, “Follow me!”

Jesus redeems sinners and restores his disciples. He asks us, “Do you love me more than anything else—your career, possessions, friends, and even family?  When we answer “Yes,” we know that he has redeemed and restored us.

Pray this with me:
Yes, Lord Jesus, we love you, and we want to love you more than anything. Please help us to feed your sheep and follow you. Amen.

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