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Diggin' DeepDo You Love Me?
by T. Suzanne Eller (Suzie's bio)
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Scene One:
Simon (also called Peter) said, "Lord I am ready to go to jail with you, and even to die with you."
But Jesus said, "Peter, let me tell you something. Between now and tomorrow morning when the rooster crows, you will deny me three times, declaring that you don't even know me.
Luke 22:33-34 (The Living Bible)
Scene Two:
About an hour later someone else flatly stated, "I know this fellow is one of Jesus' disciples, for both are from Galilee."
But Peter said, "Man, I don't know what you are talking about." And as he said the words, a rooster crowed. At that moment Jesus turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered what he had said—"Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny me three times. And Peter walked out of the courtyard, crying bitterly.
Luke 23:59-62 (The Living Bible)
Scene Three:
Peter ran to the tomb to look. Stooping, he peered in and saw the empty linen wrappings; and then he went back home again, wondering what had happened.
Luke 24:12 (The Living Bible)
Scene Four:
Simon Peter said, "I'm going fishing."
"We'll come too," we all said. We did, but caught nothing all night. At dawn we saw a man standing on the beach but couldn't see who he was.
He called, "Any fish, boys?"
"No," we replied.
"Then I said to Peter. "It is the Lord!" At that, Peter put on his tunic and jumped into the water and swam ashore.
John 21:3-5; 7 (Living Bible)
Scene Five:
After breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these others?"
"Yes," Peter replied, "you know I am your friend."
"Then feed my lambs," Jesus told him.
John 21:15 (Living Bible)
Diggin' Deep
Jesus went on to ask Peter twice more if he really loved him. Each time Peter said yes. In fact, he was frustrated that Jesus would ask him the same question three times. Each time that Peter answered, Jesus said simply, "feed my sheep".
Jesus had watched as Peter jumped into the water fully-clothed, excited at the thought that the man waiting on the beach might be his friend and Savior. When the wet man stumbled on the beach, Jesus cooked him a breakfast of fish. Than when they were alone, he didn't remind Peter of his betrayal, but rather reminded him of their relationship.
It's no accident that Christ asked the question three times. Each time that Peter reemphasized his love for Christ, it was as if Christ reached in a nd healed the grief Peter felt over his betrayal. But Christ didn't stop there. He let Peter know that he believed in him, trusting him to carry on the work of sharing the good news.
Do you feel as if you have failed God? If the answer is yes, may I ask you a question? Do you love him? Do you really love him?
He loves you too.
Copyright 2001, 2002, Real Teens, Real Stories, Real Life, T. Suzanne Eller, Dare To Believe. Permission must be granted to reprint any item in any form. Please feel free to send the newsletter in its entirety to your friends. The stories and poems should not be added to a web site without permission of T. Suzanne Eller or the individual author.
Crosshome.com is a mirrored site and has permission to publish this newsletter for teens.
| About T. Suzanne Eller: T. Suzanne Eller is an author and inspirational speaker. She has published over 300 articles in magazines such as Today's Christian Woman, Guideposts, Woman's World and numerous others. Her story was recently featured on PAX network's "It's a Miracle". She has a passion for teens, speaking and working with teens across the nation. E-mail T. Suzanne Eller |
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