Peter’s Saturday evening contemplations about Thursday night.  John 13

• Jesus’ new command to be known as people who love.
  
  
• Jesus showing love beyond comprehension in washing their feet.
  
  
• What is this new covenant?

Recalling his sermon: God’s type of love is not limited.  Matthew 5:43-48

• Love your enemy. (44a)
  • Doesn’t stop at avoiding retaliation.
  • It means truly caring for them as if they were your closest friend.
  • Wow! While being arrested Thursday night, Jesus took care of that soldier whose ear I cut off. Compassion and care for his soul. 
  • I thought I was having his back.

• Pray for those who persecute you. (44b)
  • What a battle for the mind, to wrest away the thoughts of anger and replace it with prayer for them.
  • “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
  • A centurion soldier declaring “Surely he was the Son of God.”
  • Forgive me for such a cruel heart.
  • God forgive me for running at the first sign of persecution or trouble.

• God looks out for all people- righteous and unrighteous. (45b)
  • I wasn’t righteous when he invited me to join him.
  • I haven’t been righteous these past two days.
  • I didn’t get clean before I came to him, I came to him to get clean.

• God’s type of love goes beyond loving those who love you back. (46-47)
  • “Am I any different than a tax collector or pagan?”
  • I am filled with judgment, envy, and pride.

• I am not perfect, for I have failed him. (48) 

Awakened Sunday morning to stunning news.

• The tomb is empty.
  
  
• An angel said that he has risen.
  
  
• I run to the tomb to discover that she is correct.
  
  
• Mixed emotions: I am filled with incredible wonder, but also fear.

Double-minded dilemma.  John 21:3-14

• I want to see him, but I am embarrassed for my actions.
  
  
• How will he respond to me?
  
  
• Finding peace while in inner conflict—go fishing.
  
  
• Jesus shows up and a repeat of full nets happens.
  
  
• Peter jumps out of the boat and heads to shore as fast as he can.

Love wins.  John 21:15-19

• Do you love me? 3x
  
  
• 3x Peter affirms his love.
  
  
• Jesus declares that Peter will indeed love Jesus to the greatest end—death.
  
  
• Peter’s heart was won over by a crimson love and he became the leader of a message and movement of love—we stand on that story.
  
  
• Our dead bones and wretched hearts are now given new life. Thank you Jesus!

Benediction:

“Greater love has no one than this; to lay down one’s life for ones friends…This is my command: love each other.” John 15:13, 17