I
like this picture because of its simplicity. Simple but meaningful.
Someone made a “thorny crown” of barbed fence wire, used a bit of
light to shine on a Bible to show the love of God.
Looking
at the text of the Bible, it appears to be from the Gospel of John;
wrote by the apostle whom Jesus loved. John’s Gospel has always
been a favorite of mine; especially the chapter below….
John
21 ( World
English Bible
)
[1] After these things, Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples
at the sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself this way. [2] Simon
Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the
sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. [3]
Simon Peter said to them, “I’m going fishing.” They told him,
“We are also coming with you.” They immediately went out, and
entered into the boat. That night, they caught nothing.
[4] But when day had already come, Jesus stood on the beach, yet
the disciples didn’t know that it was Jesus. [5] Jesus therefore
said to them, “Children, have you anything to eat?” They answered
him, “No.” [6] He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side
of the boat, and you will find some.” They cast it therefore, and
now they weren’t able to draw it in for the multitude of fish. [7]
That disciple therefore whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the
Lord!” So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he wrapped
his coat around him (for he was naked), and threw himself into the
sea. [8] But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they
were not far from the land, but about two hundred cubits* 200 cubits
is about 100 yards or about 91 meters away), dragging the net full of
fish.
[9] So when they got out on the land, they saw a fire of coals there,
and fish laid on it, and bread. [10] Jesus said to them, “Bring
some of the fish which you have just caught.” [11] Simon Peter went
up, and drew the net to land, full of great fish, one hundred
fifty-three; and even though there were so many, the net wasn’t
torn. [12] Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast.” None of
the disciples dared inquire of him, “Who are you?” knowing that
it was the Lord. [13] Then Jesus came and took the bread, gave it to
them, and the fish likewise. [14] This is now the third time that
Jesus was revealed to his disciples, after he had risen from the
dead.
[15] So when they had eaten their breakfast, Jesus said to Simon
Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me more than these?” He
said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you.”
He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” [16] He said to him again a
second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me?” He said to
him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you.” He said
to him, “Tend my sheep.” [17] He said to him the third time,
“Simon, son of Jonah, do you have affection for me?” Peter was
grieved because he asked him the third time, “Do you have affection
for me?” He said to him, “Lord, you know everything. You know
that I have affection for you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my
sheep. [18] Most certainly I tell you, when you were young, you
dressed yourself, and walked where you wanted to. But when you are
old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you, and
carry you where you don’t want to go.” [19] Now he said this,
signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. When he had
said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”
[20] Then Peter, turning around, saw a disciple following. This was
the disciple whom Jesus sincerely loved, the one who had also leaned
on Jesus’ breast at the supper and asked, “Lord, who is going to
betray You?” [21] Peter seeing him, said to Jesus, “Lord, what
about this man?” [22] Jesus said to him, “If I desire that he
stay until I come, what is that to you? You follow
me.”
I
find this chapter interesting, not only because of Jesus’ repeated
questioning of Peter’s love, but also because it is really an
epilogue to the Gospel as a whole (Notice
the ending of chapter 20 – vss. 30 & 31).
Thomas had doubted Jesus and then in the 21st
chapter we see the disciples going fishing. Why? Could it be that
they were going back to their previous occupation because they really doubted Jesus? Jesus helps them
even in their desire to catch fish, then repeatedly questions Peter
about his love. Jesus’
response to Peter of feed my sheep (in various forms) indicates to me
that Peter was to do something more than just take care of his own
needs, he was to do something. After this exchange, Peter again
questions Jesus about John. Jesus deflects the question and gives
Peter another command: follow me.
Put
this all these things together and you have a charge that is most
interesting to me: If you love me, really love me, then show your
love by following in my footsteps.
Jesus
showed his love on the cross (the picture above) and we in turn are
to show ours by following
Jesus. Today,
I will think about Jesus’
two words of exhortation to
Peter (follow me) and how I
can apply them to my life. I hope you will do the same!