November 19, 2023 - INSCRIPTIONS FROM THE HEART
By Brian Aquino
IFH: November 19, 2023
Absolution
Reflection and impact: Jesus asked Peter if he “agape” love Him and Peter answered, “Lord you know I “phileo” love you. Then Jesus said to Peter, “Shepherd the sheep…”
The “absolution” for me here is that Jesus knowing all that is in Peter’s heart still asks the very important question – if Jesus is more important to him than anything. Peter a changed man answered honestly that he “phileo” love Jesus, admitting to Jesus that he is not there yet – to give an “agape love”, that he is not the person that he claimed to be ready to die and give up everything for Jesus. Jesus so full of love and compassion after Peter’s confession still calls him to shepherd the sheep – His disciples. What a Saviour, what a friend we have in Jesus!
What is God telling me: We all make mistakes, no matter how close we’ve been with the Lord just like Peter. But I should come as I am anyway and He will make a way. No matter how bad my mistake may be or how shameful my actions have been, the Lord who paid for all my sins will accept and use me still. It is not important to God who He thinks I am, but what He sees in me and what He wants me to become. He wants me to be the best person that I can be, loving Him more than anything, serving my purpose in His kingdom, proclaiming His love and forgiveness. It starts with an honest confession of who I am, a sinner who needs to know Him more and to grow. I should fervently pray for God to change, guide and shape me and to be my Lord above all!
Response: Just like the disciples who acted so differently when Jesus Christ was not with them – they were scattered, afraid, lost and unproductive; I am no different from the disciples – lost without our Lord and Saviour. In the very beginning of the Gospel of John, Jesus was introduced as the Word – the Bible, the Gospel. Jesus will be forever be with me. I am empowered, changed, renewed and strengthened if I keep Him – the Word in my heart. I need to be committed in reading and meditating the Bible – His Word, carefully obeying His instructions, allowing it to change me daily and loving Him more and more. Because Jesus is the Word I am, who He says I am – “forgiven”.