A walk

John chap 15 vs 17.....15When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

16Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

17The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?”He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

Most of us are familiar with the crucifixion and death and resurrection of Jesus. If you are not familiar with the events in 33 AD , you can read what transpired in any of the gospels. 

This particular event happened after Jesus resurrection, Peter  had denied Jesus the night He stood trail, In fact he denied the Lord 3 times. Peter had been told previously that he would deny the Lord 3 times and Peter being human said he would not do that. Peter was full of guilt and remorse especially after the Lords death on the cross. The disciples {all of them} did not believe that Jesus would rise from the dead, as he had told them he would. So they all found a hiding place and kept a low profile. The only people who were there when they crucified the Lord , was Mary and his Mother Mary and John. The rest scurried like cockroaches when the lights are turned on. 

The Lord, as foretold in Biblical prophecy, rose from the dead, and the authorities tried to cover it up and say His disciples stole his body. 'Funny how politicians lie to cover their own sins. Jesus appeared to the disciples after his death several times. His disciples including Peter celebrated and were anxious to be with Him.  I can only imagine how they felt when they saw Him alive, all of them were sorry for what they had done, and the Lord being who He is was merciful and forgave them and restored them.

On this particular occasion the Lord took Peter aside and asked him these things. Peter was forced to search his soul and heart to give truthful answers, answers that had repercussion's through out the history of the world. Peter was told that he would die a martyrs death. If any one believes that Peter found these truths comforting then you have not lived. 

According to Foxes book of Martyrs, Peter was in Rome preaching to the Church in Rome. The Christians were being forced into slavery and taken to the Roman Coliseum and being fed to the Lions. The church was hiding in the Catacombs of Rome, most of us would call it a sewer. Peter was  preaching and someone came to him and said the Romans are on their way and they are going to arrest you. So Peter left and was fleeing for his life. When out side of Rome, The Lord appeared to Peter and asked him where he was going. Peter response was , they are going to kill me I have to run for my life. Jesus turned and started walking towards Rome and Peter asked him where he was going, Jesus said I have to go to Rome to give my life because you will not. Peter then understood and said, Lord I will go. Peter was put in trial and sentenced to die on a cross just like Jesus did. Peter told them do not hang me right side up, hang me up side down for I am not worthy of dying like my Lord. The life of a disciple is not the best life but its a life worth living.

The older I get there are occasions that cause me to question what I am doing in my Christian walk. Is it a strong walk or is a walk that lets the wind push me. Up until 7 years ago I would have to admit that my walk was windblown and constantly in a mode of survival. Some say age brings wisdom and maturity, do not know about that, only know that working alone in a truck driving all over the country gave me a perspective on life that very few can have. I was blessed in that the journey was life changing. I was forced to repent and reconcile my life to the will of the Lord. Some will say well you really were not saved then but now you are.I was saved then and I am saved now, that never changed. What changed was my will it became the Lords will. I finally understand that I cannot change what happened yesterday or what happened 40 years ago. I have today and today is a gift from the Lord and I am grateful that I have the gift.

One of the prayers I prayed was for the Lord to restore me and give me the desire of my heart. He did all of that and more, He gave me a good wife and friend. Who has stood beside me in tough times and it has been tough, both money wise and emotionally. We have with stood storms that would destroy most couple. Yes the storms still come, in the midst of the storm I hear the Lords voice and He calms the waters. 

In all of this the world around us has deteriorated, the world marches onto to a one world government led by the President of the United States. People have turned a blind eye to what is  really going on and unfortunately we are now officially in the day when good is called evil and evil is called good. All of this as foretold in the Bible. Perhaps each of us has to come to a cross roads like Peter did and really decide if we are going live for Christ and then do it. You see someone standing up in Church and professing their faith in Christ is one thing, most folks can do that. But can you stand up in front of a hostile crowd or group of people that want you to just go away, because they do not have any interest in the truth. The Christians in the middle east have been beheaded and they are wondering when is the Lord going to come and stop this. I sit and watch and listen and ask myself when is this infernal insanity going to stop. When will our rights and our once great country be restored? I pray and ask the Lord to give me peace and manage with what he has given me. I am grateful for the life I have and if the Lord requires something more I am willing to do it, I would like the think I would do it without hesitation, but in the end the Lords will , will be done in my life.

What about your life, where are you this resurrection day, this most Holy day of the year. This is a good day to ponder and pray and ask the Lord to restore or strengthen you, or even save you from your own sins. Then go on and live a life worthy of Jesus.