New Day

Your past does not define you

There were no days off for a knight. No vacations. No sick leave. Every morning was a new opportunity to defend the king and protect those in his kingdom. Special care was given to orphans and widows. Protection from invaders was given to all people. There were class divisions – serfs, slaves, priests, aristocrats- yet the duty of the knight, and the providence of the king were mutually experienced by all. Each morning a knight had to gird himself with the armor suitable for the day’s task, prepare his weapons, and be on guard.

We can see a parallel with today’s modern knights – our armed forces. Military men and women stay ready to protect and defend their fellow citizens, and carry out orders. No days off, just the task before them. Our police officers, fire-crew, and E.M.T.’s. They serve and protect everyone equally.

Of course, there are those who do not treat others equally. There are those knights who fight for their own cause, and not for the good of the people. Those who are rebellious and serve themselves instead of the people or the king. When we read these stories, we see some who choose to stay in their rebellion (like Sir Mordred), and we see those who are restored to places of honor (Sir Lancelot) after humbling themselves before the king.

One such story – not of knights, but from the Bible – shows Peter, an impassioned disciple of Jesus, being restored to do the work of his King.

In the twenty-first chapter of John’s gospel, Jesus asks Peter repetitively if he loves Him. Each time Peter answers “yes Lord, you know that I love you.”

Just previously before when Jesus was being arrested and sent to be crucified, Peter denied being a disciple of Jesus to many inquisitive scoffers. He was afraid in that moment to be known openly as a follower of Christ. His normally passionate, or zealous disposition gave way to fear, doubt, and self-preserving pride.

Jesus had foretold of Peter’s denial…

 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward.” 

Peter said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” 

 Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.

John 13:36-38

Now, here in chapter 21, Jesus is asking Peter three times if he loves Him, as if to cancel out the previous three denials. It is poignant. It is direct and difficult for Peter to hear. It obviously brings out the feelings of guilt and shame Peter felt after the denials initially happened. We see his frustration grow as each question pierces like a knife to Peter’s heart. And that is precisely the point. Jesus was restoring Peter’s purpose and his heart.

It’s interesting to note that each time Peter answered Jesus, the Greek word Peter used for “love” was phileō; which is a personal and caring form of the word love, like a best friend or family member you have a close attachment to. This form is also used closely with words in the Greek that associate it with choice or thought – something of the mind. Whereas, Jesus’ first two questions to Peter used the Greek word agapaō which is typically viewed as a higher, deeper form of love; one that is all consuming and is closely associated with words like passion, and to delight in – something of the heart. On His third and final question, Jesus comes down to Peter’s level with the same phileō form of the verb.

Remember, just before his denials, Peter was foolishly saying he was ready to lay down his life for Jesus. Now it seems that Jesus was pressing Peter on this fact; did he love Jesus completely, boldly, passionately? Was Peter fully ready for the fight before him? Committed? Consumed? A kind of love that goes beyond choice but defines who he is. Then coming down to Peter’s level on that final question, it’s as if Jesus asked “do you even care about me,” or “can you even choose to call me friend before others?”

A jab to the heart…

Jesus was making it clear that His initial call of “Follow Me” was not simply a choice of mind but an all consuming passion of the heart. If the disciples were going to follow Him to the point of death, preaching the truth of the gospel and loving others the way Jesus did, it would take an agapaō kind of love. Bold commitment. No looking back. Peter’s shame was in the past, he can’t allow his mistakes to consume him, because new mercy is freely given. Jesus restored Peter to a place of honor, a place of purpose, and gave him his orders: “feed my sheep.”

Each day is a new day. As a husband and father there are no days off. No vacations. I must be ready to protect and defend at all times. Gird myself daily with the armor of God, and prepare my weapons. I must battle for the hearts and minds of my wife and children.

But the battle for my family is a spiritual one. I must submit myself, and come humbly before my King. Past mistakes will not consume me. His mercies are new everyday. Do I care about God – or am I consumed by Him?

He has given me a family (a flock) to shepherd. I must lead, protect, nurture, be observant and caring at all times to answer the call; “feed my sheep.”

Conviction is difficult but necessary to follow Him. Sadly, many men don’t care to know Him at all. And too many are happy to care about Jesus once a week. They are friendly to the cause but will do nothing about it. How different would our world be if more men would be consumed with passion for God, and not simply aware of Him? To be moved daily with purpose and a warrior spirit, fighting for the souls of our children, wives, communities, and nation?

Your past may have influenced you, molded you, even helped you grow and mature, but it does not define you. Your passions define you. God defines you. His mercies are new everyday. You will not be consumed, but victorious. What’s holding you back, warrior?