The Lord wants every Christian to have a resounding faith. This faith must first be received and it persists in faithfulness.
Simon Peter had sinned grievously against the Lord. But because Jesus bore his sins on His body on the cross, there was forgiveness for him. Moreover, there was restoration waiting for him. Jesus restored this man. He could never be Rocky on his own by his own strength and will-power, but the Lord takes this man and brings him low before bringing him high. He humbles him before exalting him.
Jesus treated His disciples better than they deserved. He demonstrated to them His mercy, His provision, and His kindness. This is the Lord’s dealings with His elect. He will woo them and draw them to faith and repentance. This is indeed how the Lord deals with His elect throughout the ages. Those whom He has chosen He showers His kindness to lead them to repentance—though at times with the rod. May our hearts be warmed and led to surrender to the Lord in sweet yieldedness toward Him.
Every Christians learns how to be faithful from other faithful Christians. Therefore, we all must strive to conform to the perfect Man, Jesus Christ so that we can be an example to others.
Jesus drew out of Simon these confessions of love. Jesus then entrusted to him the great privilege of the care of HIs flock, the apple of His eye. Jesus did not deal with Peter according to his sins; He bore his sins on His body on the cross and made him a shepherd in His likeness.
The Lord saw their needs and He gave them an impressive catch as a token of His provision for them. But He gave them much more than sustenance; He taught them a vital spiritual lesson.
Suffering is an unavoidable reality for Christian sojourners living in a fallen world. In this passage, Peter teaches that enduring unjust suffering with righteousness and patience is not meaningless, but finds favor with God when done for the sake of conscience toward Him. This lesson calls believers to live righteously, endure patiently, and seek God’s favor as we await our eternal home.
As sojourners in this world, Christians are called to maintain a good testimony through humble submission and faithful obedience. This passage teaches believers to have a right view of governing authorities under God’s sovereignty, to do what is right by submitting to them for the Lord’s sake, and to seek above all to please God. This lesson reminds us that submission and righteous living are powerful witnesses that silence opposition and point others to Christ.
As God’s people living as strangers and exiles in this world, we are engaged in a real spiritual battle. Fleshly lusts do not merely tempt us—they wage war against our souls, seeking to weaken our devotion to Christ and damage our witness before others. At the same time, God calls His people to live lives marked by moral excellence, so that even in the face of slander, our good deeds may point others to His glory. This lesson reminds us that sin harms both our inner life and our testimony, while holiness displays the transforming power of God for the praise of His name.
Before, Israel could only worship God from afar, but God had instructed Israel to build a tabernacle so that He could dwell in the middle of the camp! This was really exciting. So how would God’s people worship Him?
The Israelites have sinned against God and He will not go with them to the promised land. Moses begs God to go with them -- how can they be different from other nations if He doesn’t go with them? What will God say and do? We will see God’s answer.
God and Israel have made a covenant and God says He will dwell among Israel, but they quickly sin against God! The people God saved from slavery to be His own possession turned from Him to worship idols. What will God do?
