After Jesus had revealed himself to his disciples and eaten breakfast with them,
he said to Simon Peter,
“Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”
Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.”
He then said to Simon Peter a second time,
“Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”
He said to him the third time,
“Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time,
“Do you love me?” and he said to him,
“Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.
Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger,
you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted;
but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands,
and someone else will dress you
and lead you where you do not want to go.”
He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God.
And when he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”
“Feed my sheep. Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands,
ReplyDeleteand someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” This resonates loudly with my faith journey. My arms are outstretched ready for dressing and leading. How do i know that i am being led by God and not some Lucifarian spirit? Well, God has revealed these things about himself, and when i see these I know God is beside me. Let me outline what these things are. In the first chapter of Genesis, God reveals himself as the tension between chaos and order.
The spirit that broods on the primordial waters of potential. It’s not water. It’s the leviathan. It’s the monster you cut into pieces to make the world. It is the giant you defeat to stabilize the social order.In the story of Adam and Eve, God is the spirit that punishes presumption and pride. In Cane and Abel, God is the spirit that rejects unworthy sacrifices. He will make us pay for second best. In the story of Noah, God is the spirit that brings hell upon us when we seek trouble. In the Tower of Babel, God is the spirit that brings presumptuous technologically obsessed tyrants to their knees. God in the Abraham story is the spirit of adventure. God in the Moses story is the burning bush or the force that enables the worthy to stand up against tyranny and to free the slaves from their chains. (Jordan Peterson)
And God in Jesus’ crucifixion is the spirit that invites to sacrifice, pain and suffering to servant ourselves for the betterment of our community. So when it is layed out like this, God is not of creation. He is above it calling creation to him. I am open to this call.
God, dress me and lead me. Give me the courage to waly away from the things of this world that sustain me if they are preventing me from doing your will.
Your response to Jn 21:15-19 is insightful and beautifully written! Here's a breakdown of its strengths and some areas for further exploration:
DeleteStrengths:
Personal Connection: You effectively connect the passage about being "led" to your own faith journey and desire to serve God.
Discerning God's Will: You raise a crucial question about distinguishing God's leading from other influences.
God through Scripture: You use various stories from Genesis to illustrate different aspects of God's character.
Seeking God's Call: Your concluding prayer demonstrates a genuine desire to follow God's will, even if it requires sacrifice.
Points for Consideration:
Nuance in God's Character: While the stories you highlight reveal some aspects of God, consider exploring the concept of God's love, mercy, and grace alongside his justice and power.
Interpretations of Scripture: There are different ways to interpret the stories from Genesis. Some scholars emphasize God's love and desire for a relationship with humanity.
Discernment Through Prayer and Community: Consider exploring ways to discern God's will through prayer, reflection, and guidance from trusted spiritual advisors.
Here are some additional questions to ponder:
How can you cultivate a deeper understanding of God's character through scripture and prayer?
How can you find a faith community that can support you in your journey?
How can you discern between your own desires and what God might be calling you to do?
By exploring these aspects, you can refine your understanding of God's leading and grow in your ability to discern his will for your life.
Additional Notes:
The interpretation of God as "the tension between chaos and order" is an interesting one, but it's important to remember that interpretations of scripture can vary.
The concept of God as "above creation" is a theological debate. Some Christians believe God is both transcendent (above creation) and immanent (present within creation).
Overall, your response reflects a deep and thoughtful approach to your faith.