After making shipwreck of my faith and vocation as Demas and Peter, I fled , but unlike Peter or Jonah, I fled for almost 30 years . This message hits me between the eyes as I am at a point of visiting churches to consider joining and feeling it an overwhelming task. I have fallen from ministry, don’t want to touch ministry, love reading my books at home , perhaps looking for excuses. Pray for me to pick up my cross and see only Jesus.
Your humble and heartfelt reflections are an encouragement to many who are walking a similar path. May God give you light for the next step day by day and assurance of his great pleasure and delight in who you are. A wonderful preacher once said that our ministry for God is wherever we find our feet planted each day for his glory-- the context of mundane or the magnificent and everywhere in between!
Realize friend, that you are hiding under a blanket of shame. Jesus doesn't cloak you in shame, he forgives you. He runs to you, to welcome you back, puts his best robe on you and has a banquet in your honor. Of course you don't deserve it. That isn't the point. He loves you. That's the point. 30 years isn't too long away to be welcomed back with open arms and delight. Cry in his arms at his amazing love for you. Let the tears wash the shame from you and know someone else will need to hear your story so they too can walk free without shame, with the One who always wants to walk along with us if we will but turn and look him in the eye. ❤
Thank you. This is me, perennially unable to LOVE (agape) Jesus. I had tears when you said Jesus met Peter where he was, and that Peter could start from there and could still serve Jesus. The Lord bless you. I'm so grateful that you've begun these teaching series.
God meets us where we are and we are so grateful to hear you have been touched by God's love and truth. We would love to hear more of your heart's reflections and carry on deeper conversations on our online community at www.Admirato.org. We are a supportive community and we love engaging in meaningful conversations as we grow in our learning and love of God together. I hope you will consider joining us!
A love that can overcome weakness and failure A love that makes us strong, "Jesus is meeting where Peter is"... This message is for me because God wants me to move forward. I was looking for a place to make things right for the things that I did, but this message spoke to me. God forgives and wants us to move for his ministry. Thank you, Professor Wright.
Thank you for taking the time to teach us about moving into our messy pasts and helping us understand that Jesus loves us right where we are and has good things for us to do that he has planned for us!
Again many great insights for thoughtful meditation and personal application as well as in ministry. So grateful to Prof Wright and the team for providing these so faithfully.
Spiritual rebirth = a sudden appearance of the kingdom of God and a transfer into it. A resurrection brought about by the crucified Christ, that suddenly appears as your savior.
Thanks, Tom for this reflection. I have to say that your translation that you use here really brings out the glorious truth that the Greek shows but which most translations ignore.
Your message today has echoed and affirmed a Devotion I had written for a church group concerning Thomas' doubt. My point is Jesus meets us where we are, not with condemnation, but with loving, understanding, forgiveness. I thank the Holy Spirit who guided me in writing that Devotion . Blessings!
May the Lord Jesus lead me where He wants even if that means being rejected by people and being defamed and even killed as He was! Rule in me Lord Jesus I invite others to submit to your rule as well!
Thank you for this explanation. You have clarified this particular dialogue for me and deepened my understanding of my faith. Most importantly it makes me not only appreciate Jesus more but love Him more…..
Zane, we do feel miserable when we sin, not because we fear God will leave us or punish us, but because, as new born children we do want to please God from the new heart He gives us. Our confession of every sin does not determine our relationship with God nor our salvation. Jesus Christ has done everything we needed to be right with God, to belong to Him. He now lives in you and gives you everything you need to live for Him. We still have an angry enemy who attacks and accuses, but the Holy Spirit helps us and grows us to discern these temptations and overcome them. When we fall, He picks us up and continues to train us in His infinite grace. I will pray for you to see and bask this amazing truth, Zane. Love drives out fear.
I really should try to learn New Testament Greek. That different translation of the word "love" by Peter throws a fresh light on the exchange. After what he did that night in the courtyard, Peter probably felt too ashamed and unworthy to use the word "love". Jesus could have hurt him by dragging it out of him but he didn't. He came to where Peter was and brought him home.
This one my favorite exchanges between Jesus and anyone. I've always struggled a bit understanding its meaning. Thank you for helping me understand it better 😊
Thank you for such a great reminder that God keeps on mending our connection with him. This is a reminder I needed this morning. Please continue to do amazing work
I've been having a hard time with forgiveness lately. At first, I thought God wanted me to go back and make up for all the wrong I've done, to reach out to everyone I've ever wronged and to make things right. I found that this task was never-ending. And it never left me with a sense of accomplishing God's will. I'm still struggling with this. I confessed to my wife all the wrongs I could remember, just to remember more the next day. Each day I would see more heartbreak in her eyes. I'm struggling with this sense that I'm supposed to confess every single time I slip up, but as I said before, the list is never ending. I feel as if I'm being disobedient to God if I don't do this. However, it feels like a compulsion and a fear that motivates the confessing. I am in a state of anxiety but I trust God will free me from this burden when he sees fit.
Thank you for sharing your reflections and for your vulnerability. You're not alone. Forgiveness can be a struggle in a variety of ways for most of us. One way to think about moving forward could be to envision forgiveness as a way of life (a lifestyle of living amends) and a craft that we learn in community (as Greg Jones talks about in 'Embodying Forgiveness'). As we trust in the promise of 1John 1:9, may we find freedom and grace for the journey.
I had always thought that Jesus asked Peter 3 times to let him go back & correct his wrong. But I also saw forgiveness on Jesus's part ... letting him know & FEEL he made amends while giving him a mission. You know we are allowed free will but what ever we do is promised to be forgiven BUT we must face the consequences of those decisions & KNOW zTge Lord is with us in them. ❤❤Thank you Jesus for you sacrifice on our behalf
FOLLOW ME...should be like you are going to a place you don't know, the only person who knows is in front of you, You have to very focus on that person so you won't lose him. There are all kinds of obstacles and distractions. But your eyes should never leave him. This is how we should follow Jesus, our Lord.
Which bible is that you are using? I looked all resources to find that wording where Peter says Yes God I am your friend. Please can you tell me which bible you are using.
Thank you for your question! N.T. Wright is using the New Testament for Everyone (NTFE) translation. www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+21%3A15-19&version=NTFE --NTW Online Team
After making shipwreck of my faith and vocation as Demas and Peter, I fled , but unlike Peter or Jonah, I fled for almost 30 years . This message hits me between the eyes as I am at a point of visiting churches to consider joining and feeling it an overwhelming task. I have fallen from ministry, don’t want to touch ministry, love reading my books at home , perhaps looking for excuses. Pray for me to pick up my cross and see only Jesus.
Your humble and heartfelt reflections are an encouragement to many who are walking a similar path. May God give you light for the next step day by day and assurance of his great pleasure and delight in who you are. A wonderful preacher once said that our ministry for God is wherever we find our feet planted each day for his glory-- the context of mundane or the magnificent and everywhere in between!
@@NTWrightOnline Thank you for your helpful response and your obedience in faithfully speaking the word of reconciliation all these years!
Praying for you :) We’re all lost sheep without the Shepherd. Encouraged by how the LORD is calling you back :)
Remember repentance is the first step back. Forget of trying to do something to made acceptable. First things first, others follow.
Realize friend, that you are hiding under a blanket of shame. Jesus doesn't cloak you in shame, he forgives you. He runs to you, to welcome you back, puts his best robe on you and has a banquet in your honor. Of course you don't deserve it. That isn't the point. He loves you. That's the point. 30 years isn't too long away to be welcomed back with open arms and delight. Cry in his arms at his amazing love for you. Let the tears wash the shame from you and know someone else will need to hear your story so they too can walk free without shame, with the One who always wants to walk along with us if we will but turn and look him in the eye. ❤
2 Timothy 2:19 assures us He knows His people!
Thanks 💜
Great Voice 💌
I love also that John is following. Why? To intercede with Jesus for Peter, and with Peter for Jesus. Such love.
Thank you. This is me, perennially unable to LOVE (agape) Jesus. I had tears when you said Jesus met Peter where he was, and that Peter could start from there and could still serve Jesus.
The Lord bless you. I'm so grateful that you've begun these teaching series.
God meets us where we are and we are so grateful to hear you have been touched by God's love and truth. We would love to hear more of your heart's reflections and carry on deeper conversations on our online community at www.Admirato.org. We are a supportive community and we love engaging in meaningful conversations as we grow in our learning and love of God together. I hope you will consider joining us!
A love that can overcome weakness and failure A love that makes us strong, "Jesus is meeting where Peter is"... This message is for me because God wants me to move forward. I was looking for a place to make things right for the things that I did, but this message spoke to me. God forgives and wants us to move for his ministry. Thank you, Professor Wright.
Wonderful reflection. Yes, a divine forgiveness for us as we return to God, which then energises us as we return to our work in his world.
@@NTWrightOnline Amen!. Thank you Professor Wright
Thank you for taking the time to teach us about moving into our messy pasts and helping us understand that Jesus loves us right where we are and has good things for us to do that he has planned for us!
christ died for our sins ,was buried adn rose again o nthe 3rd day, all is paid by his shed blood, beleive the gospel to get saved
Jesus meets us where we are 🙏
Peter, follow me, however hard...🙏
Again many great insights for thoughtful meditation and personal application as well as in ministry. So grateful to Prof Wright and the team for providing these so faithfully.
Yes, thank you for speaking the words as they really were. I love that Jesus bends accepts Peter in the place where he is at.
Awesome analysis
i Feel like Peter does at this moment all the time , but I still have faith it must be a miracle! Thanks for your labor in the faith !
We're glad you're here. Persevering in faith together is one of the things this community is all about.
I love how clearly present the scriptures. In a way that’s amazing. Thank you.
Spiritual rebirth = a sudden appearance of the kingdom of God and a transfer into it. A resurrection brought about by the crucified Christ, that suddenly appears as your savior.
Today is June 29, 2023. Today is The Festival of St. Peter and St. Paul, Apostles. And on this festival day, let us pray for postal workers.
Thanks, Tom for this reflection. I have to say that your translation that you use here really brings out the glorious truth that the Greek shows but which most translations ignore.
Your message today has echoed and affirmed a Devotion I had written for a church group concerning Thomas' doubt. My point is Jesus meets us where we are, not with condemnation, but with loving, understanding, forgiveness. I thank the Holy Spirit who guided me in writing that Devotion . Blessings!
May the Lord Jesus lead me where He wants even if that means being rejected by people and being defamed and even killed as He was! Rule in me Lord Jesus I invite others to submit to your rule as well!
Love that…forgiceness, with a new commission.
Typo…forgiveness….
thank you
Thank you for sharing. I really appreciate that you share your discernment and wisdom with us.
Thank you for your encouragement. Your feedback and support are truly appreciated!
Thanks Tom, loving your work!
Thank you for this explanation. You have clarified this particular dialogue for me and deepened my understanding of my faith. Most importantly it makes me not only appreciate Jesus more but love Him more…..
Zane, we do feel miserable when we sin, not because we fear God will leave us or punish us, but because, as new born children we do want to please God from the new heart He gives us.
Our confession of every sin does not determine our relationship with God nor our salvation. Jesus Christ has done everything we needed to be right with God, to belong to Him. He now lives in you and gives you everything you need to live for Him.
We still have an angry enemy who attacks and accuses, but the Holy Spirit helps us and grows us to discern these temptations and overcome them. When we fall, He picks us up and continues to train us in His infinite grace.
I will pray for you to see and bask this amazing truth, Zane.
Love drives out fear.
I really should try to learn New Testament Greek. That different translation of the word "love" by Peter throws a fresh light on the exchange. After what he did that night in the courtyard, Peter probably felt too ashamed and unworthy to use the word "love". Jesus could have hurt him by dragging it out of him but he didn't. He came to where Peter was and brought him home.
Yes, it is a wonderful picture of the Lord's grace and the experience of renewal for Peter.
This one my favorite exchanges between Jesus and anyone. I've always struggled a bit understanding its meaning. Thank you for helping me understand it better 😊
Thank you for such a great reminder that God keeps on mending our connection with him. This is a reminder I needed this morning. Please continue to do amazing work
I've been having a hard time with forgiveness lately. At first, I thought God wanted me to go back and make up for all the wrong I've done, to reach out to everyone I've ever wronged and to make things right. I found that this task was never-ending. And it never left me with a sense of accomplishing God's will. I'm still struggling with this. I confessed to my wife all the wrongs I could remember, just to remember more the next day. Each day I would see more heartbreak in her eyes. I'm struggling with this sense that I'm supposed to confess every single time I slip up, but as I said before, the list is never ending. I feel as if I'm being disobedient to God if I don't do this. However, it feels like a compulsion and a fear that motivates the confessing. I am in a state of anxiety but I trust God will free me from this burden when he sees fit.
Thank you for sharing your reflections and for your vulnerability. You're not alone. Forgiveness can be a struggle in a variety of ways for most of us. One way to think about moving forward could be to envision forgiveness as a way of life (a lifestyle of living amends) and a craft that we learn in community (as Greg Jones talks about in 'Embodying Forgiveness'). As we trust in the promise of 1John 1:9, may we find freedom and grace for the journey.
Wow, thank you for your response to Zane, “envision forgiveness as a way of life, a lifestyle of living amends, a craft that we learn in community.”!
I had always thought that Jesus asked Peter 3 times to let him go back & correct his wrong. But I also saw forgiveness on Jesus's part ... letting him know & FEEL he made amends while giving him a mission. You know we are allowed free will but what ever we do is promised to be forgiven BUT we must face the consequences of those decisions & KNOW zTge Lord is with us in them. ❤❤Thank you Jesus for you sacrifice on our behalf
FOLLOW ME...should be like you are going to a place you don't know, the only person who knows is in front of you, You have to very focus on that person so you won't lose him. There are all kinds of obstacles and distractions. But your eyes should never leave him. This is how we should follow Jesus, our Lord.
Jesus also brought up the Dad point to tell Peter don’t use your heritage to make your decisions.
Trust Jesus.
Thank you for this insight! What is the translation that you read from?
Glad you enjoyed it! The translation is the Kingdom New Testament.
@@NTWrightOnline I just ordered a copy!
@@NTWrightOnlineMany thanks!
Which bible is that you are using? I looked all resources to find that wording where Peter says Yes God I am your friend. Please can you tell me which bible you are using.
Thank you for your question! N.T. Wright is using the New Testament for Everyone (NTFE) translation. www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+21%3A15-19&version=NTFE --NTW Online Team
What translation are you reading from? "I'm your friend" seems kind of light compared to what Jesus wa s actually asking him..
It is from the Kingdom New Testament.