Do you love me more than these?

John 20:19-22 Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, "Peace be with you." When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. So Jesus said to them again, "Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you." And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit.

It is evening of the day of Resurrection (the first day of the week)
"Peace be with you" - His sacrifice has made Peace between man and God.
He demonstrates who He is
The disciples recognize Him and rejoice
"Receive the Holy Spirit" - This is the first instance of someone being born again

John 21:3-6 Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing. But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No. And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.

After 8-10 days Peter decides to go back to his old profession
The others follow him back into the 'practical' ways of the world
Their efforts, all night long, produce nothing
In the morning Jesus stands on the shore with provision for breakfast
Cast the net on the right side… [1188. dexios, dex-ee-os'; from G1209; the right side or (fem.) hand (as that which usually takes):--right (hand, side).]
When they obey they cannot contain the blessing

John 21:7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea.

The disciple who knows Jesus most intimately is the first to recognize Him
Peter 'hears' that it is the Lord and rushes to Him

John 21:9-12 As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught. Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken. Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.

Jesus has food prepared and waiting
'Bring the fish which you have now caught'.
Peter drags the net ashore, overstuffed and unbroken
'Come and dine' They all know it is the Lord.

John 21:14 This is now the third time that Jesus showed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.

Three times they have seen Him

John 21:15-17 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Feed My lambs." He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" He said to 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 Jonah, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep.

'Simon, son of Jonah' is Peter's worldly name and title
'more than these?' - The provision of the world (the fish) and the friends who support
Three times - spirit, soul and body must agree to serve the Lord
Peter was grieved…'You know all things, You know that I love you'
Feed My lambs and tend and feed My sheep…

After we come to Jesus in faith there remains the receiving of His provision and blessing. It is always God's will to bless His children. Now we must choose between the blessing of provision and the One Who gives the Blessing.

When our hearts are true, we will choose the One Who is the blessing!

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