Scripture Union Daily Guide 4 April 2024 (Thursday) Devotional Message
Scripture Union Daily Guide 4 April 2024 TOPIC: Do You Love Me?
OPENING PRAYER: Dear Lord, I pray that you order my steps today through your word as I meditate on it.
SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: John 21:15-25
15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.
18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.”
19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”
20 Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”)
21 When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”
22 Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.”
23 Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”
24 This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.
25 Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
• Q3: Is there any command for me to obey?
• Q7: What truth is God revealing to me in this passage?
DAILY GUIDE FOR TODAY APRIL 4, 2024 MESSAGE
“Do you love me?” Jesus asked Peter this question three times (vs.15-17). This is one of the Lord’s most critical questions that underscores our relationship with Him. (See Luke 10:27 and Revelation 2:4). Some Bible scholars link the three questions to the three times that Peter denied Jesus (Luke 22:54-62)—as if given the opportunity to redeem the effect of his denial. In v.17, Peter told the Jesus, ‘Lord, you know all things’. What does this mean to you?
Also crucial is the Lord’s instruction to Peter about what he must do if he says he loves him:
“Feed my lambs . . . Take care of my sheep . . . Feed my sheep”—for God’s people are the sheep of His pasture (Psalm 100:3). Nurturing members of the congregation into maturity is a core mandate of church leadership.
How does v.18 indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God?
Church historians report that Peter was crucified upside down at his request because he felt unworthy to be crucified like his Lord. Death in the Lord glorifies God (v.19), which dispels the fear of death which the Lord, by His resurrection, conquered for good.
Rumour mongering degenerates into falsehood as demonstrated in vs.20-23. It pollutes truth and damages Christian witness. What does vs.24-25 reveal to you about the author of this book and his writing?
• Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?
CLOSING PRAYER
Lord, I love you! Help me to love you more and help nurture your sheep wherever you place me.
Offer a prayer of faith in line with Deuteronomy 7:15
One Year Bible Reading Plan
Daily Bible Reading Plan: Day 95 – Judges 16-18
NATIONAL PRAYER BULLETIN – Thu Apr 04, 2024
PRAYER FOCUS
NIGERIA – OUR NATION
“God reigneth over the nations. God sitted upon the throne of his holiness”.
Psalm 47:8
THANK GOD FOR:
• His mercy, faithfulness and love over our nation, Nigeria.
• How he has always seen us through countless seasons of challenges as a nation.
PRAY FOR:
• An end to the demonic siege over the nation which includes: economic, religious, political, military, educational, social, etc.
• God to supernaturally intervene to save Nigeria from the hands of the Sennacheribs of our time.
• The fear of God will constrain our leaders to lead aright.
PRAY AGAINST:
• False claim of ownership of the land of Nigeria by any group of people.
READ ALSO: Daily Prayer for 4th April 2024 (Bible Verse And Quote)