Rock My Relational World #5: The Bull’s-Eye

Steven Lake Posted on Posted in Life Well-Lived

“When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you truly love Me more than these?’  ‘Yes, Lord,’ he said, ‘You know that I love You.’  Jesus said, ‘Feed My sheep.’” John 21:15

 

Context:  Peter decided to go fishing, and the 6 other apostles went too.  They fished all night without success.  In the morning Jesus called to them from the beach and told them to cast their net on the other side.  They did so, and the catch was so large they couldn’t haul it in.  When John recognized Jesus, Peter dove in and swam to Him.  After eating a meal prepared by Jesus, the Lord reinstated Peter with 3 questions confirming Peter’s love.

 

Content:  There were 500 people in Jesus’ very outer circle, and 70 of them moved to His outer circle.  He chose 12 men to be His inner circle, and 3 of them were chosen as His very inner circle.  Now Jesus selected one apostle to lead His church.  What qualities did Jesus see in Peter that moved him from the very inner circle to the center of the circle?

 

Relational Peter liked people and they liked him.1
Decisive Peter made decisions, and acted on them without hesitation.2
Leader People followed Peter; he was the leader of the Twelve.3
Persistent Peter didn’t give up easily; in this scene he fished all night.4
Teachable Peter learned from his mistakes (see Luke 5:4-7).5
Spontaneous Peter was alive, vibrant and exuberant.6
Strong He dragged in the catch alone; he was strong in every way.7
Love for God Three times Peter admitted that he loved the Lord.8
Willing to die Peter died by being crucified upside down.9

 

Conclusion:  Who should I pour myself into so that my ministry continues when I’m gone?  The qualities listed above fall into 5 broad categories:

  • Love for God
  • Love for people
  • Total commitment to Christ
  • Godly character
  • Leadership abilities

 

Prayer:

“Lord, give me eyes to see as You see, and lead me to my bull’s-eye. Amen.”

 

1 John 21:2a 6 John 21:7
2 John 21:3a 7 John 21:11
3 John 21:3b 8 John 21:15
4 John 21:3c 9 John 21:18
5 John 21:6  

 

© 2013 Steven A. Lake

 

 

About

Dr. Steve Lake is a retired educator with over 30 years experience in the American public schools. He has served in a variety of position, including teacher, elementary school principal, junior high principal, Associate Superintendent, retired from public education as Superintendent of Schools in Lincolnwood, IL. He has his Bachelors, Masters and Doctor of Education degrees from Northern Illinois University. For the past 25 years Steve has attended and been a member of Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington and Northfield, IL. At Willow Creek Steve has taught adult classes on spiritual gifts, life purpose, and spiritual disciplines. He has ministered overseas in Angola, Zambia, Honduras, Germany, and Russia. Steve is co-founder of Designed to Serve, a ministry that equips Christians to live out their unique God-given calling. Steve is married and has two adult children who are married.