John 21:1–25

November 15, 2012

My Savior's Love

I stand amazed in the presence

Of Jesus the Nazarene,

And wonder how He could love me,

A sinner, condemned, unclean.

   Oh, how marvelous!  Oh, how wonderful!

   And my song shall ever be:

   Oh, how marvelous!  Oh, how wonderful!

   Is my Savior's love for me!

For me it was in the garden

He prayed: "Now my will, but Thine."

He had no tears for His own griefs,

But sweat drops of blood for mine.

In pity angels beheld Him,

And came from the world of light

To comfort Him in the sorrows

He bore for my soul that night.

He took my sins and my sorrows,

He made them his very own;

He bore the burden to Calv'ry,

And suffered and died alone.

When with the ransomed in glory

His face I at last shall see,

'Twill be my joy through the ages

To sing of His love for me.

(Listen to it here.)

I've just been astounded how many songs have been entering my consciousness. Then when I google the words I am even more amazed by how they relate to what I am reading.

Jesus shows Himself to the followers again, this time at the Sea of Tiberias (Lake Galilee). Scofield, in Jane's (Her Name Was Jane) KJV breaks this chapter down like this:

Service in self-will, under human leadership  

When Peter decides to go fishing, ("I am going...") and when the others decided to go as well, ("we will go...") they caught nothing.

Service in self-will tested: the barren result  

In their own efforts they came up empty.  He asked them if they had caught anything and the answer was—No!

Christ-directed service, and the result  

Jesus tells them to put the net on the other side of the boat... that there is where they will find the fish. They obeyed and did what Jesus said and they caught so much fish that they couldn't pull the net back into the boat.

The Master enough for the need of his servants  

Jesus was on the shore cooking fish and bread over a fire of coal while his followers were out fishing. When his followers came ashore he said, "Come and eat." And then took the bread and fish HE was preparing and served them. Jesus is ALL we need.

The only acceptable motive for service  

Jesus asks Peter, "Do you love me?" Do you love me more than anything else? If the answer is "yes" then: 1) feed my sheep; 2) take care of my lambs.

No matter what—FOLLOW ME!  Then—THEN go out and produce "fruit that lasts" for ME.


Addendum:  2/29/16 ~ Last night two more songs were playing in my mind. The songs from when I was originally writing in 2012 and the songs now in 2016 have almost all been old hymns that I haven't heard or sung in years. I love how the Holy Spirit ministers to us in ways that we could not orchestrate. The songs have all been about HIM and HIS amazing love. Quite appropriate since I have been living in the Gospels for months now. I'm sad to see the Gospels end, but I am also excited about moving forward and the sending out of His followers.

Last nights songs:

All the Way My Savior Leads Me

All the way my Savior leads me,

What have I to ask beside?

Can I doubt His tender mercy,

Who through life has been my Guide?

Heav'nly peace, divinest comfort,

Here by faith in Him to dwell!

For I know, whate'er befall me,

Jesus doeth all things well;

For I know, whate'er befall me,

Jesus doeth all things well.

All the way my Savior leads me,

Cheers each winding path I tread,

Gives me grace for every trial,

Feeds me with the living Bread.

Though my weary steps may falter,

And my soul athirst may be,

Gushing from the Rock before me,

Lo! A spring of joy I see.

Gushing from the Rock before me,

Lo! A spring of joy I see. 

All the way my Savior leads me,

Oh, the fullness of His love!

Perfect rest to me is promised

In my Father's house above.

When my spirit, clothed immortal,

Wings it flight to realms of day

This my song through endless ages:

Jesus led me all the way;

This my song through endless ages:

Jesus led me all the way.

Listen to it here.

I Am So Glad That Our Father in Heaven

I am so glad that our Father in Heav'n
Tells of His love in the Book He has giv'n;
Wonderful things in the Bible I see,
This is the dearest, that Jesus loves me.

   I am so glad that Jesus loves me,
   Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me;
   I am so glad that Jesus love me,
   Jesus loves even men.

If I forget Him and wander away,
Still He doth love me wherever I stray;
Back to His dear loving arms would I flee,
When I remember that Jesus loves me.

Oh, if there's only one song I can sing,
When in His beauty I see the great King,
This shall my song through eternity be,
"Oh, what a wonder that Jesus loves me!"

Jesus loves me, and I know I love Him;
Love brought Him down my poor soul to redeem;
Yes, it was love made Him die on the tree;
Oh, I am certain that Jesus loves me!

If one should ask of me, how can I tell?
Glory to Jesus, I know very well!
God's Holy Spirit with mine doth agree,
Constantly witnessing Jesus loves me.

In this assurance I find sweetest rest,
Trusting in Jesus, I know I am blest;
Satan, dismayed, from my soul now doth flee,
When I just tell him that Jesus loves me.


Next Entry: The New Beginning: We Are Being Prepared to Be Sent Out!