Colossians 4:5

God shows no partiality. History tends to repeat itself.  He wants no one to perish but all come to Him through Jesus.

To God alone, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, belongs all honor and glory.

We are the representatives of Jesus. We love others because He  first loved us.

John 4:17 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

John 3:17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

Colossians 4:5 

Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. The New King James Version

Paul refers to practical and transformational wisdom, not intellectual insight. Those who apply such wisdom can reflect God’s values and character. Faithlife Study Bible

Early Christians were often viewed with suspicion, distrust, and disdain. They were considered atheists because they would not worship the gods of Rome and Greece. Many labeled them as unpatriotic because they would not burn incense before the image of the emperor. Some accused the early Christians of participating in orgies because of their talk of “love feasts”. Others harbored suspicions that Christians were really cannibals, who ate and drank the blood and the body of the Lord. With such misrepresentations of Christian belief and practice running rampant, it was very important for misunderstandings to be dispelled by the virtuous and impeccable lives of Christian believers. The NKJV Study Bible

Believers are exhorted to right conduct towards unbelievers. Be careful in all converse with them, to do them good, and recommend religion by all fit means. Diligence in redeeming time, commends religion to the good opinion of others. Even what is only carelessness may cause a lasting prejudice against the truth. Let all discourse be discreet and seasonable, as becomes Christians. Though it be not always of grace, it must always be with grace. Though our discourse be of that which is common, yet it must be in a Christian manner. Grace is the salt which seasons our discourse, and keeps it from corrupting. It is not enough to answer what is asked, unless we answer aright also.  Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Matthew 10:16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves.Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.

Ephesians 5:15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise,

Ephesians 5:16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Ephesians 5:17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Ezekiel 18:30-32

God is gracious and kind. He wants no one to perish but all to share eternal life with Him. In Jesus and the power of Holy Spirit we can be changed.  Precept by precept He works in our life so that we can reflect the image of His only begotten Son to a dying world.

God has provided the way, our part is to accept salvation and allow Him to change our life!!

The voice of Grace tells us that we are more than our labels.

I love the Gospel story about the Samaritan woman at the well. Long story short, here is a woman who carries a myriad of labels--she is a member of the wrong group, she is "less-than," undesirable, a social outcast (not to mention she'd been married several times). And Jesus offers her everlasting water no questions asked. 

My take on his words to her: "You've lived on scarcity—labels that limit you—and I offer you sufficiency, in water that will never leave you thirsty again.”

I love preaching from this text. Which, of course means, that I’m preaching in order to remind myself to believe it (internalize it). To hear it, for myself. Just sayin’. SabbathMoments 

Ezekiel 18:30-32

30 “Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways,” says the Lord God. “Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin. 31 Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel? 32 For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies,” says the Lord God. “Therefore turn and live!” The New King James Version

In this passage, Ezekiel further clarifies his teaching on individual responsibility for sin by answering certain questions that reflect what his audience might be thinking in response to his previous message. God’s response to their questions through Ezekiel is in part also composed of questions. 

Live and die refer to physical death and not eternal death, since this passage relates to the standards and stipulations of the Mosaic covenant. Everyone is judged equitably and individually. God never enjoys condemning a person, but is just and righteous in dispensing His judgments. The NKJV Study Bible

The Lord will judge each of the Israelites according to his ways. On this is grounded an exhortation to repent, and to make them a new heart and a new spirit. God does not command what cannot be done, but admonishes us to do what is in our power, and to pray for what is not. Ordinances and means are appointed, directions and promises are given, that those who desire this change may seek it from God.  Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Jeremiah 32:39 then I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me forever, for the good of them and their children after them.

Ezekiel 33:20 Yet you say, ‘The way of the LORD is not fair.’ O house of Israel, I will judge every one of you according to his own ways.”

Matthew 3:2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”

Revelation 2:5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.

Mark 2:23-28

The Sabbath was made for man it is meant to be a day of rest. A day to reflect on His goodness and care for you. A day to breathe in His love and release it to others. On the seventh day God rested letting us know that there is a rest for those who place their trust in Him and the salvation provided in Jesus Christ.

May God's life dance within you as you pause for quiet places and prayer in your busy life.  Joyce Rupp  

Micah 6:8. Like many biblical passages, it is simple to understand yet tough to execute: “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.” David French

Mark 2:23-28

23 Now it happened that He went through the grainfields on the Sabbath; and as they went His disciples began to pluck the heads of grain. 24 And the Pharisees said to Him, “Look, why do they do what is not lawful on the Sabbath?” 25 But He said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he was in need and hungry, he and those with him: 26 how he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the showbread, which is not lawful to eat except for the priests, and also gave some to those who were with him?” 

27 And He said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. 28 Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.” The New King James Version

Jews at this time debated about when human need could legitimately override the command to observe the Sabbath, and many people had strict rules regarding the Sabbath, the Jewish day of rest. 

The Pentateuch doesn’t specifically prohibit plucking grain on the Sabbath, though it could be understood as discouraging the gathering and preparation of food on the Sabbath. 

When David was fleeing from King Saul, he persuaded a priest to give him consecrated bread by claiming that he was on his way to a secret meeting with other servants of the king. Because David had need, his action was justified and  the same is true for Jesus’ disciples.

This enigmatic statement likely means that the Sabbath was established in order to give people rest. The Pharisees’ overzealous protection of the Sabbath has lost sight of its purpose and turned it into something burdensome. 

Jesus’ ministry often takes place on the Sabbath. By asserting lordship over the Sabbath, He claims authority over its laws and limitations, and he claims the ability to heal on the Sabbath. Faithlife Study Bible

Ripe grain can be eaten whole and is both tasty and nutritious. Plucking bits of grain from another’s field for sustenance was permitted under Mosaic law. The point to the Pharisees’ accusation against Jesus and His disciples was that they had performed work on the Sabbath, but their charge was dubious. The act of plucking grain should not be confused with Sabbath work condemned in the law. 

This incident is further proof of rising opposition to Jesus’ ministry. Part of Jesus’ defense was to recall the story of David’s eating the showbread from the tabernacle. Since that bread was intended for the priests, it was not lawful for others to eat. Jesus does not declare directly the innocence of either David or His disciples, but instead reminds His critics of the meaning of the Sabbath for humans and His own Lordship over it. The NKJV Study Bible

The sabbath is a sacred and Divine institution; a privilege and benefit, not a task and drudgery. God never designed it to be a burden to us, therefore we must not make it so to ourselves. The sabbath was instituted for the good of mankind, as living in society, having many wants and troubles, preparing for a state of happiness or misery. 

Man was not made for the sabbath, as if his keeping it could be of service to God, nor was he commanded to keep it outward observances to his real hurt. Every observance respecting it, is to be interpreted by the rule of mercy. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

1 Samuel 21:1 Now David came to Nob, to Ahimelech the priest. And Ahimelech was afraid when he met David, and said to him, “Why are you alone, and no one is with you?”

1 Samuel 21:2 So David said to Ahimelech the priest, “The king has ordered me on some business, and said to me, ‘Do not let anyone know anything about the business on which I send you, or what I have commanded you.’ And I have directed my young men to such and such a place.

Matthew 12:8 For the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”

Luke 6:2 And some of the Pharisees said to them, “Why are you doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath?”

Luke 6:5 And He said to them, “The Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.”

Life Church Vineyard

Pastor Mitch Price

After God’s Own Heart

You are all that I need!

There is a common thread in the realization that in confession there is a sense of relief. 

Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and false short of the glory of God

Romans 6:23 for the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus our Lord

Sin comes at a  cost…it took the sacrifice of Jesus  to cover them. We all need a Savior.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

When we confess and repent from our sins we are restored in Jesus.

God knows us perfectly. He knows the good, the bad and the ugly parts of our life and loves us anyway!! He loved us so much that He gave the perfect, spotless life of His only begotten Son to die in our place.

At Life Church we are a family on a mission! 

A place to be needed & known, 

discipled & equipped. 

We want to be a light in this dark world. A place to be needed & known, discipled & equipped.

Lord show me…me. Help me to know myself and to be changed, precept by precept to the image of Christ. 

Psalm 139:23-24

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; 24 And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.

David recognized his sin and repented. 

David sought to know himself and to change.  

God saw David’s heart. 

Psalm 51:1 Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me. 4 Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight— That You may be found just when You speak, And blameless when You judge. 5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me. 6 Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom. 7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Make me hear joy and gladness, That the bones You have broken may rejoice. 9 Hide Your face from my sins, And blot out all my iniquities. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.

Psalm 51:13 Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You. 14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, The God of my salvation, And my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness. 15 O Lord, open my lips, And my mouth shall show forth Your praise.

We must receive the truth of His goodness and grace and release that truth to others. In sharing our walk in faith and what He has brought us through we encourage others. 

We are not able…God is!!

If are ready and willing He is able to accomplish His will in your life.

Ephesians 3: 20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen

We just need to be willing to have Him enable us to be His hands and feet to others.

Feeling love is not the same as showing love.

Hebrews 12: 1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

What is weighing us down? We serve a God who cares. 

There is a reason that Jesus told His disciples to wait for the indwelling of Holy Spirit. He is the power to accomplish in our walk with God what we are not able to do in our own will.  Jesus did not leave us alone.

Christ within is our strength, our hope. He takes the things of  Jesus and teaches us His ways.

We make feelings our false Holy Spirit.

Feelings are wonderful indicators, reminding us to turn to God and let Him direct our desires with His best provisions. But feelings should never be dictators to get our unmet longings and desires met however we see fit.

What happens when the King is absent? There is chaos.

What does all of this mean for us today? We need rescue. We need a king. But we aren't kingless like the people in Judges. We need the righteous ruler who will right all wrongs, direct and protect us, and redeem and restore all things … King Jesus. And we have the assurance of knowing this eternal King.

Oh, friend, let's not be people ruled by our feelings. Let's trust our King. Let's follow Him. Let's live by the Truth of His Word and become people with true strength residing within. First5 

I’ve been gratefully spending the week remembering Frederick Buechner. And rereading some of his writing, much of it for me, “thin places.” So, we’ll give him the final word today. “The grace of God means something like: Here is your life. You might never have been, but you are because the party wouldn't have been complete without you. Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don't be afraid. I am with you. Nothing can ever separate us. It's for you I created the universe. I love you. There's only one catch. Like any other gift, the gift of grace can be yours only if you'll reach out and take it. Maybe being able to reach out and take it is a gift too.” SabbathMoments  

Acts 19:1-7

19 And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples 2 he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?” So they said, “Into John’s baptism.” 4 Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.” 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. The New King James Version

Disciples, while this term usually refers to followers of Jesus, these people were likely originally followers of John the Baptist, since they had received his baptism. Speaking in tongues is likely a reference to an act related to worship, not miraculously speaking in another person’s native language. In Acts, speaking in tongues is related to the Holy Spirit indwelling and empowering believers. Faithlife Study Bible

These men had been baptized into the baptism of John the Baptist, but they had never heard about the Holy Spirit. All they knew was that One mightier than John was to come. They did not know that Jesus the Messiah, the One mightier than John had already come. He had died for their sins, had been raised from the dead, had ascended to the Father, and had already sent the Holy Spirit. 

They needed to hear the rest of the gospel. As soon as this happened, these men could place their faith in Jesus and receive the Holy Spirit. 

Baptism was a ritual used by the Jews as a picture of cleansing and purification. Gentiles who converted to Judaism would go through the rite of purification as their first act of worship. They would dip themselves in water as a sign of being cleansed from their old way of life. Before entering into the temple to worship, Jews would dip themselves in ritual bathing pools to show their desire for purification. 

But the dipping performed by John the Baptist was a call for repentance rather than mere ritual cleansing. His baptism was a call to people to turn to God and to identify with the coming Messiah who would forgive their sins. In the name of the Lord Jesus was a declaration of ownership, an identification with Jesus as Lord and Savior of one’s life. 

By laying on his hands here, Paul was demonstrating his apostolic authority. He was also affirming the unity of the new church in Ephesus with the church in Jerusalem, whose members were also were empowered by the Holy Spirit to speak in foreign languages. This speaking in tongues was a sign to others that they were part of the body of Christ. The NKJV Study Bible

Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Mark 16:17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;

Acts 8:16 For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Acts 8:17 Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

John 5:24–30

God is love. He is gracious, kind and forgiving and His desire is that everyone will have the choice of accepting Jesus as their Lord and King or rejecting this gift that He offers to His creation. 

Our freedom was not, is not free, it cost the life of Jesus, that through Him we could be saved.

We love because He first loved us!

He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” Matthew 26:39

A righteous end never justifies a sinful means.

We're advised in Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

Whatever problem you face, choosing to pause and seek wisdom from God will never be a foolish move.

When our plans don't unfold exactly as we hope, the regret or disappointment should prompt us to pray these words from the psalms: "Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!" (Psalm 139:23-24). As we remain sensitive to conviction or confirmation from the Holy Spirit, He will help us to adjust our course when necessary. First5 

John 5:24–30

24 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. 25 Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, 27 and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. 28 Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice 29 and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. 30 I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me. The New King James Version

The phrase believes in Him who sent Me is unusual. Christ, not the Father, is usually the object of this verb in John. The issue in this passage is the unity of the Father and the Son. 

All who believe in the One who sent Christ will believe in Christ. 

A judgment to decide a person’s eternal destiny is no longer possible for the one who has already been given eternal life. However, all believers will stand before the judgment seat of Christ not for punishment of sin, but to determine inheritance in Messiah’s kingdom. Christ can give life because He Himself possesses life. He not only has a part in giving it, He is the source of it. This is another testimony to Jesus’ deity, because only God has life in Himself. 

Christ not only gives spiritual life now, He will give physical life later. Two separate resurrections, the resurrection of life and the resurrection of condemnation are presented here in the fashion of the Old Testament prophets, who often grouped together events of the future without distinction of time. Jesus was teaching the universality of resurrection, not the timing of it. 

The only “good” anyone can do is to believe on Christ, the One God sent. 

All other good actions flow from that. Anything good that is done without that belief means nothing to God and will result in the resurrection of condemnation. Christ’s judgment is righteous because it is in accordance with God’s divine will. Jesus said, “The Son can do nothing of Himself”; here He says He can do nothing independent of the Father. The NKJV Study Bible

Daniel 7:13 “I was watching in the night visions, and behold, One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him.

John 4:34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.

John 5:19 Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.

John 6:38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.

Matthew 28:12-15

There is nothing new under the sun. Conspiracy theories have always been around  and are meant to deceive. There are consequence to the lies. We need to be as wise as those who perpetrate such things and retain the gentleness that calls for the peace of Christ to prevail.

Nothing is hidden that will not be brought to the light!

We tend to see disaster as bad and serving no good purpose. The meaning of the Hebrew word "disaster" (Judges 20:41) is "evil" or "bad," after all. But even when disaster strikes, God can use it to turn our hearts around. God is in the business of using everything (including disaster) for our good and His glory. (Romans 8:28) Even when we did not cause the disaster, yes, even then, God can use it for good.

He teaches us to be grateful.

He reminds us we cannot take anything for granted.

He humbles us.

He opens our eyes to see what matters most.

When our back is up against the wall because of life's twists and turns, we finally come to the end of ourselves and admit our need of God. And when disaster strikes, God longs to be our comfort. First5 

Matthew 28:12-15

12 When they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, 13 saying, “Tell them, ‘His disciples came at night and stole Him away while we slept.’ 14 And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will appease him and make you secure.” 15 So they took the money and did as they were instructed; and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day. The New King James Version

The chief priests, who were involved in Jewish religious government, bribe the Roman soldiers to spread a false report about Jesus’ disciples stealing His body. Faithlife Study Bible

Although Matthew is brief in his discussion of the resurrection of Christ, he defends it very carefully. The Resurrection was attested by several witnesses, including an angel, various soldiers, and the women at the tomb. The tomb with Jesus’ body in it was sealed, but later the body was not found there. The excuse of the soldiers was illogical. No Roman soldier would admit sleeping on the job, as the punishment for this was death. 

Finally, Jesus Himself appeared to many of His disciples, providing even more witnesses to His resurrection from the dead. Matthew presents the evidence for Jesus’ resurrection with precision because the doctrine is essential to the Christian faith. The Resurrection is a sign that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and the Resurrection validates the Lord’s own prophecies of it. I

In 1 Corinthians 15:12–19, Paul emphasizes the importance of the Resurrection by listing a series of consequences if the doctrine is denied. The NKJV Study Bible

The Church according to Matthew

Evil has no place in the  Church, the Body of Jesus Christ.  Any root of it will be taken out and burned. His house will be a place of glory and true worship. God’s house will be holy, full of grace and peace.

All power has been given to Jesus and He is able to protect His "Body of Believers"  and nothing formed against it can stand!

God is wealthy in love, in hope, and overflowing in wisdom. “No one has ever seen, no ear has heard, no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9). Because God’s promises are unbreakable our hope is unshakable. Max Lucado

The Church according to Matthew

Matthew is the only Gospel writer who speaks directly of the church (16:18; 18:17). He points to the Gentile composition of this church by including several stories of the Gentiles’ faith in Jesus: the wise men, the centurion, and the Canaanite woman. He records Jesus’ prediction that the gospel will be preached to all nations (24:14), and the commission to the disciples to “make disciples of all the nations” (28:19). Jesus’ teaching pointed to the blessings of the kingdom being extended to Gentiles. But one day, Israel will be restored to its place of blessing. The NKJV Study Bible

16:18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

18:17  “Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 

The words I will build My church indicate that the church had not yet been started. Obviously the disciples did not at this point understand the doctrine of the New Testament church with its equality of Jew and Gentile. They simply understood it to be the Lord’s followers.

In saying that the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it Jesus may have been saying simply that death would not vanquish the church. One day, by the power of Christ’s resurrection, the church and all the redeemed will be resurrected. Others suggest that the phrase means that the forces of evil will not be able to conquer the people of God.

The final evidence of the end times will be the universal proclamation of the gospel. The good news is that the final battle of the tribulation known as Armageddon will not result in the destruction of all people. The Lord Jesus Christ will intervene, bringing an end to the destruction and preserving a people for His kingdom.

The Great Commission rests on the authority of Christ. Because He has authority over all, everyone needs to hear His gospel. While it is commonly known as the Great Commission, it should not be thought of as the first call for world evangelism for God commanded that Abraham and his descendants should be a blessing to all nations. 

Making disciples involves three steps: going, baptizing, and teaching. It was assumed that when a person trusted in the Lord Jesus, he or she would be baptized. The word name is singular, although it is the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit together. This verse is another indication that God is one in three Persons. 

I am with you always demonstrates that Jesus is the true Immanuel, “God with us”  The NKJV Study Bible

There is a wordplay here, as the name Peter is associated with the word for “rock” in both Greek (the language of the new testament text) and Aramaic (the language spoken by Jesus and the disciples). Interpretation of Jesus’ meaning hinges on how the wordplay is understood. In Greek, the name petros (“Peter”) derives from the noun petra (meaning “rock”). In Aramaic, the word kepha is used for both “Peter” and “rock.” The most common interpretations propose that Jesus’ remark about “this rock” refers either to Peter himself or to Peter’s confession of faith in Matthew 16:16. Both options reflect Jesus’ choice of Peter for leadership among His followers. 

Jesus seems to be saying that through His power, the Church will overcome the powers of evil and death itself. 

The disciples’ task was to reproduce themselves by going, baptizing, and teaching.  Faithlife Study Bible

Ephesians 2:20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone,

Revelation 21:14 Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

John 21:15-17

Our life and our death is in His hands to the glory of God!

Restitution requires commitment. In serving others we are serving Him and fulfilling His command to love and care for them. He is always willing to forgive and restore us. We must make the step of accepting His agape love and forgiveness. Only then can we become His hands and feet in this decaying world. Love fulfilled the law.

1 Peter 5:2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly;

Without God’s love as the nucleus of our actions we are just making noise.

John 21:15-17

15 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.” 16 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.” 17 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. The New King James Version

The Restoration of Peter. 

John is the only Gospel writer who records the account of Jesus restoring Peter to His ministry after Peter’s three denials. Only a short time before this dramatic encounter with the risen Lord, Peter had boldly announced that he would give his life for Jesus. Jesus responded by informing Peter that he would actually deny Him three times that same night. Later that evening, Jesus was arrested. While He stood trial before the chief priest, Peter hid outside in the courtyard. Three times Peter was recognized as one of Jesus’ followers; three times he denied knowing Jesus, thus fulfilling Jesus’ words. 

Luke tells us that when Peter realized what he had done, he “wept bitterly.” Imagine, then, Peter’s emotions during his encounter with the resurrected Savior by the Sea of Tiberias. On the one hand, he was no doubt overjoyed to see the risen Lord. On the other hand, he may still have been ashamed and embarrassed about his desertion of Jesus in the hour of His greatest need. 

Three times the Lord asked Peter if Peter loved Him. The first two times, Christ used the word agapaō, signifying a love of commitment, a love of the will. Peter responded with the word phileō, indicating his strong emotion for the Lord. The word suggests warmth, fondness, and friendship. When Peter acknowledged that he loved Christ, the Lord gave him the task of feeding His lambs and taking care of His sheep. Expressing love for Christ implies accepting a duty to do the work of God and to be faithful. Peter had some difficulty with such faithfulness during Christ’s earthly ministry. As Christ was getting ready to depart, He wanted to elicit a commitment from Peter. The third time Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him He used the word phileō, indicating strong friendship. Christ had taught that a friend who loves will lay down his life for a friend. Peter, instead, had denied Christ three times. With Peter’s final response, “You know that I love You,” Christ had drawn a commitment from Peter and assured the other disciples of the bond between Himself and Peter. In the process, He demonstrated His complete forgiveness of Peter. With this exchange, the Lord restored Peter to a position of leadership in the ongoing ministry of the gospel. The NKJV Study Bible.

The passage could be understood as Jesus passing on the mantle of leadership to Peter, who will now act as an earthly shepherd for Christ’s flock. Peter responds by using the word phileō; he seems to be responding with a quick affirmation, choosing a synonym for agapaō. Rather than responding with the word Peter used (phileō), Jesus again uses agapaō. He repeats the first part of His question verbatim, but leaves off the “more than these” part. In doing so, He is emphasizing the part that He wants Peter to remember and understand.

Jesus doesn’t use a different word than Peter because agapaō has a special meaning; rather, He wants to emphasize the extent to which Peter must love Him in order for him to follow through on God’s plan for his life. 

Peter must love Jesus as Jesus has loved him: He must be willing to die for God’s mission of bringing salvation to the entire world. Also, he must be willing to die for others. Peter does not understand the purpose of Jesus’ repetition and responds as before, using phileō and emphasizing that Jesus already knows the answer. 

Jesus instructs Peter to guide His people. Peter is the leader from the time that the Spirit comes upon them in His fullness (Acts 2). Based on Peter’s easy transition into leadership in Acts, it seems that the other disciples understood that it was his job to lead the beginning of the Church—likely because of this conversation. Peter seems to understand that Jesus’ three questions parallel his three denials. He is grieved by being forced to remember his failing in front of the one whom he had denied. Peter affirms what he and the other disciples had articulated after Jesus explained God’s plans for salvation to them.

Jesus’ central command was to follow Him since the beginning of His ministry. It is the essence of His other command about eternal life coming through Him and His subsequent commands to love others. Faithlife Study Bible

More than these means more than the other disciples. On two different occasions Peter had claimed extraordinary love for Christ, even comparing himself to other men. 

Tend means to shepherd. Lambs need to be fed; sheep need to be guided. Peter would need to care for diverse people in different ways, as Christ had done with His disciples.

Peter denied the Lord at least three times. Here he affirmed his love for the Lord for the third time.  The NKJV Study Bible

Matthew 2:6 ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not the least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you shall come a Ruler who will shepherd My people Israel.’ ”

John 16:30 Now we are sure that You know all things, and have no need that anyone should question You. By this we believe that You came forth from God.”

Acts 20:28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.