Post by Josh on Feb 5, 2007 18:24:13 GMT -8
11/05:
I was reading in John 21 and I saw something that seems to indicate something about penance (our recent topic of discussion):
15 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 lambs.”
16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly 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 I tell you the truth, 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.”
Perhaps Peter went through a form of penance thru Jesus' questioning process here. He had sinned in denial 3 times, now he undoes the guilty effects of that through 3 affirmations. But it also seems that Jesus might be saying that part of his 'penance' is that he will suffer the ultimate test of loyalty: martyrdom.
The same thing happens with Paul. He had killed Christians, and one of the first things Jesus makes clear to him upon his conversion (through Ananias) is:
Acts 9:15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”
Is Paul's suffering a kind of penance as well?
I know I might be pushing this a bit, but what do you think?
I was reading in John 21 and I saw something that seems to indicate something about penance (our recent topic of discussion):
15 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 lambs.”
16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly 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 I tell you the truth, 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.”
Perhaps Peter went through a form of penance thru Jesus' questioning process here. He had sinned in denial 3 times, now he undoes the guilty effects of that through 3 affirmations. But it also seems that Jesus might be saying that part of his 'penance' is that he will suffer the ultimate test of loyalty: martyrdom.
The same thing happens with Paul. He had killed Christians, and one of the first things Jesus makes clear to him upon his conversion (through Ananias) is:
Acts 9:15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”
Is Paul's suffering a kind of penance as well?
I know I might be pushing this a bit, but what do you think?