We are the answer of Jesus’ prayer for Peter.
Suffereing for reason.
We suffered for reason, to show that we have hope in life.
There are always pressures, unfair times in life. People show madness, tears, complains in response to these moments. Rarely do we show obedience to those times. It’s kind of a mind-blowing idea to show obedience during tough times. But if we put our insight on toward the kingdom of God, everything seems to make sense.
Suffering becomes a chance. Through our obedience, we show people that we choose that for reason. Cause once there was a God, who suffered at the very first for everyone, for love. Today we choose to suffer, to show the living hope we have in life, and we hope you, to share the living hope with us.
We suffer for reason. We are testimonies.
Be the example to the flock.
Since I know that I’m going to start my internship right after GSP, I’ve been praying for a simple question. “If there is only one semester/half year for me, what can / should I do to leave something for my students?”
“Not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.” (1 Peter 5:3)
The verse stands out to me. It was simple and precise, and it explained several things in one verse.
First, never regulate students only on regulations. Well, technically there were no flaws to regulate students according to school regulations. But if a teacher only relies on regulations, there won’t be any chance for life on life influence in students life. Students don’t see examples, only regulations. Never do they see the reason to follow the rules except for the fact that they are rules.
Second, we never know what students are going to learn from us. Students are watching. Teacher’s words, actions, attitudes. They are watching everything. We should always be really careful since the teaching is “be the example of the flock”, which means the flocks are always watching and learning, and we have no idea what they actually learn from us.
Last, actions speak louder than words. Want the students to learn love one another? Show them. Love them before they love you. Want the students to learn to stay humble? Show them. Stay humble in front of everyone in school, no matter who they are. Want them to learn gratitude? Show them. Always be grateful to whatever comes to us.
We are the anwer of the prayer.
We are the answer to an old but powerful prayer.
The last night of our bible study, I shared the following verse.
“…But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22:32)
It’s the prayer of Jesus when he predicted that Peter will deny three times that he knew Jesus.
What really appeals me is that Jesus never prays for Peter’s betray, something like “ May Peter admits he knew me in public”. Instead, He prays for Peter’s faith, that after he betrays, when he turned back, he will strengthen his brothers. Ane we have 1&2 Peter. Over the past 2000 years, numerous people reminded, encouraged, taught, changed by the two letters.
Including you and me, my dear brothers and sisters. Do you find that? We are the answer to Jesus prayer for Peter. During our time reading 1 Peter, we’re all encouraged by the heart of suffering, the insight on eternal life, and the strong faith in Christ. Tracking back to a 2000 years old prayer, dear readers, — we’re all part of the answer Jesus prayer.
