We Wisemans had an adventure this weekend. A friend of mine mentioned early in the summer that she planned to ride her bike to a neighboring town for their Community Days, and she asked if I'd like to try it. I agreed, and soon my teenager expressed interest in going. So did my husband, and that meant my son was in, too. So Saturday morning, we packed the 4-year-old in the seat on my bike, packed the supplies on Jon's bike, and off we went.

We logged three and a half hours of riding, 24.1 miles total. (Of course, there was a pancake breakfast, a parade, and some pulled pork in the middle of that ride.) God blessed us with a 15 degree break in the afternoon temperatures, and a good time. I teased my friend that it was hard riding with her, because she never huffed, never seemed to be pedaling hard, never even sweated. She was patient and easy-going, a perfect 'trail boss' for us newbies.

As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. Proverbs 27:17 NLT

I'm so thankful that God gives us friends who love us, listen to us, but also challenge us. My friends constantly challenge me to step out into new territory. They stand by and encourage me when I'm ready to quit. They remind of the things I tend to forget when I'm frustrated. They don't think less of me in those moments when I'm falling well short of Christ's example.

Jesus calls us friends in John 15:13-15, and He certainly challenges me, stands by me, encourages me, reminds me when I forget, and loves me even in failure. But to help me grasp the reality of that, He brought people into my life who would model all these things. And He allows me the privilege of a relationship with them in which we can help each other out.

We need mentors who walk before us, and we should always have disciples following our footsteps, but what a great gift to have friends to walk beside us. I love all of you.

If I will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? John 21:22

After Peter received a prophecy from Christ about where his path of following Christ would take him. Jesus plainly told Peter martyrdom awaited him. Out of curiosity, Peter asked about his buddy, John. What's gonna happen to him? Jesus answers the question with a question- what is that to you? Then Jesus says, "You follow me."

It's easy to look around at other believers and measure our life, our effectiveness against what we see. However, that's the wrong scale. Our call is individual and our purpose is ordained by God and uniquely suited to us. No matter what's going on around us, we need to stick to our mission.

So when others have great ministry success, receive recognition, have tremendous fruit to show for their efforts… Don't give in to discouragement. Keep focused on Jesus.

When others fail spectacularly, and bring reproach on the name of Christ… Don't be distracted. Keep focused on Jesus.

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Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these? John 21:15

This question, repeated 3 times, marks a critical moment in Peter's relationship with Jesus. Ashamed at his denial, tentative about taking on the ministry Jesus had for him, afraid of failing again, the last thing Peter wanted to do was answer this question in front of the other guys.

There are volumes of commentary on this exchange. Most agree that Peter's 3 denials warranted 3 public affirmations. There are several good insights as to what the "these" are that Christ refers to each time. However, without hearing the inflection in His voice or seeing His body language, we can't know for certain.

Context gives us a couple of possibilities, though.

Do you love Me more than the comfort of your routine?
Simon Peter had just spent the night fishing. Jesus instructed the disciples to go ahead to Galilee and He'd meet them there. With no sign of Jesus and not sure what to do next, Peter and the others fell back to what was safe and familiar.
Do I love Jesus enough to follow Him into situations that are stressful, or nerve-wracking? Am I willing to walk away from my perceived comfort zone?

Do You love Me more than these guys?
Peter had said, in no uncertain terms, that even if everyone else abandoned Jesus, he never would. Well, he did. Jesus allowed Peter to humiliate himself in front of his most intimate friends.
Do I love Jesus enough to respond in humility when He puts me through a fire or two? Even if my close friends see me fall?

Do you love Me?
Jesus always had a job for Peter, a ministry, a calling, a purpose. Peter's failure never forfeited that. In this moment, in this simple question, Jesus assured Peter, "I still want you. I still have a place for you. But I won't lie. It will be hard. It will stretch you beyond what you think you are capable of. Are you in?"

Lord, You know I love You.

Children, do you have any food? John 21:5

After Jesus' resurrection, after seeing the risen Christ, a group of the disciples headed back to Galilee. Unsure what else to do, they went with the familiar, fishing. After a night's labor, their nets were empty. To make things worse, the question from the man on shore drew attention to their failure.

Empty Nets – Why did they fail and why does it matter?
1. You can't go back again – These guys were chosen, set apart by Jesus Christ for a specific kingdom work. Once they accepted that call to be 'fishers of men', their lives would never be the same. Of course, this didn't mean they'd never catch another fish again, but that way of life was history.

2. You can't operate by your own agenda anymore – Jesus's mission would come first. He set the priorities, and they were to follow them.

3. Your resources are limited at best – Depending on your own skill, your own experience or judgment will ultimately fail.

Jesus' question, kind of a 'how's that fishing thing working for you?' gave His disciples a chance to think. Do you want to feel that frustration? Do you want to labor at something-even if it's worthwhile- only to have nothing to show for it?

Bursting Nets – Why did they succeed and why does it matter?
Jesus told them to cast on the other side of the boat and they couldn't haul the fish in, there were so many. The results were always in His hands, independent of their efforts.

Jesus operates under a new set of rules, remember?
Jesus did a miracle similar to this after He called the disciples. That time, He proved His omniscience and His divinity. This time, He reminded them they were much more than fishermen. They were wasting their call goofing around with fish. If Jesus could fill their nets, how much more could He do through them?

What about your net?
What has Jesus called you to? Are you working at it? Or are you working at something close, but a little more familiar, a little more comfortable? What so you have to show for it?

Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking? John 20:15

The risen, but yet unrecognized Jesus Christ asked this question to Mary Magdalene. Now she'd just answered this question for a couple of angels. She told them it was because the body of Jesus was gone. She answers Jesus with a request to tell her where the body was. Mary grieved because her brain was locked on the limits of her own experience. Jesus' questions invited her to rethink things.

Why are you weeping?
Jesus had died, a brutal torturous death, and Mary had stayed until that last dreadful moment. She worshipped Him and after two days of 'this CAN'T be happening', there was no body. There was no place of reflection, no tangible memorial to go to for comfort.

But there was.

Whom are you seeking?
Mary was searching for a dead Jesus. She never expected to find a risen Christ. In her grief, she limited God's abilities, and discounted His promises. She assumed this Savior was just like her, only better, more righteous and godly.

But He wasn't.

Mary wept because she missed the truth about who Jesus IS. Not just a man, righteous enough to call himself the Son of God, but GOD HIMSELF, utterly different from us, unbound by the constraints of time, space or even physical life.

Do we grieve because we don't grasp who Jesus is? Are we seeking a dead rabbi or a risen Lord? It makes a difference.