Make Every Effort: Peter's Fervent PleasSample

Day 10: The Joy of Caring for Each Other

As our lives become more and more Christlike—that is, reflecting ever more clearly the character of God Himself—we need to exhibit mutual affection, and we will because it is a natural outgrowth of godliness. We begin to engage with others more and more effectively in the body of Christ, caring about them and loving them.

In Biblical Greek, there are several words translated as love. This “brotherly love” or “mutual affection” is the word phileo. We get our word “Philadelphia” from it which means the city of brotherly love. Jesus used that word the third time He questioned Peter in John 21:17: “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.”

Jesus wanted Peter to know that brotherly love—that of being a faithful, caring friend—would lead to His sheep (followers of Jesus) being well fed. That attitude of care and brotherly love will begin then to spread around our community, impacting everyone we meet.

When Job was having so much trouble, he recognized that Jesus was his friend interceding for him even though he didn’t know Jesus by name: “My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God” (Job 16:20). As Jesus intercedes for us because He loves us, we can lift our friends before Him for all their needs.

David described the beauty of mutual affection in Psalm 133: “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.”

As Hebrews 13:1 says: “keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters.”

Reflection: Jesus said we would be known by our love. When people think of you, what comes to their mind? Are you known for your friendliness, helpfulness, and brotherly love? Would you like to be known that way? God will grow that into you if you make every effort to know Him intimately. So, what can possibly top off mutual affection? Enjoy the next lesson and find out.