"Do you love me more than these?" (John 21:16) I believe this is one of the most important questions ever asked by Jesus. And it was addressed to one of his closest friends, Simon Peter. Jesus didn't ask it of any other disciple. They had just finished breakfast that morning on the shores of Galilee and Peter's stomach was still churning. He was very happy to see Jesus, until He asked this question. "Do you love me, more than these?"
The emphasis on each word has powerful implications. Especially the words love and more. After Jesus resurrection, Peter was probably still trying to forget the shame from having denied Jesus three times. Now he was struggling with how to answer Jesus' questions. After all, Peter had usually been quick to answer Jesus' questions before with bold declarations, including his willingness to die for Him, even if the others were not. Yet there was no bold declaration this time. Just a humble acknowledgment that Jesus was the only one who truly knew how he felt. Peter wouldn't even repeat the same word Jesus had used for love, agape.
Down through the ages, Jesus' question still echos, "Do you love Me?" How do you answer His question? Jesus even adds a comparisons to it. What it was we don't know, probably the other disciples. I don't believe that is the issue, other than it is foolish for us to try to compare our love to someone else's love. Only God knows each individuals heart, motive and intentions. Sometimes our outward actions are a clue, but not always. Yet, the most important issue is still, do you love Me? How do we know if we really love Jesus? What can we compare our love to? And how do we prove our love to Him?
Just like Peter, we all have made our bold statements of love and devotion, only to coward in our actions and words—days if not hours later. (by choosing to satisfy our flesh or yielding to our doubts and fears rather than Jesus' Spirit) Again, we all have failed many, many times. If you haven't you probably need to check your pulse. Peter was no different than any of us. And I don't believe most of us could state our love with any more certainly than Peter. However to prove out love requires us to do something—love require action, ACTION. Without actions there is no proof of love.
Down through the ages, Jesus' question still echos, "Do you love Me?" How do you answer His question? Jesus even adds a comparisons to it. What it was we don't know, probably the other disciples. I don't believe that is the issue, other than it is foolish for us to try to compare our love to someone else's love. Only God knows each individuals heart, motive and intentions. Sometimes our outward actions are a clue, but not always. Yet, the most important issue is still, do you love Me? How do we know if we really love Jesus? What can we compare our love to? And how do we prove our love to Him?
Just like Peter, we all have made our bold statements of love and devotion, only to coward in our actions and words—days if not hours later. (by choosing to satisfy our flesh or yielding to our doubts and fears rather than Jesus' Spirit) Again, we all have failed many, many times. If you haven't you probably need to check your pulse. Peter was no different than any of us. And I don't believe most of us could state our love with any more certainly than Peter. However to prove out love requires us to do something—love require action, ACTION. Without actions there is no proof of love.
We all have to live out our love through faith and obedience to Jesus, by following his Holy Spirit's leading. We need to learn to listen to His voice and obey it, but most important we need to build a relationship with the Father. God referred to David, as a man after His own heart, yet he wasn't perfect or always obedient. Our goal is to love God and walk as Jesus walked (actions). (I John 2:5-6). Perfection is seen in the heart of Jesus, who dwell in all of God's sons. God's sons and daughters are doing what pleases Him, which also includes waiting on Him. That is a form of action that many avoid.
This was not a test or a trick questions for Peter, because we are saved by grace alone and Jesus knew that better than anyone. (I don't believe Jesus was trying to hurt or reprimand Peter in any way either.) Jesus' motives are pure, and were meant for help and encouragement him. And most important, Jesus wanted Peter to move forward. This would be accomplish by planting " seeds," into Peter's mind. The fact that Jesus asked him three different times, was to show his effort to erase any doubts of guilt and shame of past mistakes. And that there is plenty to do for Him and the Kingdom or God, which have nothing to do with building a church building or a congregation as some ministers strive for.
This was not a test or a trick questions for Peter, because we are saved by grace alone and Jesus knew that better than anyone. (I don't believe Jesus was trying to hurt or reprimand Peter in any way either.) Jesus' motives are pure, and were meant for help and encouragement him. And most important, Jesus wanted Peter to move forward. This would be accomplish by planting " seeds," into Peter's mind. The fact that Jesus asked him three different times, was to show his effort to erase any doubts of guilt and shame of past mistakes. And that there is plenty to do for Him and the Kingdom or God, which have nothing to do with building a church building or a congregation as some ministers strive for.
Peter had also been forgiven by Jesus from the same cross, along with the rest of humanity. It also wasn't necessary for Jesus to repeat those three words—"It is finished." But I'm sure He did the next time he saw Peter, who still had some doubts and fears. Peter needed to reassure himself by speaking words of faith of his devotion to Christ. Jesus was giving Peter three simple steps of action to help him do just that.
Often, after making a big blunder, satan tries to keep us down, doing nothing for the Kingdom of God and drowning. Just like Peter sinking in the stormy sea. Here again we may feel like we are sinking emotionally from guilt and fears. Yet, Jesus like a true friend was there to help pull him up and to move forward, with some simple pointers. Jesus had faith in Peter, who was a rock that Jesus saw in His spirit. Peter was also the example God used to illustrate His ability to help us (the church) overcome our failures. Something we will all need, if our desire is there.
We have all made our mistakes, just like Peter's. How we handle those mistakes afterwords is very important. Jesus kindly points out that our love for God, must be directed away from self, guilt, shame or pity—by waiting on Him and serving the Body of Christ. This is the outward expression of our true love put into action.
The first step is "tending" to the lambs— go help and give of your time and money to the ones who are weak, lost and defenseless.
Do You Love Me?
The first step is "tending" to the lambs— go help and give of your time and money to the ones who are weak, lost and defenseless.
Next is to "shepherd" My sheep— to lead people in the direction they should go, feed the Words of Life that will benefit them the most, show them how to avoid dangerous situation, encourage and protect them with the sword of His Word.
And finally to "care" for — when they need healing—pray the prayer of faith; if they need more strength—help share their burden; if they have fallen from grace—forgive and help restore them, just as Jesus did for Peter and each of us.
By following these three steps of action, Jesus enables us to mature in our walk of faith by serving others and abiding in Him. Everything should be done in agape love and his power. Thus the Church and the Bride of Christ will become what the Father has always intended for it to be— His House, His Temple and the Family of God.
