Do You Love Jesus?
While we’re all familiar with the song “What a friend we have in Jesus”, it’s worth examining what kind of friend we have been to Jesus. Through our actions and attitudes, have we denied, betrayed or doubted Him? Are we carrying shame or guilt from not having been the friend to Jesus that He has been to us? In this week’s scripture (John 21:15–19), Jesus recognized the burden Peter was carrying after denying Him three times during Jesus’ trial. So Jesus asked Peter three times “Do you love me?”. After Peter affirmed his love all three times, Jesus publicly gave Peter redemption and restoration while reinstating Peter into His service. I pray that regardless of whatever has caused you to fall away from the Lord, you would hear His call for you to come back to Him to be redeemed, restored and reinstated into His service. Amen.
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” (John 21:15-16). Jesus began his public reinstatement of Peter by asking him a simple question. “Do you love me more than these?” (i.e. more than these other disciples). Remember, Peter had told Jesus that he loved Him more (Matt 26:33), yet when Peter was questioned about whether he was one of Jesus disciples, Peter denied Jesus three times (John 18:17, 25-27). Peter’s denial was his shame and the source of his broken relationship with Jesus. So Jesus used this opportunity to publicly restore Peter into His service. A second time, Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him. Again, Peter answered “you know that I love you “. Jesus told Peter to take care of His sheep, (i.e. care completely for their lives and well-being).
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. (John 21:17). Jesus again asked Peter if he loved Him. Peter was hurt that Jesus asked him this question a third time. But there is a symmetry here in Peter having to affirm his love for Jesus three times, because he had previously denied Jesus three times. Once again, Jesus gives Peter the assignment to shepherd those who will follow Him. Jesus is showing Peter that He trusts him, despite his previous denials, with the very important responsibility of caring for His church.
Very truly I tell you, 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.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!” (John 21:18-19). Jesus told Peter that formerly he could do as he pleased, but henceforth, he would be committed to a life in service to the Lord and would follow a path that would also lead him to the cross (“stretch out your hands…. dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.”). Jesus concluded with the same command that He calls all of His disciples to do…. “Follow Me!”
We sometimes look at Peter and shake our heads in disbelief at his denial of Jesus. How could someone who was so sold out for Jesus, come to a point where he denied Him? The reality is that all of us have denied Jesus at some point in our lives. We have gone places and done things and committed acts that would lead others to believe we are not followers of Christ. But the beauty of God’s love and grace is that even in our failures, He calls us to come back to Him in true repentance, and to be restored back into relationship and service to Him. And He does this over and over again. He is not just a God of a second chance, He is the God of another chance. He keeps on offering us grace and mercy because He knows that we mess up often and we need it. Jesus wants you to know that it doesn’t matter that you messed up. He knows that the devil has burdened you with the shame and guilt of your failure to try to make you feel unworthy of Jesus. But like He did with Peter, Jesus is calling you to turn back to Him. And Jesus’ only question is… Do you really love me? If your answer is yes, then Jesus says “Follow Me!” Let Him take away the shame and guilt of your failures and make you fit for His service.
Blessings,
Rev Glenn
It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. ~ Lamentations 3:22-23
