This week’s devotions are based on Revealed Week 5 – Calling Revealed (WATCH HERE)
Do you love me more than these?
This penetrating question causes one to pause and consider the value of someone or something in your life.
Siblings may pose the question to their parents and ask, “Do you love me more than my sister?” They are trying to determine their “rank” in the hearts of their parents.
Sometimes this question is posed when something happens that maybe leads a person to think that they aren’t loved as much and so are trying to reaffirm their standing in the heart of another. If a wife is wondering about her husbands love, she may ask, “Do you love me more than your golfing buddies?” because she may be hurt that her husband went golfing and forgot her birthday. (Bad move, by the way!)
Jesus asks Peter this question, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
Was Jesus insecure about needing to be loved by Peter? No.
Was Jesus looking for affirmation that he was more loved than the rest of the disciples? No.
Jesus was giving Peter’s heart a chance to respond, knowing that just a few weeks earlier he had vehemently denied Jesus. Was his heart reoriented toward Jesus, or was it still in question. The question was asked three times. The third time hurt.
But Jesus wasn’t out to hurt Peter, but rather reaffirm his love for and his confidence in him. Jesus had a large task to commission Peter to do, but he first wanted to give Peter a chance to reaffirm his love for him.
John 21:15 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.”
16 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.”
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 call to Peter and to us is to love him above all else. The loyalty of our heart is primary before any act of service can be performed.
But it’s hard.
We want to answer clearly, “Lord, you know that I love you.”
But then we think of the ways the Lord wouldn’t know we love him.
In a moment of frustration, we take the Lord’s name in vain. In a moment of laziness, we stay away from worship. In a moment of self-pity, we doubt the Lord’s ability to help. In a moment of pride, we try to figure out a life problem on our own. In a moment of fear, we back down from a bold witness for the Lord.
Of course it is a legitimate question for Jesus to ask, “Do you love me more than these?” Our hearts are easily distracted and our actions easily drift.
Loving the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind and strength is difficult to do. Things in life compete for that pole position. Money tempts us, “Do you love me more than Jesus?” Relationships tempt us, “Do you love me more than Jesus?” Career tempts us, “Do you love me more than Jesus?”
We’d love to say, “Never!” But we need Jesus’ forgiveness to our hearts that must admit, “We don’t always love you, Jesus more than these.”
And so he does. As we confess our sins, Jesus forgives them.
His love for us never changes. So we can always say with confidence, “Lord, you know that I love you.”
Apply: What things/people in life are distracting you from loving Christ first and fully? Ask the Lord for wisdom to identify such things and with his help, keep love for the Lord always first.
Prayer: Lord thank you for loving me. Help me to always love you more than anyone or anything else. AMEN.