Do You Love Me?

October 27, 2014

Do You Love Me?

A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

John 21:17a

The exchange between Jesus and Peter in John 21 is so very compelling. Throughout the conversation, Jesus refers to Peter by his formal name, Simon son of John, even though Jesus had changed his name to Peter. (See Matthew 16)  Interestingly, the Gospel writer refers to Peter throughout this conversation, even though Jesus consistently called him Simon son of John. Jesus’ formality with Peter may have had to do with Jesus using this conversation to redeem Peter from his failure in denying he even knew Jesus. Or perhaps Jesus was so formal because he was formulating the most critical question Peter, or any follower of Jesus, will ever face:  “Do you love me?”

I have three thoughts to keep in mind as we consider our own response to Jesus. First, Peter was uncompromisingly honest with Jesus. When Jesus said love, he used the word agape, which is the same word for love used in John 3:16 and when Jesus gave us the Greatest Commandment (Matthew 22:38). In Peter’s response he used the word, philo, which is saying, “Yes Lord, I really like you a lot.” As we consider our response to Jesus’ question, let us be as honest as Peter, and remember that “God loves us unconditionally, just as we are; not as we should be. Because no one is as they should be.” (All is Grace by Brennan Manning)

Secondly, after each of Peter’s responses to Jesus’ three questions, Jesus gave Peter an assignment: “Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep” (John 21:17c). God accepts us just where we are: “He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle” (Matthew 12:20). Jesus has work for us to do, just where we are, as we become co-laborers with him, building for the Kingdom of God.

Lastly, the words of Mordecai’s rhetorical question to Queen Esther are relevant to every Christian today: “Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14b). God has redeemed you, and calls you His own, for just such a time as this! Your family and your neighbors, your co-workers, as well as all the people throughout your environment, are depending on you to respond to Jesus’ question: “Do you love me?” As you respond, “Yes Lord, I ______ you,” listen for the Lord to reply,

“Accept each moment as it comes to you, with faith and trust that all that happens has my mark on it. So seek me not in far-off places. I am close at hand. Your workbench, office, kitchen, these are altars where you offer love. And I am with you there. Go now!  Take up your cross and with your life complete your way.”

(Adapted from, Everyman’s Way to the Cross)

Sē’lah

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com. The BLOG is also available on Amazon Kindle, by subscription.

Publications by Alex M. Knight:

·        Seeking the Life in Christ, Meditations on the New Testament and Psalms has been published and is now available at Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle.

·        The second edition of  First Think – Then Pray is available on Amazon Kindle.

·        Meditations on The Story of My Life as told by Jesus Christ has been released as an e-book on Amazon Kindle.

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.