December 28, 2015 - During the days of His resurrection Jesus and Peter had a conversation. “So when they had broken their fast, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16 He saith to him again a second time, Simon, son of John, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Tend my sheep. 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of John, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep” (Jn. 21:15-17).
As Jesus and Peter stood on the beach Peter was forced to look deep inside of himself as to his love for Jesus. Not too long prior to this conversation Peter had said he would never desert Jesus, even to the point of death. Remember when he said, “But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I. ...31 But he spake exceedingly vehemently, If I must die with thee, I will not deny thee. And in like manner also said they all” (Mk. 14:29,31).
As Jesus asked this question the other disciples were around and those fish that they had just miraculously caught (Jn. 21:3-11). So Peter was being asked did he love Jesus more than the other disciples, but also the things of this life. Was fishing and friendships more important to him than Jesus. The same goes for us. We must ask ourselves each day, do I love this or that or them more than Jesus?
A simple answer to this question is this; does this, that or them take my time, devotion or service away from Jesus? Or is there anything or anyone that I would rather have than Jesus? Just like Peter a superficial answer will not suffice, that is why Jesus asked him three times.
Going to church does not answer the question. Putting something in the plate does not answer the question. Just like Peter was told, it comes down to service, “feed” and “tend”. Peter's love was going to be seen by his service to the Lord and I believe it would be so with us.
Jesus said, “He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me” (Matt. 10:37). A powerful and strong statement by the Lord. A superficial service or commitment will not do for the Lord.
Abraham proved to be the picture of the love that Peter was asked about. When he was told to cast out Hagar and Ishmael his love for the Lord was on the line. So he rose early and obeyed the Lord by casting out his wife and son. (Gen. 21:14).
Abraham loved the Lord “more than these”. And only each individual can answer this question. But our answer may not be what the Lord knows, so our answer must be an honest one.
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