294. JOH 21:17. LOVE TO JESUS

Joh_21:17. Love to Jesus

"Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?"’97Joh_21:17

This appears to have been the first conversation between Christ and Peter after the Saviour’s resurrection. After they had dined, Jesus therefore embraced the opportunity of interrogating Peter as to his love to him. However painful this might be to Peter, yet it gave him an opportunity of again avowing his attachment, after he had so wickedly apostatized from him, and denied him. Jesus therefore addressed him, "Simon, son of Jonas," not Peter,’97for Peter signified Rock, and for the present, at least, he had forfeited all claim to stability,’97"lovest thou me?" Peter humbly, yet sincerely, declared his love, appealing to the Saviour’s own omniscience, and was then reinstated in his office, and charged by the great Shepherd of the flock to feed his lambs, and to feed his sheep. The subject of the text is love to Jesus Let us consider,

I. The Nature of Love to Jesus.

Now love to Jesus implies,

1. A knowledge of Jesus.

We may love an unseen object, but not one which is unknown to us. Love to Jesus must therefore be preceded by at acquaintance with the revelation given of him in the gospel. All true and saving religion must commence with illumination of mind.

2. A believing reception of the truth concerning Jesus.

We must not only know of Christ, but cordially embrace the record given concerning him. Believe in him as loving us and giving himself for us.

3. A hearty affection and esteem for Christ.

Our souls appreciating his excellences. Captivated with his charms. Intensely affected with his love to us. "We love him because he first loved us." His name our joy his presence our delight, his favor our bliss.

It includes,

4. Confidence in Christ.

Love to him must be confidential. The soul rests in its love. Relies implicitly upon him. "This is my beloved, and this is my friend." "Whom have I in heaven," &c. Observe,

II. The Characteristics of Love lo Jesus.

1. It is a divine principle.

Not natural to man to love Christ. Heart in a state of enmity, &c. Not attainable by human influence, as study, education, &c. Love is of God, and from heaven. It is the fruit of the Spirit. "The love of God shed abroad in our hearts," &c.

2. It is a conscious principle.

If we love Jesus, we must be sensible of it’97must know it. It is not a matter of peradventure, of doubt, &c. Our desires, our thoughts, our delights, our lives, will all tend to set us right in this matter. "Whom having not seen ye love," &c. Peter replied, "Yea, Lord," &c.

3. It is an essential principle We may be saved without shining parts, or splendid gifts. We may have many frailties, &c. Even have given way to sudden gusts of temptation, &c. &c. But no man ran be accepted of God, or saved, without love to Jesus. Love to Christ is the essence of true piety. He. that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God. &c.

4. Love to Jesus must be the preeminent principle.

It is not inconsistent with philanthropy, love to species, or patriotism, love to country. Or with conjugal, paternal, or fraternal affection. Nay, these it hallows, and increases. But over all these it must have the ascendency. These must be loved in a subordinate degree. "If any man love father," &c.

5. Love to Jesus must be an abiding,’97a growing principle.

It must be "abounding," be "made perfect," we must be "rooted and grounded in move." "Walk in love." It must strengthen with our strength, and grow with our growth, and mature with our years’97until it is perfected in the regions of love for ever. Consider,

III. The Evidences of Love to Jesus

1. The tongue will express it.

Simon replied, "Yea, Lord," &c. From the fulness of the heart, the mouth speaketh. Love in the heart will force its way’97it must have egress, and the mouth will confess Christ to salvation.

2. The profession will exhibit it.

Love to Christ must both be confessed and professed. If any man love Christ, he will follow Christ. Christ’s church will be his abode’97his ordinances, his delight. The cross his boast. "God forbid," &c.

3. The practice will evince it.

Love to Jesus is an obedient principle. "This is the love of Christ, that we keep his commandments," &c. "If ye love me," &c.

4. Our sacrifices will establish it.

Idols will be renounced. Pride, pleasure, the world, self, &c. Christ’s cross will be borne, &c. Reproach cheerfully endured, &c. "I beseech you, brethren," &c. "I am crucified with Christ," &c.

Let us,

IV. Justify supreme Love to Jesus.

Love to Jesus accords,

1. With the soundest reason.

In him is all that is intellectual, dignified, and beautiful. He is the perfection of excellency, the fountain of goodness. None on earth or in heaven to be compared to him, &c.

2. With principles of gratitude.

We profess to love philanthropists, patriots, friends, benefactors, &c. O think what he left, what he assumed, what be endured and suffered for us.

"When I survey the wondrous cross," &c.

Love to Jesus is founded,

3. On its present advantages.

The Father will love us, and come to us, and make his abode with us. He will manifest himself, &c. "All things will work together for good," &c.

4. On its future results.

Shall I say, divine sympathy in trouble, support in sickness; peace in death; confession and approbation in the day of judgment; and a throne and crown in the kingdom of glory forever.

Application

Learn,

1. The essence of religion is love.

2. Genuine love will be an operative, influential principle.

3. "If any man love no the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be anathema maranatha!"

Autor: JABEZ BURNS