DO YOU LOVE ME?

JOHN 21:15–17

“Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?”

(John 21:17).

If we want to know whether we are truly disciples of Christ, we must answer the question: “Do we love Him?” This was the question Christ posed to Peter after his repeated denials. Jesus did not ask if Peter admired Him, or honored Him, but if he “loved” Him. And the term used for love here denotes a love of the highest sort. Did Peter, who had been ashamed of his Master at the time of His suffering, really love Him? Peter had repented of his sin. He had wept bitterly and had returned to his Lord, fervently and zealously. But did he love Him? This is crucial because if he did not love Jesus, he could not follow Him, or shepherd His flock.

So the question is posed: “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Notice that Jesus did not use the name He had given him. This must have cut Peter to the heart, to be addressed by his former name and not the one that meant “the Rock.” Peter, of course, responds in the affirmative, but he doesn’t quite answer the question. The term he uses for love is not the same as that which Jesus used. The kind of love Peter spoke of denotes affection. Peter, who had previously been so quick to make lofty commitments, is now hesitant to claim such a high love for his Lord. He loved Jesus, but he was humble and cautious.

Neither does he directly answer the question: “Do you love Me more than these?” Peter had previously boasted that he would remain faithful even if everyone else fell away. Now he is careful with his words. No longer is he quick to put himself above the others. Proud Peter is no more; now stands a humble man who knows his weakness, a broken man who knows his sin.

But Jesus is gracious. To cover the third denial, He asks again, “Do you love Me?” He uses the term for affection, the same as Peter had used. In essence, Jesus was saying, “Do you at least have affection for Me, Peter?” In his response, Peter appeals not to any self-worth, but only to Christ’s omniscience. Peter had to come to the point in which he relied on nothing in himself, but only on Christ. With this confession, Peter is restored. His denials are a thing of the past. Jesus has forgiven him, and now he can look to the future and his ministry to the church free of sin and guilt.

CORAM DEO

Hosea 1–4

Jude

You cannot minister to others when you are burdened by your own sin. If you have not been reconciled to God because of a particular sin you have committed, repent of that sin, go to Christ, and find forgiveness in Him. Meditate on Psalm 51 today. What does David promise to do once he has been reconciled to God?

For further study: Pss. 32; 103

wednesday

december