“Do You Love Me?”

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” A second time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep…”

John 21:15-17

Just before Jesus left this earth, He instructed Simon Peter to care for the dearest object of His love – His sheep. How could anyone care for them as Jesus cares? Only out of love for Him. There is no other way.

Jesus was fully aware of the love Simon Peter had for Him. His threefold question was not for Himself, but for Peter. He asked His questions to underscore the essential truth that only love for Christ would sustain Peter in the work that lay ahead – that arduous, demanding work of caring for people’s souls – perhaps the hardest work of all.

Jesus did not ask Peter if he loved His sheep, but if he loved Him. Affection for God’s people in itself will not sustain us. His sheep can be unresponsive, unappreciative, and harshly critical of our efforts to love and to serve them. In the end, we will find ourselves defeated and discouraged. Our love for Him is the only sufficient motivation that will enable us to stay the course, to continue to feed the flock of God.

It is our love for Christ that will enable us to love His children.

Our Daily Bread – August 14, 2008