“Do You Love Me More Than These?”

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. Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.” (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, “Follow me.”

John 21:15-19

Each of us has a vulnerability that Satan is eager to exploit. It may be something addictive, or it may be something seemingly harmless and perhaps even good like food, friendship, or work. When Satan finds out what we love more than God, he knows how to manipulate us. But Satan loses his power over us when we delight in the Lord.

What do you love more than Jesus? Jesus asked Simon Peter the question. “Do you love me more than these?”

God takes delight in us – how can we help but delight in Him?

Our Daily Bread – February 7, 2009