John 21:15 - 17
"So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, 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 the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
(17) He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, 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."
Did you say "I LOVE YOU, LORD?"
John 21:15 "So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, 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."
Jesus, when he was here on earth he asks Simon Peter, one of His disciples the question “did you love me more than these?” In three times. And Peter answered Jesus “Yes Lord I love You” the same words three times.
The word "THESE" here is referring to:
1. Abundant blessings
2. Comfort here on earth.
3. Profession
The above mentions may Peter used to excuse himself not to follow Jesus. Not to be part of the disciples of Jesus. Especially that day Peter knows what will and can happen to them because of following Jesus.
For them, they already knew that following Jesus is a life-and-death situation. But despite all of these the heart of Peter was full of courage to stand for what he believes in.
He dares to do what he had said in Matthew 26:35 "Peter said unto him, though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples."
He is not afraid to die for Jesus’ sake.
Jesus knew the heart of all men. He knows what is in the heart of Peter when He asks Peter. But why Jesus asked Peter this question three times?
Jesus asks Peter three times not because he did not believe in Peter’s answer, but he loves to hear from Peter the words "Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee."
IF JESUS ASKS YOU?
"(Your name) will you love Me more than these?"
If you put yourself in the shoes of Peter, what will be your answer? Can you also answer "Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee." without doubt, fear, like the answer of Peter to Jesus?
Or you will pause for a while and think what better answer you can give to Jesus at that moment?
Especially when Jesus exposes to you all things that you might get and receive here on earth.
What are those?
To be specific, the things that you should think before you answer the question of our Lord Jesus are these things:
a. Your loved ones.
b. Your profession.
c. Your comfort zone.
d. Your dreams and ambitions.
Yes, saying I love you Lord is so easy to say, but the question is do we know what these words mean?
I always wonder if we know what are we saying before the Lord, especially in the words "I love you, Lord". Are we know what we are saying? or we just like want to say it to prove to others that we love the Lord, and or we are just saying those words to prove that we are true Christians?
Having said that, loving the Lord is not enough by just saying the words "I love You", but the Lord is looking after we said that. That's why the Lord answered Peter "Feed my sheep" - The Lord is waiting for our action after we said, "I love You, Lord".
Bible Records, it is not Peter who was first tested by the Lord if he truly loves the Lord, it is the Lord Jesus Christ who was first tested about proving His love to God the Father.
Remember when the Lord Jesus fasted forty days and forty nights (Matthew 4:1-11 and Luke 4:1-14), He was TEMPTED by Satan but TESTED by God the Father.
How did I say this? Jesus was LED by the Holy Spirit in the wilderness to be TESTED and TEMPTED by Satan (Matthew 4:1 and Luke 4:1). Note: God never tempted anyone of us, only Satan can tempted us in all aspects of our lives.
YES. Jesus is Lord. No doubt of it, but at this moment Jesus is a Son of man. He took off His Godness and make himself in the likeness of men Philippians 2:6-7 [6]Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: [7] But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
At this point, Jesus is like Peter or even like us that can be tempted, can bring disgrace and dishonor to God the Father, what are the things that were tempted Jesus to renounced God the Father and to forsake God the Father?
Look and read the verses in Matthew 4:1-11 and Luke 4:1-14, Jesus was tested also to prove His love to God the Father. what are those:
Firstly, Matthew 4:3 "And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread."
Secondly, Matthew 4:5 "Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,"
Thirdly, Matthew 4:8 "Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;"
These three verses mentioned above are the three things mentioned in 1 John 2:16 that can be seen in the world. 1 John 2:16 "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world."
Believe it or not, Satan is not empty-headed and not wise to know what is the standing of Jesus at that moment. He can't tempt Jesus if He (the Lord Jesus Christ) is not taking off His Godness.
Satan has no power over Jesus. Satan is always defeated.
Now... If Jesus proves His love to God the Father, Peter also must prove his love to Jesus by feeding Jesus' sheep. Sheep here are all Believers of Jesus. In this case, Peter never fails Jesus.
Peter fed all Christians. Through The power of the Holy Spirit, Peter fed all believers of Jesus by the word of God.
Faith. Love.
Peter has when he answered Jesus’ question. Exceptional faith. Even Jesus can’t exempt it. Love that is without boundaries. Love that is without fear.
Paul said in Philipines 1:21 "For to me to live in Christ and to die is gain.", this was first true to Simon Peter that he will live to Jesus, and He will die only for Jesus.
Therefore Peter’s heart is full of love and faith for Jesus. He never thinks about what will happen to him as he follows Jesus. He never thinks about what he will gain when he follows Jesus.
Peter’s love for Jesus is genuine.
For Peter, his loved ones, profession, comfort zone, dreams and ambitions, and abundance blessing are less compared to his love for Jesus Christ.
Brethren,
Do you have a heart like what Peter’s had?
A heart full of faith and love for Jesus, That in these last days whatever happened to you, still you can and will say those words to Jesus.
Although those words telling you it is the loss of abundant blessings that you can get and have here on earth, loss of your comfort zone, and even your profession?
What is in your heart? It will be your answer to Jesus. Remember what is in your heart know by Jesus.
You can’t deny and hide what is in your heart from Jesus.
Answer this question like what Peter answered Jesus, "Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee." without doubt, and fear! And you will see what the Lord in store for you.
TO GOD BE THE GLORY
Letter for my Brethren,
I pray that your heart may be filled and be full of love through the Holy Spirit. He may the love that filled and full your heart leads you to continue searching for God. I pray that the blood of Jesus Christ covers you wherever you may go. In Jesus Name, Amen.
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