Today's Scripture
TODAY’S READING SCHEDULE: Song of Solomon 1-3; John 21
Do you love me – John 21:15-19
15 When they finished eating, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
Simon replied, “Yes, Lord, you know I love you.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 Jesus asked a second time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Simon replied, “Yes, Lord, you know I love you.”
Jesus said to him, “Take care of my sheep.” 17 He asked a third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was sad that Jesus asked him a third time, “Do you love me?” He replied, “Lord, you know everything; you know I love you.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 I assure you that when you were younger you tied your own belt and walked around wherever you wanted. When you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and another will tie your belt and lead you where you don’t want to go.” 19 He said this to show the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. After saying this, Jesus said to Peter, “Follow me.”
What does this passage mean to me/us?
You might have heard this interpretation that Jesus wanted a light’ payback’ to Peter who rejected Jesus three times. However, I see it differently. When we are in the mission to ‘follow Jesus’, we cannot persevere without a strong sense of purpose. Without fully understanding how Jesus loved us first, we might not be able to love Jesus to the full extent. Without that love, our Lord knows that we cannot fully follow.
So it is proper that Jesus asks us that question, over and over again; ‘My daughter/son, do you love me?’ And whenever he asks, we pray that we will answer with, ‘Yes, Lord, you know how much I love you.’ Then we will not only hear but able to follow with all we have.
Prayer
“Yes, Lord, you know I love you.” May we love you more. May we see your love covering our lives and overflowing to the world. Use us for your glory, as we follow you every day. In Christ name we pray, Amen.
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