I’VE BEEN THINKING

July / August, 2008

         I’ve been thinking, how as a small boy in Sunday school, I would sing, “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so”. Maybe you remember singing it too. It’s a great song, reminding us of Jesus' love for His little children (whatever their age). But as I grew and began to understand what real love meant, I questioned whether or not I really loved Jesus. Did I love Him enough to follow and give my life to Him?
         In John 21, Jesus asked Peter that question, “do you truly love me?" Jesus didn't question Peter’s theology or how many years he had been a disciple. He simply asked, "Do you love me?" You see, Peter could talk a good line. It was Peter who promised he would die before he would deny Jesus. But when push came to shove, Peter denied three times that he even knew who Jesus was. In the days that followed Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, Peter did some real soul searching and perhaps for the first time he began to understand what Jesus meant when He said, "If anyone will come after Me, let him take up his cross daily and follow Me." Why, this kind of love meant real commitment!
         One morning, a few days later, Jesus was waiting for Peter as he returned from a night of fishing. As they sat and ate breakfast together, Jesus asked Peter the question he least wanted to hear, "Simon son of John, do you truly love Me?" The Greek word Jesus used for love was "agapao," meaning a real sacrificial love. Peter knew what Jesus was asking, but he didn't want to answer that question. So he answered, “Yes Lord, you know I love you,” using a different Greek word, “phileo,” meaning he had affection for Jesus. Well, Jesus didn't give up. Again He asked the same question, "Peter do you love Me?" And again Peter answered the same way. Finally Jesus stooped down to Peter’s level, “Peter, do you only have affection for me?” Peter had been found out. His love for Jesus had been only affection; not real commitment.
         The whole purpose of this conversation was to help Peter understand that he couldn’t say he really loved Jesus as long as his actions showed he loved his own life more. It mattered little what Peter said or even felt as long as his actions didn’t back up his words.
   As Peter sat and talked with the risen Lord, he could see His nail scarred hands and spear wound in His side and reflect on how Jesus had loved him. Was it so much for Jesus to ask Peter to love Him with the same kind of love? That encounter with Jesus changed Peter’s life forever. No one who really understands the truth of “Jesus loves me...” will ever be the same. That day Peter made a choice to love and follow Jesus whatever the cost.
         I’ve been thinking how Jesus’ question, “do you love me?” applies to us today. There are millions of people who say they love Jesus, and may even have an affection for Him but don’t understand what real love means. Real love means real commitment in many practical ways, such as Church attendance. As the summer months are here it’s easy to find fun things to do, but those who love Jesus, love His Church. The Bible says, "I love the house... where your glory dwells” (Psalm 26:8). Real love also means sacrificing your time to learn God’s Word and sacrificing your will to obey and serve Him with your life. Jesus said, “If you love me, you will obey what I command” (John 14:15). Perhaps the hardest part of love is “loving your neighbor as yourself.” It’s often the ones we know best (church members) that it’s easier to be critical with, rather than to truly love and embrace. But if Jesus can love us as we are and if we say we love Him, we have no choice. The Bible warns us, “If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar.” (1 John 4:20)
         I’ve been thinking, and you too must think and decide, whether you love yourself, your comfort zones and your will, more than you love Jesus, who loved you so much. Don't forget, Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.” (Matt. 6:24)
         From time to time we all need to take a good look at ourselves and think. If you’re not sure what kind of love you have for Jesus, rather than suppress your doubts, confess them to God and ask Him to fill your heart and life with real love.

Your Servant, Pastor Elden