Missions Blog – Do you love me?

No, I’m not asking if you love me (Amanda). However, these were the words that Jesus asked Peter three times at the end of the book of John.

Again and again He asked, Simon son of John, do you love me? After each of Peter’s responses of love, Jesus replied feed my sheep.

I’ve been undone by the grace and mercy of Jesus, while reading about the life of Peter. In some ways, I feel my story is a lot like Peter’s.

LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT PETER…

• Jesus chose Peter, out of his ordinary life to follow Him. There was nothing extraordinary about Peter. He was a fisherman, doing the trade that his father taught him.
• It’s obvious from Peter’s life with Jesus, that he was full of zeal and determination.
• Peter was determined to be the best disciple. When Jesus foretold that His disciples would abandon Him, Peter told Jesus, “Even if all fall away, I will not”.
• Peter was confident in his own ability to follow Jesus. He even claimed, “I will lay my life down for you (Jesus)”. Less than 24 hours later, he denied Him THREE TIMES.

Peter could not follow Jesus in his own strength. His own zeal and confidence was not enough to sustain him for even 24 hours.

By the end of the book of John, Peter is well aware of how inadequate his own zeal, determination, and his own strength were to sustain him in following and living for Jesus. Peter’s three denials show the depth of his inability to will himself to be courageous enough to follow Jesus. Jesus then asks Peter three times if he loves Him.

I believe that Peter’s life is a model for us as the church. Jesus after all, said that Peter was the rock on which He would build His church. But Jesus did not build His church on Peter’s strength, personality, or zeal. Jesus built His church on Peter’s love for Him. Jesus knew that love would be the only thing that could propel Peter to live for Him, feed His sheep, and die for Him.

The last three years, Jesus has shown me how in my own life I’ve served Him so much out of my own strength, talents, and will power. He showed me how it wasn’t enough—that to do any of the things He has for me to do, the only thing that will sustain me is loving Jesus.

What is your response when Jesus says, “Pikes Peak, do you love me?”

Thanks for reading what the Lord has been putting on my heart. WE’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU and what God has been speaking to you!