It seems as if we go through life wondering if our husbands, our children, family members and friends love us. Sometimes we feel insecure about the other people in our life, and are not sure where we stand. Even though we try to tell and show everyone we love them, they don’t seem to catch the answer…do people test our love for them?
Do your children sometimes wear crazy clothes, put rings in their ears, color their hair in strange colors, and use bad language to see if you really love them? I have to admit, I sometimes get upset at what my oldest son wears…haven’t had to worry about rings all over the body yet, strange colored hair or bad language (that I know of) lol. Our whole culture is continually testing us to see if we really love them…don’t you think!
Before going to Crosspoint Community Church I would look at others and say why in the world would they want to do that…is it for attention? The recent series of “INKED” put all this in perspective for me…actually just attending Crosspoint changed my whole perspective on loving others as they are. Why do we judge the outside? It is not what is on the outside…but the inside! Do they have Jesus, do they LOVE Jesus is what counts. Have I done my part to share the love of Jesus to get others to love Him?
How about Peter and his love for Jesus. Check out this scripture John 21:15-22.
15After breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”
”Yes, Master, you know I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
16He then asked a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
”Yes, Master, you know I love you.”
Jesus said, “Shepherd my sheep.”
17-19Then he said it a third time: “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was upset that he asked for the third time, “Do you love me?” so he answered, “Master, you know everything there is to know. You’ve got to know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. I’m telling you the very truth now: When you were young you dressed yourself and went wherever you wished, but when you get old you’ll have to stretch out your hands while someone else dresses you and takes you where you don’t want to go.” He said this to hint at the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. And then he commanded, “Follow me.”
20-21Turning his head, Peter noticed the disciple Jesus loved following right behind. When Peter noticed him, he asked Jesus, “Master, what’s going to happen to him?”
22-23Jesus said, “If I want him to live until I come again, what’s that to you? You—follow me.” That is how the rumor got out among the brothers that this disciple wouldn’t die. But that is not what Jesus said. He simply said, “If I want him to live until I come again, what’s that to you?”
In this passage Jesus asks Peter three times (after His crucifixion and resurrection and Peter’s recent denial of Him) whether Peter really loves Him.
I believe that these basic questions…
- Do you love Me? (verse 15)
- Do you love Me? (verse 16)
- Do you love Me? (verse 17)…
are in agreement with Peter’s three denials of Jesus (John 13:38)
38“Really? You’ll lay down your life for me? The truth is that before the rooster crows, you’ll deny me three times.”
Jesus in His love for Peter wanted to give him a second chance to follow Him. He didn’t want Peter to go all through life with the sin of denying Jesus before. His crucifixion. He wanted Peter to know that he was forgiven for his wrongdoings and that he could have a valuable ministry in spreading the gospel throughout the world. Is this not what Jesus does for us? Wow…thank God for 2nd chances!
But before Peter was able to confirm his love for Jesus, Jesus stated in verses 18 and 19 that the decision was going to cost him a price. Some of you may remember Peter was crucified upside down about 40 years later. After Jesus stated there would be a price for following Him Jesus said, “Follow ” and Peter did.
Isaiah 30:15 God, the Master, The Holy of Israel,
has this solemn counsel:
“Your salvation requires you to turn back to me
and stop your silly efforts to save yourselves.
Your strength will come from settling down
in complete dependence on me-
Yes, love has its price, for us not always to the extreme of Peter’s, but a price of time, energy, commitment, money, and devotion.
Is there someone in my/your life who is asking the very basic question “Do you love me?” What is my/your reply?
Hi Lynn, really good job I certainly enjoyed this post.Yes indeed our love will be tested and as you know,by those closet to us! They seem to be asking oh do you love me now? Now that I ____________ whatever! We could fill in the blank plus 2 more sheets with the stuff & things thrown at us aye. But Wow how we thank God for helping us with His forgiveness when we do it wrong,and for strength to start over again.Just like He did Peter GOD IS AWESOME! Love you Lynn
You were talking about family members whether they loved you or not well I am one person you will never have to guestion is whether I love you or not. You are a great sister and friend.