What Did Jesus Mean When He Asked Do You Love Me More Than These

Do You Love Me More Than These?

The question is, “Do you love me more than these?” Is it proper for us to evaluate our love for Christ by comparing it to the love of others? Is it sufficient for us to say, “I know I don’t love Christ as much as I might,” but at the very least, “I love Christ more than this other person?”? Without a doubt, this is not the case. This is not the way we are supposed to gauge our love for one another. So what is the significance of Jesus’ question to Peter? Because Peter had done just that earlier in the day.

I will never turn away” (though they all did) (Mt 26:33).

The question “Do you love me more than these?” is posed to Peter.

As a substitute, he asks Peter to see the frailty of his own love.

In that state of humility, Peter is able to rebuild his friendship with Jesus, who, in his infinite mercy, provides him with a triple opportunity to repent of his threefold transgression.

Do You Want Me?

“Do you love me?” Jesus inquires of Peter three times. In this case, the limits of the English language are a hindrance to our progress. Throughout this discourse, there is a dynamic—if you will—that allows Peter to not only advance toward Christ, but also to allow Christ to move toward Peter. Our English term love is used for a variety of different things. The word is used to characterize our most personal human interactions, yet it also describes our feelings for ice cream! There were several terms for different sorts of love in the ancient Greek, which was the language in which John penned his gospel.

With the wordphilia, Peter expresses his feelings of friendship and affection for his companion.

Agapeis universal love is what we understand by the virtue of charity, and it is what we should strive towards.

In the Spanish narrative, Jesus asks Peter, “Me amas?” which comes from the wordamor, which means “love.” In contrast, Peter respondste quiero, which has the figurative meaning “I love you,” but which literally translates as “I desire you.” Both communicate love, butte quierodoes dos it in a far more informal manner.

He is suddenly aware of the frailty of his own love for the first time.
He, on the other hand, desires Jesus.
He wishes to love him more deeply than he now does.
Jesus did not reject Peter’s offer of a lesser love in exchange for his own.
He orders Peter to “feed my sheep,” which translates as “feed my flock.” Despite Peter’s weaker love, Christ grants him a share in his function as the Good Shepherd, entrusting Peter with the responsibility of caring for the entire flock of the Church.
He makes use of the wordphilia, which refers to the love that Peter was able to provide.

He accepts Peter’s sacrifice of a lesser love and multiplies it a thousandfold. This love is elevated by Christ to the level of agape sacrifice, which would ultimately lead Peter to his death on the cross. He transforms Peter’s philia into a love that is worthy of God’s praise.

The Love of Christ in Us

There is a lesson for us to take away from this. Christ meets us just where we are in our lives. He extends kindness and forgiveness to us, regardless of the nature of our transgressions. No matter how many times we have turned our backs on him, he always provides us a route back. And he takes the love that we are able to provide, no matter how faint our love may be at the time. If we are honest in our attempts to love and serve him, he will multiply our love and transform it into something magnificent.

Even our most valiant efforts in the name of human love pale in comparison to the love of God.

Holiness is a result of the love of Christ at work in our hearts and minds.

“Do You Love Me More Than These?”—John 21:15

What kind of fishing experience did Peter have after spending the night out on the water? SIXTEEN of Jesus’ disciples had just returned from an all-night fishing expedition in the Sea of Galilee, where they had come up empty-handed. The gathering was being seen by the resurrected Jesus from the seashore. “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some,” he instructed them at that point. Because of the great quantity of fish, they were unable to pull it in.” So they cast the line.

2 After feeding them breakfast, Jesus went to Simon Peter and said, “Do you love me more than these?” “Do you love me more than these?” he asked.
Peter had a strong attachment to the sport of fishing.
Is it possible that he had a stronger attachment to the fish and the fishing industry than he did to Jesus and the things that he taught?
From that moment on, he demonstrated his devotion to Christ by devoting his time and energy to the mission of disciple-making, eventually rising to the position of pillar in the first-century Christian church.
3What can we glean from Jesus’ comments to Peter about the kingdom of God?
Jesus was well aware of the tensions connected with the concerns of this order of things, and he was able to alleviate them.
(See Matthew 13:19-22 and Mark 4:19) To be sure, if we are not cautious, the worries of ordinary life may seduce our hearts and cause us to become spiritually stagnant or even die.
― Luke 21:34 (NIV).
(See the image at the top of this page.) 4 We demonstrate the depth of our love for Christ in the same way that Peter did following his encounter with the risen Jesus by prioritizing the task he has given us to undertake.
“Where does my genuine affection lie?” is a question we should ask ourselves every now and again.

KEEP SECULAR WORK IN ITS PROPER PLACE

5.What responsibilities do family heads have according to the Bible? 5Fishing was more than just a recreational activity for Peter; it was his source of income. Family heads now understand that they have a Scriptural obligation to provide for the material necessities of their families. (See 1 Timothy 5:8) They will have to put forth a lot of effort to meet this duty. Secular labor, on the other hand, is frequently a source of concern in these latter days. 6.What kinds of pressures do people face in the current workplace?

Aside from that, the continual pressure to improve productivity takes a tremendous toll on people’s health on all levels: physically, cognitively, and emotionally.
Numbers 7 and 8 are the same as in the previous sentence.
(2) What good lesson did a brother in Thailand take away from his experience with his work?
(See also Luke 10:27.) Secular labor is only a tool to achieve a greater goal.
However, if we are not careful, our secular activity may become a distraction from our devotion.
“I eventually recognized that in order to put the interests of the Kingdom first, I needed to shift my area of employment.” What was it that this brother did?
In the past, when I caught up with former coworkers, they would make fun of me and wonder why I thought serving ice cream was better than working with computers in an air-conditioned setting.

Things started to look up not long after that.

I soon found myself selling out of ice cream on a daily basis.

It has made me happy since I do not have the tension and concern that I had with my old employment.

9.How can we maintain a balanced view of our secular work?

(Prov.

Jesus said: “Keep on, then, seeking first the Kingdom and his righteousness, and all these other thingswill be added to you.” (Matt.

10.What valuable lesson did Jesus teach about setting priorities?

On one occasion, Jesus visited the home of Mary and her sister, Martha.

When Martha complained that Mary was not helping, Jesus told Martha: “Mary chose the good portion, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42) Jesus was teaching Martha a valuable lesson.

To avoid being distracted by secular matters and to prove our love for Christ, we must continue to choose “the good portion,” to give priority to spiritual things.

OUR VIEW OF RECREATION AND ENTERTAINMENT

11.1 What do the Scriptures have to say about resting and relaxing? 11We need to take some time to unwind and refuel after a long day of work and a hectic schedule of activities. Moreover, according to God’s Word, “there is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink, and to take pleasure in his hard labor.” (Ecclesiastes 2:24) Jesus understood the need of taking a break from time to time. His followers were advised to “come secretly into a remote spot and rest up a little” after one especially strenuous witnessing effort, which occurred during his lifetime.

12.What precautions should be taken when it comes to amusement and entertainment?
12 It is true that amusement and entertainment fulfill a vital requirement.
When the first century came around, many people had the mentality of “Let us eat and drink, because tomorrow we will die.” (1 Corinthians 15:32) Many sections of the world are still governed by the same mentality today.
His passion with entertainment, on the other hand, was so powerful that he ceased mingling with the followers of Jehovah.
As a result, he resumed his Bible studies and finally became certified to become a publisher of the good news of Jesus Christ.
13.(a) Provide examples of the hazards associated with recreation and amusement.
Refreshment and rejuvenation are the primary goals of recreational activities.

Consider the following comparison: Despite the fact that many of us like a sweet treat every now and then, we are aware that a constant diet of cakes and sweets is detrimental to our health.

In the same way, a consistent diet of leisure and entertainment will degrade our spiritual well-being.

How can we judge whether or not we have a well-balanced perspective on recreation?

Once we have that statistic, we can compare it to the amount of hours we spent partaking in leisure activities over the same week, such as watching television or playing video games or participating in sports.

Consider whether or not “dessert” should be reduced in quantity.

What should be our guidance when it comes to picking our recreational and amusement activities?

Recreation that is both healthy and enjoyable is a “gift from God.” (Ecclesiastes 3:12, 13) Of course, we understand that people’s preferences in terms of recreation may differ from one another.

The words of Jesus were: “Where your wealth is, there will also be your heart.” As a result of our deep affection for Jesus, we will be moved to direct our thoughts, speech, and deeds primarily toward Kingdom activities rather than toward the business of daily life. — Phil. 1:9, 10.

OUR FIGHT AGAINST MATERIALISM

15 and 16 are the digits of the number 15 and the number 16 are the digits of the number 15 and the number 16 is the number 15 and the number 16 is the number 16 is the number 15 and the number 16 is the number 16 is the number 15 and the number 16 is the number 16 is the number 15 and the number 16 is the number 16 is the number 15 and the number 16 is the number 16 is the number 15 and the number 16 is the number 16 is the number 15 and the number 16 is the number 16 As a Christian, what are some of the ways that consumerism might become a snare for him or her?

When Jesus asks Simon, “Do you love me more than these?” what is he referring to?- 3rd Sunday C 2019

Is it possible to understand what the word “THESE” refers to in Jesus’ question to Simon, “Do you love me more than these?” You almost miss the most crucial section of the inquiry, which is the part that opens Peter’s tripartite affirmation. You become so preoccupied with the “Do you love me?” inquiries that you lose sight of the larger perspective in which John frames the entire affair. That series of three-word affirmations is preceded by a three-word modifier, which is critical to interpreting the remainder of the text: The question is, “Do you love me more than these?” Most of the time, we just kind of pass over that issue because it seems like Jesus is just stirring things up, similar to how my family feels when we grill my mother about which of her sons is her favorite.

Peter and his pupils have been fishing, which was his first and most enjoyable profession.
Afterwards, after swimming in the waters – which are a metaphor of the cleansing waters of baptism – and after a lunch with clear Eucharistic overtones, Jesus raises the question.
What kind of days and activities do you like more than this familiar life, what kind of days and activities do you enjoy more than the regular unfolding of a daily routine, what kind of days and activities do YOU enjoy more than THIS type of days and activities?
Do you care about me enough to let my wishes for your life be the guiding force in your life?
Do you genuinely care about me more than all of this?
That is what it means to be a follower of the path of least resistance.
Yes, our world has changed as a result of this.
Every year, the fruits of our appeal have a positive influence on a large number of men and women – both elderly and young.
This plea is possibly the most concrete way you may show your love for Jesus in a more tangible way than these – by feeding, tending, and providing care for the sheep.

“Do you love me more than these, Simon, son of John?” “Do you love me more than these?” Jesus did not intend for the disciples to become embroiled in a sibling rivalry about who loved him more than the other disciples. As opposed to this, in the midst of your everyday life —

In the midst of doing laundry, traveling in traffic, eating meals with the kids and grandkids, experiencing the simple delight that comes from taking a stroll around the neighborhood, and participating in the everyday events that fill up our lives’ free time

– He inquires: Do you love me more than these things? Do you care about me enough to allow the greater needs of the diocese bind your hands and your pocketbook, leading you to make a sacrifice donation so that the good news may continue to be shared with the world? Your pledge card will be available in the rear of the church after each mass this week and the following several weeks. Please offer up a prayer for your donation. No matter how little or large your contribution, it will ensure that Newman Centers, Catholic Education, the Seminary and all of the vital hands-on services that make Jesus’ love so real and tangible to the world will continue to be available for those who require feeding, nourishing, and caring.

Justin Martyr, love me more than these?” After that, I’ll tend to my sheep.

Who are the “these” in the “more than these” of John 21:15?

Is there anything more you adore about me than these? – He inquires. Does God’s love for you compel you to put your hands and your pocketbook on the diocese’s greater needs, leading you to make a sacrificial donation so that the good news may continue to be spread? Your pledge card will be available at the rear of the church after each Sunday mass this week and the following few weeks as well. If you could, please have your contribution prayed over. No matter how small or large your contribution, it will ensure that Newman Centers, Catholic Education, the Seminary and all of the vital hands-on services that make Jesus’ love so real and concrete to the world will continue to be available for all who require feeding, tending, and caring for in the future.

Justin Martyr parish?” Afterwards, I’ll tend to my sheep.

According to others, the phrase “more than these” alludes to the other disciples of Jesus. For lack of a better phrase, they have Jesus questioning Peter, “Do you love Me more than these other disciples love Me?” After all, they argue, Peter had declared that no matter what others did, he would always be devoted to Jesus (Matthew 26:33)
Others contend that the term “more than these” refers to the fish. “Do you love Me more than you love these fish?” Jesus asks them, and they respond affirmatively. The fact that Peter was a fisherman (John 21:3, 7, 11, Matthew 4:18
Luke 5:1-11), of course, makes sense.

Which of the following is the most likely? What is the best way to go about determining this? Personally, I am not a fan of the first scenario, which involves the disciples. Jesus would never put Peter in a position of competition with the other disciples. What do you think the Lord was thinking when He gave Peter the chance to brag once more about his devotion to Him, which resulted in animosity among the disciples who were present throughout the conversation? The Lord Jesus Christ was well aware that Satan was always striving to bring their group to its knees, and He would not allow the Devil to get the upper hand.

This was a display of arrogance and self-centeredness.

I would be more than willing to explain why I endorse the second option—the fish—if you are interested.

Take note of John 21:1-3: “After these things, Jesus appeared to the disciples once again near the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way he revealed himself to them.” There were twelve of his followers there: Simon Peter, Thomas named Didymus, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two additional disciples who were not present.

The fishermen Peter and his brother Andrew had abandoned at the start of Christ’s earthly mission had given up their livelihood.
And he tells them, “Follow me, and I will create you men who fish for men.” “And they immediately left their nets behind and followed him,” they said.
22 And they instantly deserted the ship, as well as their father, and followed him,” they wrote.
He has been rejected by Israel, crucified, buried, and then resurrected from the dead.
The Apostles, on the other hand, would rather go back to fishing.
While the Apostles are out fishing on the shores of the Sea of Tiberias (Sea of Galilee), the Lord Jesus is in the kitchen preparing fish and bread.
Peter dragged the net all the way to the shore.
“Come and dine with us,” Jesus says to them in verses 12-13.

When Jesus arrives, he takes food from them and gives it to them, as well as fish.” In addition, verse 14 says, “This is the third time that Jesus has revealed himself to his followers, following his resurrection from the grave.” Now comes the time for Jesus to ask Peter three questions: “So when they had finished eating, Jesus says to Simon, ‘Come with me.'” Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, dost thou love me more more than these others do?

He responds, “Yea, Lord; thou knowst that I adore thee,” he says.
In response, he says to him for the second time: Simon, son of Jonas, dost thou love me?
So he tells him to take care of his flock.
Peter was distressed because he had asked him, for the third time, “Do you love me?” Peter was distressed.
According to the chapter’s opening words, “these” would be the fish, which would refer to the fishing business that Peter had returned to after ignoring his duty to Jesus Christ.
He was to be a “fisher of men,” as Christ had stated many years before.
Jesus asked the question three times, not only to highlight the point, but also to provide Peter with an opportunity to be restored to his rightful place.

Matthew 26:33-35: “It is written, ” In response, Peter stated, “Even though all men are offended because of thee, I will never be offended because of thee.

“Thou shalt refuse me three times.” Peter responded to him by saying, “Even though I die with thee, I will not deny thee.” “All of the disciples agreed on this,” they stated.

And after he had gone out onto the porch, another maid noticed him and informed those there that this individual had also been with Jesus of Nazareth.

Then he began cursing and swearing, claiming that he did not know who the man was.

After that, Peter remembered Jesus’ words to him, in which he was instructed to reject him three times before the crow came to call.

He got Peter to tell him three times that he “loved” Him!

Peter’s perspective was shifted as a result of the adjustment.

As a leader of the Messianic Church, he was influential in the first half of Acts, teaching and preaching the Word of God to God’s people (also known as Israel’s Little Flock) throughout the whole book of Acts.

As it turned out, Peter adored Jesus Christ much more than he cherished fish! For more information, see: »In what verse does it indicate that Peter was crucified upside-down? Why did Jesus tell us to cast the net on the right side of the boat? Is it OK to utilize the Book of John in evangelism?

DO YOU LOVE ME? – Why Did Jesus Ask Peter Three Times?

JOHN 21:15-1715 (John 21:15-1715) Consequently, when they had finished their meal, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than those who are with you?” “Yes, Lord; You are aware of my affection for You,” he said. “Feed My lambs,” he instructed him. 16 He asked him a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He replied to him a third time, “Do you love Me?” “Yes, Lord; You are aware of my affection for You,” he said. “Tend My sheep,” he instructed him. 17 “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” he inquired of him for the third time.

Afterward, he addressed Him, saying, “Lord, You are aware of all things; You are aware of my love for You.” “Feed My sheep,” Jesus instructed him.
“Simon, son of Jonah,” the narrator says (John 21:15-17).
The friendship that Simon shared with Jesus was what transformed him into Peter, the rock.
What is it that Jesus inquires of Peter?
Why?
In stating, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I adore You,” Peter was absolutely accurate (John 21:17).
What was the number of times Jesus asked Peter?
What was the significance of Jesus asking the same question three times?
Actually, this isn’t the case.
(See also John 21:15) “Do you have feelings for Me?” (See also John 21:16.) “Do you love Me?” (John 21:17) Who are the “these” in John 21:15?
(John 21:15).

Before His crucifixion, when Jesus had said that the disciples will be scattered,Peter had declared in effect that he loved Jesus more than the otherdisciples did: “Then Jesussaidto them, “All ofyouwill be made tostumble because of Me this night, for it is written: ‘ I will strike theShepherd, And the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ But after I havebeen raised, I will go before you to Galilee.” Peteranswered and said to Him, “Even if all are made to stumble because of You, Iwill never be made to stumble”(Matthew 26:31-33).

(Matthew 26:31-33).

Although they read the same in English, they are actually different in theoriginal Greek.

There iserosfor erotic love (none of theGreek words in the New Testament translated, “love,” in English iseros),philosfor friendship,storgefor affection fromfamiliarity among family members or others brought together not by theirchoice,philostorgos, which combinesphilosandstorge,andphiladelphiafor brotherly love.

In the passage above, Jesus usesthe verb form ofagapein the first twoof His three questions and the verb form ofphilosin the third, while Peter responds withthe verb form ofphilosall three times.
Jesus initially asks Peter if heloves Him sacrificially”more than these”(John 21:15).
Instead of addressing the comparison, Peter answers by claiming his love for Jesus as afriend; after betraying Jesus, there was no way he could claim anything morethan that.
Peter sticks to his claim of friendlylove.

Jesus will start working on us with whateverlevel of love we have for Him, but He does demand humility, which is whatPeter displayed in John 21:15-17, in contrast to his prideful declaration in Matthew 26:31-33above.

“Do you love me more than these?”

Those who want to (or even just those who want to want to) love Jesus more completely, follow Jesus more closely, and love others the way Jesus wants us to are welcome to join God Running, a community for those who want to (or even those who want to want to) do so. In our previous article from the book of John, we addressed how seven of Jesus’ disciples endured a night of failure before experiencing the genuine presence of Jesus. We also discussed how we may experience the same presence after experiencing our own failures.

There have been some questions over whether Peter loves Jesus or not.

Do You Love Me?

After all seven of the disciples had arrived on beach with Jesus, he offered them bread and fish. After breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” (Do you love me more than these?) “Yes, Lord; you are aware of my affection for you,” Simon Peter said. “Feed my lambs,” Jesus instructed. Then Jesus asked him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He replied affirmatively. “Yes, Lord; you are aware of my affection for you,” Simon Peter said.

When he saw him for the third time, he asked him, “Do you love me, Simon, son of John?” Peter was distraught when he asked the question a third time and received the following response: “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” “Feed my sheep,” Jesus instructed him to do.

Do You Love Me More Than These?

Simon Peter is asked, “. do you love me more than these?” by Jesus after they have breakfast with the seven. and that’s what I’d want to concentrate on today: “. more than these?” says the author. Is there anything else? What precisely do you mean by “more than”? Is it possible to catch more than the 153 fish? Is there something more to Simon Peter’s profession as a fisherman? Do you think it was more than just Simon Peter’s pals, the six disciples who were with him? The church fathers have written a little on this text and some great pastors have spoken on it, and after a lot of deliberation, I’ve come to the conclusion that it really doesn’t matter.

During one of the excellent sermons I heard today, the pastor mentioned that he had come across a study in which Christian mothers were asked what their top priorities were in life, and they responded that their top priorities were their children and their husbands.
I looked for the research but was unable to locate it, but I believe the pastor who mentioned it.
“What Most Influences the Self-Identity of Americans” (Barna, What Most Influences the Self-Identity of Americans) What I’m trying to say is that it’s simple to identify as a Jesus follower, but it’s even easier to find myself prioritizing other people or other hobbies before Jesus.
It is possible that the following story by Joseph Hellerman will serve as a useful illustration: Many of our college students were called into full-time cross-cultural ministry during my tenure at a church recognized for its devotion to foreign missions.
His family had provided financial assistance to missionaries, prayed for them, and even provided them with Sunday lunch while they were on leave from the mission field.

Bill’s parents, on the other hand, couldn’t bear the thought of their son sacrificing his life for abroad missions. They wished for Bill to obtain stable work and establish a good Christian family—one that, of course, would support missions—in the same way that they had.” (Hellerman)

How Can I Tell if I Love Jesus More than Anyone or Anything?

So, how can we tell the difference? What is the best way to determine whether we love Jesus more than everyone else or anything else? That is a question to which you are almost certainly already aware of the answer. Just take a look at how you spend your time, energy, and money and you’ll see where your priorities lie. The location of individuals who travel the most indicates who or what you are most passionate about. (With the exception of time spent at work, which must be spent in order to provide a living for all of us.) I’m well aware that the situation is a little more complicated than that.

As a result of your devotion to Christ, you feel obliged to love others.
Because of how much you adore the Lord, you desire to conduct yourself in a manner pleasing to him in all things.
Jesus, on the other hand, was unequivocal on the subject.
Jesus rebukes the religious authorities for interfering with people’s ability to observe the fourth commandment, which requires them to honor their parents.
“.
Paul writes in 1 Timothy 5:8 that As a result, I believe it is unambiguous that we are to love our family members.
At the conclusion of Luke 14:25-33, Jesus explicitly states that “anyone of you who does not renounce all he possesses cannot be my follower.” When it comes to loving Jesus the most, it’s easy to lose our path, and this is true now more than ever.

And for the vast majority of us, our spiritual family is not coming together right now.

Not to mention the normal sources of distractions such as job, children, and food.

Now, in the midst of this pandemic with all of its repercussions.

Now, shortly before the election, everything is on the line.

Especially now, when there is such a huge distraction.

Is it my money?

Notes: What is the most important factor influencing the self-identity of Americans, Barna, 19th of March, 2015 When family is more important than church, according to Joseph Hellerman, our priorities are thrown off. Christianity Today published an article on August 4, 2016 titled

Do You Love Me More Than These? — HolyWave Ministry

Jesus appears to some of His followers in this third appearance following His death, which occurs after His resurrection. Jesus makes breakfast for the disciples using the abundant crop of fish that was caught at His order at the crack of dawn. Simon Peter is asked three times by Jesus whether or not he loves Him. “Do you love Me more than these?” Jesus questions the disciples for the first time. “Do you love me?” He inquires on the second and third encounters with you. Simon Peter answers yes to the first two questions, saying, “Yes, Lord; you know that I adore You.” He then goes on to answer the third question.

The dialogue between Jesus and Simon Peter continues, with Simon Peter informing Jesus that when he was younger, he used to gird himself, but that when he is older, someone else will gird him.

“What do you think it is to me if I want him to stay until I come?” Jesus asks, intelligently responding.

MEDITATIONREFLECTION

When we read this chapter, we can see that Jesus is kind and always faithful, even when we are not, since he allows Simon Peter to redeem himself after having denied Jesus three times in the previous three years. It is liberating to know that, even when we make mistakes, God will enable us to repent and return to Him in forgiveness. When Jesus asks Simon Peter whether he loves Him “more than these,” I take it to mean that “these” are either the other disciples or the fish that they caught at daybreak, as I have already stated.

I was persuaded that I needed to examine my heart.
I am humbled by the fact that Jesus loved us more than “these,” despite the fact that He could have had everything He desired when He was tempted in the desert, and yet He was able to triumph over all of His spiritual fights without sinning.
Why, if Jesus loves us so much, is it so difficult for me to love him in return?
I was humbled to see how frail we are, how many times we think we love Jesus, how far we think we have come, and yet we fall short of His glory in our actions.

Reading these verses again and again made me even more humbled by Jesus’ love for us, because it didn’t really end with Jesus expecting a “unilateral” love towards Him alone, but a humbling, multilateral, all-encompassing calling to love His children, just as He states: “Tend My lambs,” “Shepherd My sheep,” and “Tend My sheep.” My thoughts was brought back to Christ’s level of selflessness and unselfishness in his relationship with us.

I was reminded of how He expects and demands us to love one another.

His attention is diverted away from following Jesus and seeing what Jesus is asking him to accomplish, and instead he is drawn to one of his colleagues.

While Jesus is asking us if we love Him, if we will follow Him, if we will tend to His sheep and honor Him, we are inadequately focusing on our own calling, on how God wants to bless and transform us, instead of realizing that Jesus’ call is the same in essence for all of us, but different and personal in shape and meaning for each of us, depending on our gifts, talents, abilities, and life experiences.

“What does that mean to me?” I was very humbled by the realization.

Remembering that Jesus’ calling is personal and not general, that Jesus rewards me abundantly according to my needs, and that Jesus’ kindness, mercy, and forgiveness are copious when I consider my transgressions are all important things for me to remember.

It is important to remember that God works in everyone of us in a different way depending on how unique and wonderful He has made us all.

APPLICATION

Then Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Go, Satan! Because it is said, “You shall worship the Lord your God, and He alone shall be your God.” Afterwards, the devil withdrew, and behold, angels appeared and began ministering to Him (Matt. 4:10-11). It has been extremely difficult for me to remain focused on loving God, loving God’s children, and keeping God’s laws as a result of the extension of the coronavirus stay-at-home order and the current state of the world’s economy. The fact that I am on a daily roller coaster of fear about the economy and God’s supply makes me realize how flimsy my faith and confidence in God are.

Even though I believe that God has placed me in a position to love His children, honor His name, grow spiritually, and trust in His ways during this crisis, I find myself experiencing spiritual lows and highs on a daily basis, and questioning God’s plan and direction for my life.

Continue to read the scriptures meticulously in order to be able to worship and serve God alone, by sincerely loving Jesus in whatever I do, and so prioritizing Him and loving His sheep that He has given to me at this time.

Knowing that Jesus will fight my battles, I must remain calm and trust in the fact that He is God.

PRAYER

I thank You, God, for loving us so selflessly that You sent Your only Son to die for us, despite the fact that we are completely unworthy of Your affection. Thank You for the honor of adopting us as your children and for showering us with Your unwavering love and acceptance. I am sorry that I consistently fall short of Your grace, that I am selfish and self-centered, and that I have a difficult time hearing Your voice. Worse yet, even when I do hear Your voice and know You are speaking to me with specifics, I have a difficult time trusting in Your will and following through.

Assist me in loving You more than I love anything else You have given me.
Give me the understanding I need to love in accordance with Your ways.
I beg you, Lord, to fill my cup so that I may be able to love as You love me with patience, compassion, joy, and hope.
Allow me to be overwhelmed by Your abundant love and mercy in the midst of this tragedy.
Help me to remain focused on Your will for me, because I am confident that You have wonderful plans to prosper me.
Assist me in resisting the pressures of societal conformity and pursuing the goals You have set for me.
Help me to put my faith in Your perfect time, and to intelligently and patiently wait for You instead of taking matters into my own hands, knowing that You are God and that You are in control.

Assist me in overcoming all of my difficulties and tribulations; please grant me victory, for what is impossible for mankind is quite feasible for You to do.

Do you love Me more than your possessions? Can you prove it?

“After they had eaten their meal, Jesus turned to Simon Peter and said, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these people?”

Peter, Do You Love Me?

Following Jesus’ ascension to the right hand of the Father, Jesus inquired of Peter three times in a row about his love for Him. Why did Jesus ask Peter this question three times since He must have previously known the answer to this inquiry? Was it only once for every time Peter refused Him or was it more than once? It’s possible that it was. When Jesus questioned Peter for the first time whether he loved Him or not, Peter instinctively responded affirmatively because he truly did, and Peter assured Jesus that Jesus was aware of his response (John 21:15a).

When Jesus used the word “love,” He used the Greek term “agape,” but Peter reacted with the Greek word “phileo,” which means “brotherly love.” As opposed to a full-grown lamb, the term for lamb is that of a “small lamb,” which might imply that the church would be comprised mostly of young lambs or new Christians.

Again, Peter, Do You Love Me?

Again in John 21:16, Jesus inquired of Peter about his love for Him, and this time Jesus used the highest kind of love, the term “agape,” which refers to a holy, self-sacrificing kind of love. Peter responded once again, saying that he did love Jesus, but that it was a “phileo,” or brotherly, love that he was referring to. Because Peter responded affirmatively, Jesus used a slightly different phrase here: “Tend my sheep,” which is the Greek term “poimain,” which literally translates as “tend” or “shepherd” His flock.

Perhaps Jesus was attempting to elicit sadness from Peter as a result of his betrayal of Him before to the Crucifixion.

Peter was upset that Jesus had asked this question three times and said, “Lord, You know all things,” implying that, of course, Jesus knew Peter loved Him, but that Jesus may have just wanted him to know that He knew, despite the fact that Peter had denied Him three times.

Proving Our Love

It’s possible that the “they” were the disciples when Jesus inquired whether he loved them more than He loved them. It’s possible that “they” were the people with whom Peter had been fishing; they may have been relatives and close friends, or they could have been the disciples, whom Peter must have grown to like (John 21:1-3). However, a more pressing concern for us is how we will respond to the inquiry “Do you love Me more than these?” What exactly are “they” in our case? Individuals whom we refer to as “these” are those who are close to us such as our family and friends, coworkers, and even those in the church.

We accomplish this by feeding God’s sheep, or, if we are a pastor, by tending to or shepherding the church, and by loving others with the “agape” love that Jesus used again and over again when he asked Peter a question.

When we seek first the kingdom of God (Matt 6:33), we are demonstrating our love for Jesus. This means we are seeking first the King of that kingdom so that we may say to Jesus, “Yes Jesus, I love you more than these.”

A Closing Prayer

God the Great Creator, You loved me first, long before I ever loved You, so thank You for loving me before I ever loved You. Only then could I have possible fallen in love with You (1 John 4:19). I thank You for your agape, self-sacrificial love for me, who is completely unworthy, and I pray in the name of Jesus Christ.

Amen

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MEDITATIONREFLECTION

APPLICATION

PRAYER

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Again, Peter, Do You Love Me?

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A Closing Prayer

Amen

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