"Jesus said to Simon Peter,
'Simon, son of Jonah do you
love me more than these?"
John 21:15
That night he got a call from his son who was in jail. He needed help after being arrested on a DUI. His father immediately left home for the jail. He signed his son's bond and brought him home. The father didn't scold his son with harsh words. He listened to his son tell him what happened. After they arrived home, the father looked eye to eye with his son and simply said, "I love you, and I always will." The son began to weep. He said to his dad, "I'm so sorry. This will never happen again." And in all the years thereafter, it never happened again.
Simon Peter denied Jesus three times before others at the crucifixion. After the resurrection, Jesus never mentioned his sin. He did ask him three times, "Do you love me more than these?" Simon Peter never denied Him again. As a matter of fact, he became one the greatest leaders in the church. Jesus was and is about loving people, even people who have done wrong, and that includes all of us. He knows that only love can change our lives. He wants us to love Him, because He loves us so much.
Jesus is asking you and me: "Do you love me more than these?" These refers to anyone or anything that would cause us to deny Him. Each of us must answer the question for himself. Without doubt He loves each of us, and without doubt He wants us to love Him. Our relationship with Him is built upon love. We love Him because He first loved us. Jesus forgives us, because He loves us.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, Your love for us is overwhelming. We could never earn nor deserve Your great love for us. You have forgiven us, because You love us. We love you.
