During the course of the week, many people would have asked that question to perhaps many of their loved ones – “Do you love me?” Well, nothing is wrong with asking that question. Everyone would like to know or be assured from time to time of the answer. Jesus, too, asked that very question of one of the disciples not once but three times. Although he knew the answer, he had to hear it from his very own lips.
Many times we claim that we love each other but it seems only to be in words and not in deeds, or it is only demonstrated on a special day or when we feel up to it or if the person is meeting our needs or wants. However, true love knows no boundaries and it is not determined by feelings. True love is unconditional.
The question – Do you love me, is a personal question. It is a simple question but it is a very profound one which deserves, or even demands, an answer not only from our loved one or us but by Jesus himself. Nearly two thousand years have passed since those words were spoken by Christ but, to this day, the inquiry remains valid. Jesus too is still asking us that same basic question today. Do you love me more than these? Do you love me more than your family, your friends, and your occupation? Do you love me more than money or the pleasures of this life?
That is a sobering question! For it demands an answer. What will your answer be? My friends, all of us want to know that we are loved. No doubt some of our loved ones have failed us, or we have failed them. But we would still want to know the answer to that question if they were to ask us or we were to ask it of them – Do you love me in spite of all that I have done or said over the past? Do you still love me? What will our answer be? Are we not asking Jesus too that very same question for ourselves? Jesus, do you still love me in spite of all the things I have done?
If our love is dependent on feelings, or if our love was just a superficial love, the answer to that question no doubt would be: No I do not love you anymore! But if our love is indeed true love, we can say, without a doubt, “I love you regardless of what you have said or done, or regardless of how you have treated me. I really do love you!” How many of us can say those words to our loved ones? But Jesus is saying that to us individually today: “I love you regardless of!” You can fill in the blanks.
Jesus asked his disciple Peter that very question in St. John Chapter 21 verses 15- 17: “Simon son of John, do you truly love Me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “You know that I love You.” Jesus said, “Feed My lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love Me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, You know that I love You.” Jesus said, “Take care of My sheep.” The third time He said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love Me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said, “Feed My sheep.”
You see, Jesus asked Peter that question three times for a reason. Do you love me? Do you love me? Do you love me? The three questions mirrored the three denials in such a way that Peter was cut to the heart. Jesus didn’t say it, but Peter certainly was left thinking, “If I love Jesus how could I deny Him three times?” He probed Peter’s heart to discover the depth of his love for Him. Jesus was not content with merely a profession of Peter’s love. He wanted to see the evidence of Peter’s love. Oftentimes, we or our loved ones want to see the fruits of that love as well. You see, although love is an invisible entity, its fruits can be clearly seen. Jesus said, “Peter, if you love me, feed My sheep.” That is love in action.
Our love for each other too must have some form of visible demonstration. You see, Peter had failed Jesus miserably when he denied him three times. The reason goes back to what happened in the high priest’s courtyard after Jesus was betrayed and arrested. Three times Peter was asked if he was one of Christ’s disciples. Three times Peter denied this because he was afraid. He was afraid that what was happening to Jesus would happen to him. He was afraid he would be arrested. He was afraid he would be slapped and beaten. He was afraid he would be condemned to die by crucifixion. Peter claimed he loved Jesus in the past, but he failed Jesus completely at his point of greatest need. He denied and abandoned him at the time he needed him the most. No wonder he was asked that question three times of the Master.
Jesus had to prove to Peter that he was forgiven and that He loved him no less, regardless of his failures and shortcomings. At no point in time did Jesus bring up Peter’s fear and denial. Not once did He remind Peter that He had predicted this would happen. Jesus did not ask, “Simon, why did you deny me?” Jesus didn’t have to remind Peter of the awful thing he did. Rather, He asked, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?”
He wanted to hear it from Peter’s lips once again. He wanted to reassure Peter of His love for him and to let him become aware that the situation never changed Jesus’ love for Peter. Would it not be wonderful if our loved ones’ love for us, or our love for them, was the same, as that demonstrated by Jesus to Peter?
Peter’s experience can teach us about love and the things we need to do in order to start over. If you have fallen out of love, you can start over. If you have turned your back on the Master, you can start over. You can start over no matter what the circumstances are in your life at the moment. Like Peter, Jesus is saying right now, “I still love you! I am still calling you to follow Me. I am inviting you to come and serve Me. It does not matter what you have said or done. My arms are outstretched waiting for you to come unto me.” Peter accepted Jesus’ second chance. He bravely renewed his commitment. In fact he was a changed man after that moment. Peter became strong, powerful and authoritative. He preached at Pentecost so boldly that 3,000 people put their faith in Jesus. Peter became one of the key leaders in the early church. He took seriously his new commitment to care for Jesus’ sheep. The disciple who failed became the disciple who could be counted on because he put his faith in the Lord of the second chance.
We, too, like Peter, can do the same. We will come to that time and place in our lives when Jesus will ask us that fundamental question that will give us that second chance to make things right. “Do you love me more than these things and people?” That question still stands! God is a God of second chances. Make good use of that chance today. Please don’t miss that opportunity. Tomorrow might be too late.
If we truly love the Lord, let us be determined to follow him and show it by obeying His Word as outlined in John 14:15: “If you love me, keep my commandments”. The second is like it, “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” In a nutshell to love Jesus means: to put Him first, to obey Him, to love one another and to love God.
You see, my friends, love makes sacrifice a privilege, service an honour and suffering a joy. We see that in the life of the Lord Jesus. We see that in the life of the disciples. We see that in the life of the Apostle Paul. We see that in the life of the first century Christians.
“Do you love me?” The bottom line is this: The Lord Jesus wants our love. Think of the Great Commandment: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul and mind and strength.” God, in Christ, wants our love. And, He wants our love no matter what. He wanted Peter’s love, even though Peter denied Him three times. Those who love Jesus are not ashamed to confess Him before men. If we love Jesus, if we truly love Him, then we do not deny knowing Him. If we love Jesus, if we truly love Him, then we stand before the world and the church and say: “I believe in Jesus. He is my Savior and my Lord.” If we love Jesus we are not scared or ashamed to make our faith public. St. Matthew 10:32-33 state very clearly, “Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.”
You see, it is not only our loved ones that want our unconditional love – the Lord Jesus wants our unconditional love as well: No matter how faithful or faithless we have been, no matter whether we have denied Him or professed Him, no matter how strong or weak our faith may be, no matter how we have fallen into sin or practiced righteousness, no matter what! The question remains, “Do you love me?” What is your answer? Your loved ones want to know and Jesus wants to know as well.
