DON’T YOU LOVE ME MORE THAN THESE?

𝗚𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲 [𝗮 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗹𝘆] 𝗡𝘂𝗴𝗴𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗗𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴.

𝗦𝗖𝗥𝗜𝗣𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘𝗦

: John 21:12-17; John 2:25-25; John 16:29-30

*Stored Verse* : 1 Peter 2:25, ESV: “For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”

This is an interesting encounter Peter had with Jesus. Peter an intimate discipline of Jesus who was chosen from when he was a fisherman and conscripted into a higher calling of Fisher of men was found going back to that trade of fishing.

This happened after Christ crucifixion and death. Peter told other disciples that he was going back to fishing. Does this suggest disloyalty, betrayal, lack of growth, lack of faith, going back to ones vomit or what? Why will he think of going back to fishing? Why the thought of terminating that God ordained assignment? It’s not surprising that that fishing venture that day was futile until Jesus appeared at the scene and asked him this question three times.

Peter twice answered in the affirmative but got grumpy and angry obviously disturbed the third time and told Jesus thou knowest all things.

Why did Jesus ask Peter the question three times ? Remember Peter had denied him three times earlier as he had prophesied. Does that question have any connection with that denial. When Jesus asked him do you love me more than these, what does these represent? Does it represent other disciples, the fishing he went back to etc. It is like asking Peter, where is your LOYALTY, DEVOTION and and COMMITMENT to your confession of FAITH with LOVE for me and my FATHER’S BUSINESS. Peter did not hesitate to affirm that he loved Jesus.

This same question is being asked us today in different ways. My son my daughter do you love me more than these? Do you love me more that your profession, your career, your husband, your wife, your children etc. What would your answer be? Thereafter, Jesus gave Peter specific instructions after each answer , feed my lamb, tend my sheep, feed my sheep. It was like saying if you love me think less about yourself, focus on my kingdom business (assignment), love what I love and follow what I taught you.

Jesus had assured his disciples that he will be crucified, he will die but he will rise on the third day. Did they not believe him especially Peter that was quick to declare that he was going back to his fishing career. Does this not sound like the Israelites some of whom left Egypt but Egypt did not leave them because they kept wanting to go back.

𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗖𝗟𝗨𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡

Brethren, it is time we give attention COMPLETE LOYALTY (TOTAL DEVOTION) to God and abide by kingdom principles. Let our surrender to Christ be total. When our hands are on the plough let us not look back. Christ is so merciful. He does not want us to perish so he keeps on drawing us to himself even whenever we derail.

It is my prayer that we can answer in affirmative when that question is put across to us. We also pray for the zeal to continue to follow Christ will be increased in us, that we will love what he loves and do what he has taught us in his word to do daily.

(𝐀𝐏𝐎𝐒𝐓𝐋𝐄 𝐅𝐑𝐈𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝐈𝐃𝐀𝐖𝐎𝐑)

𝘗𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘴 𝘷𝘪𝘢 𝘎𝘮𝘢 𝘊𝘩𝘶𝘳𝘤𝘩 𝘍𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘪𝘯𝘣𝘰𝘹 o𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘤𝘵 𝘶𝘴.

𝘌𝘮𝘢𝘪𝘭

| 𝘎𝘮𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘭𝘺@𝘨𝘮𝘢𝘪𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮