Read John 21:15-23
How Deep Is Your Love For Jesus?
Jesus went for a walk with Peter. Twice, Jesus asked Peter “Do you love (agape) me?” Which means do you love me with a sacrificial love? Twice, Peter responds “Yes Lord, I love (Philo) you!” This is a love that two very close friends hold towards one another.
Peter answered the question but he didn’t really answer the question. Jesus wants to know if he’s going to love him with a sacrificial love. But Peter evades the question. He’s not willing to commit to that sacrificial love. Maybe he’s humbled by the fact that he denied Jesus three times because he was unwilling to make the sacrifice.
Jesus asked Peter a third time: “Do you love (Phileis) me?” This time Jesus uses the word from Phileo vs Agape. It appears he is meeting Peter where he’s at. He sees he’s not ready to mentally commit to the sacrificial love.
What about us? How deep is our love for Jesus? Do we love him with a great love like 2 close friends have for one another? Or does it go deeper yet, because we are willing to make sacrifices for him?
Which is easier?
Sacrificing our money for Jesus?
Sacrificing our time for Jesus?
Sacrificing our popularity?
Sacrificing our control?
Sacrificing our lives?
Lord, help me be willing to make whatever sacrifice that is necessary to carry out the call that you have on my life.
