07/26/2021
How do we respond when Jesus asks us if we love Him? Do we simply answer yes without a second thought, or are we grieved that He would have to ask us this at all? Jesus knows us, and He already knows the answer to this question before He asks, so what is the point of it? His point is to reveal to us the degree to which we love Him. How many times must He ask us before we think deeply about our answer, and respond to Him from our heart? Perhaps we don’t grieve at all, and if this is the case then doesn’t that tell us a great deal about our faith as well?
“He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.”
John 21:17 ESV
My wife is an amazing cook, and she prepares extraordinary meals. Often times when dinner is served the conversation grows quiet at the table as everyone enjoys her cooking. This is when she asks me “How is it?” and I answer “It is good!”. Then there is a pause, and I know what is coming… she asks me again, “Is it just good?” I answer again that is exceptionally good, and she asks a third time “Yes, but do you like it?” It only takes me three times before I put down my fork and answer in an emphatic tone of near exasperation… “Yes, it is a wonderful meal, and this recipe is a keeper!” At this she smiles, and says “Thank goodness!”, and we can continue eating.
Ann knows me intimately, and she knows that when I am too busy eating to talk that her meal is awesome, but she asks anyway because she wants to hear me say it, and it is important for her to hear that she has pleased me. Two things have happened here… I have had to think more purposefully about my response, and Ann has heard not only that I liked the meal, but the emotion in my voice. Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him for very similar reasons, and on occasion He asks us such questions. Remember when we first believed? Didn’t we have to answer the question “Who am I?” more than once?
“Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?””
Matthew 16:13 ESV
Before we can truly profess our faith in Jesus we must be certain of who He is. Typically, by the time we are asked, we already know. So why are we asked? We are asked to clarify this not in the mind of Christ, but in our own minds. Jesus asked His disciples a second time..,
“He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.””
Matthew 16:15-16 ESV
Only at this point, when Peter had answered correctly, did he receive what Jesus wanted to give him all along…
“And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.””
Matthew 16:17-19 ESV
So how do we answer Jesus when He asks us if we love Him? Do we answer the same way the second time He asks? What about the third time? How many times does it take before we finally put down what we are doing and answer Him from our heart? How many times does He have to knock before we finally open the door for Him, and what does that tell us about ourselves, and our faith? Are we certain in our hearts, minds, and soul? If so then Jesus will tell us too…
“… Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.”
John 21:17 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the questions you ask us, even when you already know what is in our heart. Thank you Jesus for asking us questions repeatedly until we are certain in our own heart, mind, and soul of our answer. Help us to clarify our thoughts, and know with certainty how we feel in our hearts. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who calls us, and leads us to you through your Son Jesus. We praise you for every set of questions you ask us, and for the answer you reveal to us. You are merciful Lord, and don’t let us venture out until we are ready to answer the questions of faith correctly by reveling the answers that have remained hidden our hearts. Father, ask us the questions that lead us to eternity with you, the questions about your Son Jesus, about our love for Him, and about the love we have for you. Then wash us clean in the blood of Christ, and seat us at your table forevermore.
Rich Forbes