When love is tested

“Now come and have some breakfast!” Jesus said. None of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Then Jesus served them the bread and the fish. This was the third time Jesus had appeared to his disciples since he had been raised from the dead. After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.” “Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him. Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.” “Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said. A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” John 21:12-17 The Lord Jesus Christ has a wonderful way of restoring His children when they fail Him! From the text, the Apostle Peter was given the opportunity to be restored once again in his relationship with God. He realized how he failed miserably when he denied his allegiance to God. He failed him when he lost his temper when Jesus was getting arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane when he chopped off the ear of one of the soldiers. He denied three times when he was asked if he was one of the followers of Christ. Yet despite all these actions he took contrary to what God expected from him, God still provided him the opportunity once again prove his loyalty to Christ. God did not humiliate him and did not rebuke him of not even trying harder. Peter might have thought that he was not qualified to be God’s follower when he was supposed to be standing up for his faith where it would count most. As you evaluate your life, you might be aware of the times that you have failed Him by not standing up to what you believe about God. Or perhaps you were supposed to obey a certain command yet did not because you gave in to temptation. Probably your life does not resemble His image He wants you to project to others. Just like what Christ did to Peter, God will take you aside and will ask you to examine your love for Him. The Lord Jesus Christ asked Peter three times, “Do you love me?” And just like Peter, God wants to hear from you that you will say, “Yes, Lord, I love you.” He wants you to always reaffirm to Him your love. God wants you to continue to abide in His love. You manifest this love to Him by your willingness to obey Him. “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love” (John 15:9-10). When you say you love God, then obey His commands (John 14:15).

Blessings,