“He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.”
John 21:17

Peter was upset because Jesus asked him three times if he loved Him.  Jesus knew if Peter really loved Him. I think Jesus is asking all of us, maybe more than three times, “Lovest thou Me?”  He knows if we love Him or not, He is trying to get us to take to heart what He is saying.

The Bible is full of reassurance of the Love of Jesus for us.  There can be no doubt in our minds that He really does Love us.  He literally died for us.  There is nothing more that He can do to show His Love for us.  He paid the debt to God that we owed.  What Amazing Love Jesus has for us!

Jesus is asking us to feed His Sheep if we really love Him.  Are you feeding the Love of Jesus to people or do you even care enough to shut off the television and pick up the telephone and call someone who desperately needs a touch of the Love of Jesus?

One day, all of us will stand before God and give an account of every word and every deed and every thought we had while we were living.  What are we going to tell God when He asks, “Why did you hurt that person by your cruel words and actions?”  We won’t be able to give excuses like we do now because He knows everything.

Let’s make an extra effort to give of ourselves, not just our money and talents, but especially our time to others.  You never know but God may use a kind word or hug from you to keep someone from committing suicide.  O’ that we would grasp the concept and take to heart what Jesus is asking us to do for others.  Jesus doesn’t ask much of us considering all that He has done for us.  How dare you and I be so selfish with our time, talents, and money!?!

I know that parents are really touched when their children come up to them and hug them without being asked and tell them that they love them.  When is the last time you told Jesus that you loved Him?  When is the last time that you hugged Him?  We hug Him by hugging others.  I urge you to tell Jesus you love Him before you go to bed tonight.

April 16, 2005