The Loving of Obedience

There have been numerous times when I have done something for someone not because I necessarily wanted to, but out of the love that I had for that person. The love that I have for certain people will cause me to do just about anything for them and I believe that is how it should be for all of us.

In John 21:15-17, we read in two verses which fall under the heading of "The love motivation." Jesus and his disciples had just finished eating breakfast together one morning when Jesus looked at Peter and asked, "Simon son of John, do you love Me more than these?" Peter answered, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." Jesus then said to him, "Tend My lambs." Jesus then again asked "Simon, son of John, do you love Me?" and Peter answered, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." And Jesus said, "Shepherd My sheep." Jesus for the third and last time asked Peter "Simon, son Of John, do you love Me?" Peter then the Bible says was grieved because Jesus had asked him the third time if he loved Him. Peter answered Jesus by saying "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” And Jesus replied the final time by saying “Feed My sheep.”

This breakfast meeting took place while Jesus was making appearances after His resurrection. I'm sure that it was a major blessing for these disciples that day. Remember also that Peter denied Jesus three times and now he says three times that he loves Him and with that declaration of love comes direction.

Looking back when Peter denied knowing Jesus he was asked twice if he was one of Jesus’ disciples or not. Both times not only did he deny Christ, but he denied that he was His disciple. The third time the question was asked of him was from one of the relatives of the man whose ear Peter had cut off in the garden the night of Jesus’ arrest. This man asked Peter if he was the one that he had seen that night and Peter said no. This whole denial of being a disciple would later prove to be heartbreaking for Peter, yet here he gets the chance to three times reaffirm his love for Jesus. We read how he’s quick to answer and it’s as though he reinstated into the Lord’s work as a disciple.

It's interesting as well to think of what it meant when someone asked Peter if he was one of Jesus' disciples or not. To be a true disciple meant to study, learn, and follow Jesus. To walk in the authority that he gave them and be proactive in healing and proclaiming that Jesus was the way. Being a disciple did not mean just to simply follow Christ around, but to be an active participant with Christ and all that he was doing and trying to do. So, by denying he knew Jesus he also denied the role he was partaking in the role of a disciple. 

To then sit with Jesus and have him ask Peter three times if he loved him was one thing, but he also three times gave him a job description- the role he was to play. The role that one does when they truly Jesus and want to be a Christ-follower. Jesus gave him his marching orders so to speak that day when Peter reaffirmed his love and devotion to Jesus.

It's so easy to say, "I love you" and yet be so conditional with it- especially when it comes to God. It's easy to say?" Yes, God I love you" and yet not do what he asks of us- or only pick and choose what we want to do – when we feel like it. For us, we tend to make a list a mile long of reasons and yet really their selfish reasons. For if we really love Christ and sincerely realize what a price that He paid for us we would never say no. Some may say "Oh, I would never deny Christ- I am always open about my faith and love for God", and while that is wonderful, isn't it though also a denial of Christ when we don’t do what He tells us to? Isn’t it wrong to profess our love and devotion for Him, and yet then pick and choose what we will do based on what we feel like at that time? 

Even in this story- Jesus' only request which was brought out three times was that Peter takes care of God's people. To truly be Christ follower- a disciple. To partner with God for the rest of his life in telling others of him and to love and care for them. This was Jesus's request that day and thankfully Peter obeyed. I believed Peter obeyed out of his deep love and commitment to Jesus.

What about you? Are you willing to never deny Christ about anything? Are you willing to be completely sold out to Christ no matter who is around? Are you willing to take a stand in front of others and say "Yes, I'm a Christ-follower" and know that your life reflects the words that you have chosen to say? Are you willing to do what he is asking of you at any given moment regardless if you want to or not? If you are then you know that your motivation is right where it needs to be and that is out of love.

From Gardens of Splendor by Gina Burns