Lovest Thou Me?

Brother Bob is sick. Please remember him in prayer. In his absence this morning, Rev. Reynolds Frye brought the morning message.

Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. John 3:16 tells us that God loved us so much that He gave his only Son to die for us. The old song goes love lifted me, and I'm glad that 44 years ago that Jesus did just that–he lifted me out of my sins. That same God can do the same today.

John 21:15-17: So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 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.

The disciples had fished all night and caught nothing. Jesus told them to cast their nets to the right side of the boat. Remember we need to be on the right side. At the command of Jesus, the disciples did so and caught so many fish that their nets began to break. When they had eaten, Jesus proceeded to ask Peter the same question three times, lovest thou me more than these? In asking this question, Jesus was asking Peter if he loved him more than the fish, more than the world, more than anything. Peter responded in the affirmative, thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus said feed my lambs. It is the love of Jesus that will take us to heaven. By these words of Jesus, Peter received his commission; feed my lambs, my sheep, my people. You do not have to be a preacher to tell others about God and his love; we are to be a witness. God's way is love; we have to love others too and share God's love.

Jesus asked Peter a second and third time if he loved him. Peter was getting a little upset and told Jesus thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. We need to remember that there is nothing that God doesn't know. He knows us and loves us anyway.

In the story of Mary Magdalene at the tomb we find her weeping. She asked where have you taken MY LORD; she made it personal. We need to have a personal relationship with God– it needs to be personal for us.

In the story of Mary's anointing of Jesus' feet we read that Jesus told the Pharisees that the one who is forgiven most loves most. No matter what you've done Jesus loves you and will forgive you. He is asking us today: do you love me more than these? Do you love God more than the world? The world will burn, but the love of God abides forever.