"So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, 'Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?' "
John 21:15
Jesus ministered to His weary disciples, preparing and serving them breakfast on the beach after a long night on the boat. Scripture does not record the breakfast conversation, between Jesus and His disciples. Jesus singles out Peter for the most important question of all. "Do you love Me more than these?"
It is not clear if Jesus is referring to the catch He had given Peter, or if He was asking Peter to compare his love for Him with that of the other disciples. Peter wisely responded. "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You."
Peter began his conversation with Jesus with the two simple words, "Yes, Lord." They reveal a repentant heart, not a rebellious one. The heart of a rebel always fights for his rights. Peter yielded his.
"This is now the third time that Jesus was manifested to the disciples, after He was raised from the dead."
John 21:14
Peter had experienced the manifest Presence of The Risen Christ on two previous occasions, but he still held onto his own rights and his personal sense of direction for his life. The third time Peter was confronted by The Risen Christ, he was a different man. When he said, "Yes," to the Lord's way of life, he died to his own way of life. Wise disciples still do.
"Yes, Lord!" is the preamble to every fresh act of obedience, and it serves as the pledge of allegiance in the Kingdom. In the Kingdom, it is impossible to say, "No, Lord." Citizens of the Kingdom treat Jesus as the Lord of their lives with every breath they take, and throughout every day they live. In the Kingdom, anything less than complete surrender to Lordship of Jesus Christ is considered utter rebellion. There are no unrepentant rebels in the Kingdom.
Jesus framed the debate about citizenship in The Kingdom, within the context of love. The citizens of the Kingdom love Jesus, and they are not ashamed to declare their love for Him.
When asked of his love for Jesus, Peter did not boast of how much he had. He simple made a simple statement of humility. He no longer put his trust in his own assessment of his love for Jesus. He knew his love for Jesus was real, but also knew his grip on it was weak. He put his trust in Jesus to validate and to value the worth of his love.
Peter's statement remains a comfort to every citizen of the Kingdom who has declared more love for the Lord, than they have delivered to Him. Peter rested in the fact that Jesus knows. He always knows.
When Peter heard, "more than these," he did not rush to compare his love with anyone or anything else. He simply declared his love. Peter had a track record of comparing himself with his peers, and always coming out on top in the assessment of his value in the Kingdom. This time he left the assessment to Jesus. Humble citizens of the Kingdom don't compare their love for Jesus.
They declare it.
My Dad, Don Miller, died April 22, 2015. He was consumed with a personal love for Jesus that seemed to grow with every passing day. I was privileged to sit with him as he waited for Jesus to call him home. One day he recalled his favorite song.
" 'He walks with me, and tells me I am His own.' Just to belong to the Lord Jesus Christ, God Almighty."
His voice trailed off at the end of this statement, and he fell asleep. On the last day I saw my father alive, I heard him speak these final words to me.
"Keep preaching pal. Keep preaching. Keep loving. Never run out of love. I love you." I have his words timed at 4:10 PM.
In his hospice room, Dad came to the same place Peter reached on the beach of the Sea of Galilee. Peter loved Jesus, and he longed to be with Jesus. Nothing else mattered. The devil is in the details. Love Jesus.
NOTE TO SELF: Don't compare your love for Jesus. Declare it. It is a comfort to know you love Jesus. The greater comfort is found in discovering Jesus loves you. Begin your day with "Yes, Lord." Throughout the day, declare your love for Jesus. Don't be ashamed to say His name, and to show your love. Prayer provides you with the courage to do both.
TALK LESS! PRAY MORE!