Do You Love Me?

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to
Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love
me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said,
“you know that I love you.” Jesus said,
“Feed my lambs.” John 21:15

I was caught by the words of our Lord to Peter, “Do You Love Me?” I thought, what a relevant question today. It’s the same question I have had to ask many friends (avoiding the itch to put the word friends in quotations). Watching the truth spew from their hearts onto their timelines has been a painful experience.

These are people that I have shared intimate moments with. Some on the football field, others in marching band, some in organizations, others in clubs, some are alums from the same school, people I have shared money and invested time into building a relationship with. People who I have dinned with, sat by the hospital bed with, counseled their marriages, cried at their funerals, brought gifts to their family birthday parties, spoken at their graduation celebrations answered their calls in the wee hours of the morning, and hopped out of bed and in my car to talk them off of the ledge. Some of them are people who I have worshiped with, prayed with, fasted with, studied with, served with, traveled with and suffered with. By now, surely, I should be able to say the word friend without quotes.

In all honesty, when confronted, much like Peter they all claimed that their love and friendship for me was true. They reaffirmed our bond and gave implication that they would draw their sword as well, and would fight for me and defend my innocence. They gave the illusion that they would be one that would speak up if needed, but honestly many meant they would speak up if they: 1. Knew they could make a difference and 2. Knew their circumstances wouldn’t be impacted.

Peter Stands before Jesus as one who Bowed down

Peter now stands before the Lord and hears the question “Do you love me?” The one who spoke so powerfully and confidently about who Jesus was. While others were confused, Peter was confident that He was the Messiah. While others walked in doubt, Peter strode in faith. Peter saw his sick mother healed, saw the transfiguration, witnessed Lazarus come out of the tomb.

Honestly, all that means nothing if he answers this question wrong. The way he answers this question will determine what he does with what he knows and what he has seen. The answer to this question is beyond words. These words can’t just be spoken like before. These words must be an accurate reflection of what’s in your heart, because they will be tested. Peter found that it was not just enough to say the right thing, He would have to have the courage to stand for what was right. And to date, he had now faltered.

Peter, “Do you love me?” While Peter was insulted and probably thought this was a needless question, Jesus asked this question to him 3 times, and allowed him to answer each time. Peter showed love and courage in the garden cutting of the ear of the soldier that came to get Jesus, but then watched from afar as He was wrongfully convicted and sentenced. He witnessed the conspiracy unfolding to set the stage for Jesus impending death by crucifixion’s. He watched as Jesus said not a mumbling Word to gain His Freedom, and Peter in turn didn’t say a Word that would Liberate Jesus or Implicate himself. Knowing what was in store for Jesus, He decided the preserve his own life and hid his love for Jesus deep down in his heart.

Confronted three times by the woman,
Peter knew the danger of being a Jesus Lover.

Are you a Jesus Lover? Peter knew that his confession of love or concern for the life of Jesus could bring his life to an end. As opposed to taking a stand, he remained quite and did his best to blend in with the masses. He became no better than all those who had benefitted from Jesus’ healing ministry, deliverance ministry, benevolence ministry, food ministry, teaching ministry, prayer ministry, and preaching ministry and chose to watch an innocent man suffer at the hands of guilty men. Though he didn’t lay down palms, or cry out crucify him, he joined the chorus of silent voices that agreed with the crowd by finding safety in its numbers.

Peter wasn’t ready to die, let alone die for Christ!

Jesus was ready to die for the world! Peter was not ready to die, and he most surely wasn’t ready to die for someone else. Peter went from disciple to crowd and now he stands face to face with the creator and is questioned about his love and loyalty to the covenant that has been established. The many things that must have gone through the mind of Christ as He stood there with His friend. The one who had already given his word that he would not betray him, now stands before him and gives another oath to replace the one he had broken. Jesus knew before His death, Peter’s word were only as strong as his circumstances, and now His prayer would be that Peter’s word would become their bond.

I and many others now stand in a similar place. We have heard the oaths all too many times. We been loving and made ourselves vulnerable. We have taken the risk to build relationships with those whos history has left many questions unanswered and wrongs unresolved. Though their word was given, the fear for their own demise and a self preservationist mindset overshadowed what they knew to be true, and as opposed to marching for justice, they stormed with the crowd. As opposed to speaking up for truth and equality, they aligned with those who desired to keep their foot on the scale of justice, giving the illusion of equality and justice.

So what is Jesus to do? He knows that Peter loves Him, but is aware that Peter loves his own life more than he values the life of Jesus. He has not yet realized that to die in Christ is to gain. He is unaware that He must pick up his cross and die to self daily. What should Jesus do with Peter? He knows from Peter’s previous response that there is always the chance that Peter will be friend until those around him become unfriendly because of his association with Christ. Honestly, many of us have the save fears, and live with this awareness. We know that our relationships are genuine with many, but understand the power and fear that can be imposed by a crowd. While we have seen people’s natural fight or flight response, we are also aware that many can be made to feel helpless to the point of agreeing with those who are aligned against right for fear of not living past the night.

While Peter followed at a Distance, John stood at the Foot of the Cross

I suppose Jesus was encouraged by the fact that He peered down from the cross and saw John. Maybe seeing someone stand by Him at the cross? Maybe He recalled the moment Peter received revelation? Maybe He was simply honoring His Word to build upon Peter?

This is where so many of us stand. We have to focus on the voices that raised for right, and not the voices that cried out against what was right. We have to listen to the harmony of love and unity, and not be discouraged by the deafening silence of those who love for everyone to speak up on their behalf but are silent when its time to speak up for others. We must engage those who denied their love for us; fearful of being labeled a Jesus Lover, and focus on those who marched in the streets, and confronted every “Karen” they saw. We have to focus on the maturity displayed by the friends that have been enlightened and give those who have embraced darkness a chance to once again live in the light of truth.

Honestly, we don’t know what Jesus was thinking or feeling! But we are aware that Jesus gives Peter another chance. He reaches past the past, and lives in the present. He acknowledges yesterday, but gives Peter an opportunity to live a different future. He chose not to condemn Peter, but chose to restore Peter. Despite what Peter deserved, Jesus spoke from what he contained. His words to Peter were firm, but were saturated in mercy, glazed in grace and filled with love. Jesus allowed Peter’s Word to have weight. He formed a new covenant with Him and affirmed His confidence in Peter by taking his word as truth, and committing to live in covenant with him.

Brothers and Sisters, we must do likewise. Back to Work! While there is something to see here, we can’t get stuck here. We must acknowledge evil and treat these ugly moments like an active crime scene. We must study it. We must learn from it. We must grieve from it. We must grow from it. We must reveal the work of the adversary and bring justice those who have suffered, and be compassionate and understanding as they start the road to healing. We must sure up our communities, and build up our families. We must shine the light in the darkness as opposed to being paralyzed in fear that darkness could rise again. Honestly, light dispels the darkness, it doesn’t destroy the darkness, thus in order for us to keep darkness from covering the room, we must all continue to shine.

I guess I should end this by asking, “Do you love me?” Regardless of your answer, like Christ to Peter, you can be assured that I love you, and if need be, will forgive you. Just make sure you do likewise!

#PastorJDO3 #InternetPastor