INSPIRATION FOR THE WEEK: "...Do you love Me?"

"He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?..."(John 21:17)

If there is one disciple who acknowledged the love of Jesus is John. In at least five instances he referred to himself as the 'disciple whom Jesus loved'. It is not because he was Jesus' favourite disciple but because he realized how much Jesus loved Him. Jesus loves us the same way and to demonstrate His love He died for us all. He loved us whilst we were still His enemies. 

We just need to realize the width, length, depth and height of the love of Christ. The Apostle Paul says, "For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,  nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39).

It is because of this everlasting love that we love our Lord Jesus, the King of kings, the Lord of righteousness! We serve Him because of His great love. When someone loves you dearly and sincerely you can't help it but return the love. 

Jesus is our King. We submit to His authority. He said, "If you love Me, keep My commandments." This is so amazing because He wants us to obey His commandments out of love. He is not forcing us to obey just because 'the Kings has spoken!' He wants us to feel free and happy to heed to His commandments. 

Do you love Jesus? "He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him,” (John 14:21).

Oh what a wonderful promise! The only thing that Jesus requires from us is love. When you love Him He says He will love you and manifest Himself to you! What a privilege and honour to be loved by the King of Kings. He has promised that if we love Him He will reveal himself to us. Yes, He continually reveals Himself to me and that's why I love Him more and more. There is a song that goes, "Everyday with Jesus is sweeter than the day before!"

Even though He is the King, he does not regard us as subjects if we keep His commands. He says, "You are My friends if you do whatever I command you," (John 15:17). A friend is someone you can confide to, someone you can trust, someone you can count on take care of your best interests. This is what Jesus is to us and this is what He expects us to be to Him. We only have to do whatever He commands us to do and most importantly do it out of love.

Love is the royal command. "This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you," (John 15:12). My dear friends, we have to show love to one another. We have to take care of one another. There is no other way to declare our love to Jesus than to love the people around us. 

God wants to use you for His purpose, but there is one thing He requires from you... LOVE. He is not demanding it but He is giving you the chance to make a decision and to be convinced in your heart that you truly love Him. He knows everything but He wants you to think carefully if you indeed love Him.

Peter knows this better than anyone else; "He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep," (John 21:17).


Jesus is asking you today, "Do you love Me?"