He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, 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, “Tend My sheep. [18] Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go.”
John 21:17-18 NASB
In yesterday’s meditation, we saw that the requirements for us as a bride is more than just servitude, but one of love. Jesus said to us, “I have not called you servants, but friends”, John 15:14-15. In the scripture above (John 21:17-18), Jesus had just risen from the dead and went to bring again His disciples to Himself after they had scattered due to his death. Peter was one of his closest disciples during his life time, but also one who denied Jesus in a state of weakness, even after professing his ability to lay down his life for Jesus. This was not an act that took Jesus by surprise. Jesus had already told him that the desire of the devil was to sift him as wheat. However, He also told Peter that when he was strengthened, he was to strengthen his brethren, Luke 22:31-34. This was far from what Peter was doing. He went back fishing in John 21:1-4, rather than doing what Jesus has asked. Hence the question “Do you love me (have affection for me and consider me your friend?”
Yesterday we mentioned that when you are friends or have an affection for someone, their burden becomes your burden. This was in essence what Jesus told Peter. If you love me, feed my sheep. A proof of love for someone is how you treat what belongs to them in their absence. One of a key characteristics of one who God considers His friends is that their heart and mind is focused on what is God’s chief priority, building His church. David said “Jerusalem, if I forget thee, let my right hand forget its craft”, Psalm 137:5. This is a very strong proclamation/ prayer. David here referred to the physical Jerusalem, the city of God. He was in essence saying that if I was a porter and I neglect Jerusalem, the city of my God and friend, let me forget how to mold clay. If I was a programmer, let me forget how to write code. In essence, let my source of livelihood cease if I forget to look after the house of my God. This was a similar characteristic of all who were friends of God: Abraham, Moses, Samuel, Jeremiah, John the Baptist etc. No matter how frustrated they were with the people of God, they knew that they were dealing with the people of God, their friend and so they loved them for God’s sake and would even take a beating or be killed while trying to feed the sheep of their God.
Another characteristic of this people is a lack of ownership of themselves and a total surrender to God. Contrary to a popular opinion, being a friend of God does not allow nonchalance and flippancy with God’s command. If anything, it is the opposite. First off, it is important to know that God does not love you more than your neighbour simply because you decided to draw yourself closer to Him. There is nothing you do or don’t do that can reduce or increase His love for you. God already showed His love to the world when He gave His entire self for us, calling us His friends. What greater love is there than this? However, when we draw ourselves to the Lord, because God is Holy, the level of consecration required of us is more, because God draws Himself closer to us, James 4:8. This also means that the consequence for flippant behaviour are more intense. An example of this is Moses, the man of God. This man knew the ways of God, while others saw His act, Psalm 103:7. Being with God, created in Him a meekness that matched no other. Yet, on the day he decided to dishonour God out of frustration, something that may have been seen as a trivial thing, it was not trivial in God’s eyes, Numbers 20:1-13. Yes, there is a deeper meaning attached to smiting the rock twice, because as Paul said in 1 corinthians 10:4, that rock was Christ and Moses was close enough to God and may have known. The Israelites (those born in the wilderness in the 40 years of wondering) had sinned multiple times and still made it to the land of promise, yet Moses was refused this opportunity.
The call to draw near to God, to delight ourselves in Him and to esteem Him in devotion, affection and love above all else is one that must be heeded by all who will make it to the fullness of Christ. Jesus said to Peter “Do you love me, then feed my sheep”. He then said to him, when you were young, you could do whatever you wanted. However, as you grow deeper into me, someone will take you by the hand and lead you to where you will not ordinarily go. The closer we draw to the Lord, the closer He draws to us in a more intimate and a possessive embrace. This also means that His chastisement will be more intense. No other nation suffered God’s punishment as intensely as Israel when they strayed away. This should put in us a sense of fear and awe. Our God is called Jealous and we need to be careful if we would draw near to Him, that we know that He is also a consuming fire. Isaiah 52:11 says they that bear the vessels of the Lord must be holy. This call for a higher and deeper walk with God is a call that not many will heed to. Yet, for all who will, who follow their Lord wherever He leads regardless of how inconvenient. Those who love Him and are devoted as a virgin is to her to the one her soul loves, they will be rewarded with the unmatched privilege given to the friends of God, not because they are more loved than others, but because they loved back the way God wanted to be loved. These will ride with Him on Mount Zion, and sing a new song that none other than them can learn, Revelations 14:1-4. These will also manifest God in dimensions that no other will. So the question remains and is directed to you, beloved. Jesus is asking ” Do you love Me?”
Prayer for today: Lord Jesus, when I consider Your love for me, in the scale of everything I was prior to meeting you, it is only a natural response for me to love You back. Lord, I want to be like the friend of the bridegroom who rejoices greatly because of Your voice. I want to be one who gives my life to ensure I hear You rejoicing because Your bride is ready for You when You come. Lord consecrate me for service and put in me the fear of the Lord, that I walk before You in full reverence, but also with full devotion to You, trembling at Your voice and following You wherever You go.
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