09.03.17 Do You Love Me

NBC Ministries's Podcast

Have you ever made a solemn vow that you would or would not do something? And even though you had the purest of intentions to keep that vow, you broke it? The apostle Peter can relate to this. This was the guy who, for three years, had studied under Jesus. He loved Jesus and he even swore to Jesus that he would never deny him. And then on the very night that Jesus needed him the most, Peter denied him not once, but three times! Can you imagine the guilt and anguish Peter felt? We know that he wept when that rooster held him accountable. And so, after Jesus had died and resurrected Peter decided to do what he knows he’s good at and go fishing. Sometime later, Jesus, the resurrected Christ, surprised his disciples as they were fishing and he made them breakfast. In that encounter at breakfast, Jesus asked Peter one of the most significant, penetrating and dangerous questions that any potential minister or servant can be asked. Three times Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love me? Three times Peter answered, “You know I love you.” And three times Jesus responded by giving Peter a responsibility. “Feed my lambs, shepherd my sheep, and again, feed my sheep.” This conversation shows us that the essence of effective ministry always comes from an overflow of our love relationship with Jesus. If Peter did not want to fail again, if he never wanted to deny Jesus again, it would only come from his deep love for Jesus. That was a painful, piercing question, but it was one that had to be asked. And by asking that question Jesus was not implying that Peter didn’t love him. Instead, he got to the core of what a life of dynamic discipleship is all about. It is all about love. You can’t really serve Jesus if you don’t love him.