Thoughts for another day

Oct. 23, 2007

Today's verse: Jn. 221:15. Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

In today’s verse, more than the assertion of love that Jesus wanted of Peter, in the question He asked him, it is Jesus’ love that oozes out. Peter had denied Jesus, not once but three times, that too despite his brave talk of being with Jesus in His trials even to death. In Jesus’ question, Peter realizes how much the Lord loves Him and how much concerned the Lord is that Peter may be guilty about his denial and so drift away. In a way, by asking Peter to assert His love, Jesus gave him the comfort of His own love and forgiveness. And it was not to Jesus’ benefit but that Peter may realize that despite what had happened, the Lord still counted on Him. That is what made Peter the great saint and also be martyred for Christ.

You know, we may not have much, we may not acquire much, moreover, we may be very small people in society, yet we need know that God’s love is in us, as much as in anybody else and so, we are equal in the world. What a blessed and privileged thing the love of God is – surpassing, all human logic. In the world, we trade hate for hate and wealth means all, but for God worldly wealth means nothing because He knows it’s going to perish and in His kingdom, hate is to be traded for love. For God, love means all and that is why Jesus says there are only two commandments: Love God with the entire heart, mind and soul and next, love neighbor.

God loves us so much and He expects us to love Him too. Once I remember, a colleague telling us in his sharing that we do not love God. This stunned me. I used to always think I loved God a lot, but realized it wasn’t true. If it were, I’d do anything He would ask me to and love everybody else. That realization shamed me and today, I seek His Grace in being able to love Him and thereby love others because He loves them.

I know it’s difficult to love people who aren’t what you expect them to be. Yet I know He is looking at me and I am afraid of answering His question, ‘Child, do you love Me.’