"DO YOU TRULY LOVE ME?
"
by Charlyne Steinkamp
Friday, April 26, 2019
"I'm going out to fish," Simon Peter told them, and they said,
"We'll go with you." So they went out and got into the boat, but
that night they caught nothing. Early in the morning, Jesus stood
on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He
called out to them, "Friends, haven't you any fish?" "No," they
answered.
He said, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will
find some." When they did, they were unable to haul the net in
because of the large number of fish. Then the disciple whom Jesus
loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" As soon as Simon Peter heard
him say, "It is the Lord," he wrapped his outer garment around him
(for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. The other
disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they
were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. When they
landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and
some bread. John 21:3-9
Jesus has risen. He has appeared now a third time to His disciples
by the sea of Tiberias. Simon Peter told several disciples that he
was going out to fish, not that he was forsaking his commitment to
Christ, but fishing was a necessity for these men as they still had
to provide food for their families. Unfortunately, they caught
nothing after fishing all night.
Can you imagine how defeated the disciples must have felt after
not catching any fish? Jesus told them to throw their net on the
right side of the boat. These were experienced fishermen and a
stranger had the boldness to tell them to throw their net on the
right side of the boat, saying, "You will find some." But there was
something about this man…it was Jesus! Do you remember this is
how Jesus called Simon Peter, James and John, the sons of
Zebedee, as His disciples three years before? Luke 5:1-11
Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish you have just caught."
Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was
full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn.
Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." None of the
disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord.
Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same
with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his
disciples after he was raised from the dead. John 21:10-14
Stop right now and ask the Holy Spirit to open your spiritual eyes
and soften your heart to receive His message for you personally
today.
The disciples obeyed their Lord. Look at how the Lord
blessed them for their obedience. May you learn that your
life would be so much easier if you will ask the Holy Spirit
daily to be with you, guiding you, directing your every step,
showing you which way to go. Seek the Lord for His wisdom,
knowledge, understanding and discernment.
If you are having a bad time right now, you need to ask the Holy
Spirit to keep you on the right path every day, knowing that the
Lord is right there beside you. Talk to the Lord throughout your
day. Do you recognize or hear the soft voice of the Lord when He
is speaking to you? Just listen!
How much do you really love the Lord? I ask that today,
because I believe that your Lord is asking you today, "Do you
truly love me? Never give up on your marriage! Stand firm in
the Word and proclaim My truths and stand up for the
sanctity of marriage wherever you are."
What would your answer be? What would you do? Today, examine
your heart if you are willing to love and obey your Lord in spite of
your present marriage circumstances!
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon
son of John, do you truly love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he
said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." Again
Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?" He
answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take
care of my sheep." The third time he said to him, "Simon son of
John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him
the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all
things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my
sheep." John 21:15-17
Do you think it was a coincidence that Jesus asked Peter
three times, "Do you truly love me?" Remember, Peter had
denied knowing Jesus three times before He was crucified,
so Jesus was questioning Peter's commitment and devotion.
There are two Greek words for "love" used in the above scripture.
The first "agapao" means an intelligent and purposeful love,
primarily of mind and will. It is an unselfish love, ready to serve.
The second, "phileo," involves warm personal affection of the
emotions, a feeling of love, tender affection.
Here was Jesus asking him, "Do you truly love me more than
these?" Have you ever rejected or denied your Lord? You may
be thinking, "I would never disown my Lord!" I believe that
you and I have disowned our Lord more times than we want to
admit.
I disowned my Lord, when I did not go to Him asking Him for His
divine intervention with my marriage problems. I went to everyone
else asking for their opinions and advice. I then did what they said,
instead of seeking my Lord's perfect will.
Are you listening to the Holy Spirit today? Is He asking you,
"How much do you love me?" I know that your Lord God wants
you to love Him more than your spouse, your children, your
grandchildren, your career, money, possessions and
restoration of your marriage.
God is a jealous God. The Lord wants to be first in your life. He
wants you to grow in the Lord, radiating the power of the Holy
Spirit in your life. The Lord wants to heal you of your wounded,
bleeding, broken heart.
"Do you truly love me?" Is your love conditional upon what you
want the Lord to do for you? What is your answer? Think
about it and pray, asking the Lord to reveal the truth about
your own heart.
Will you start "feeding other sheep" around you who need to
hear the Lord's message of love, hope, salvation, deliverance
and marriage restoration? The Lord will equip you each day
for what He wants you to do. Will you allow the Lord to use
you today in spite of what is happening in your marriage or in
your spouse's life?
Allow the Holy Spirit to heal and restore your life today. You don't
have to wait for your spouse to come home to begin. Follow the
Lord and serve Him now!
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon
son of John, do you truly love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he
said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." John
21:15
God loves you so much that He sent His only Son to die for you! You
are loved! Now go share God's amazing love every day to others
around you!
God bless,
Charlyne Steinkamp
