In John chapter 21 some disciples go fishing, the job they’d worked before following Jesus. They rowed the boat, threw the nets, they were fishermen. But hours later, muscles fatigued, sleep deprived, they had caught nothing.
Time to give up….
Rowing back to shore, a familiar voice called out, “FRIENDS!!” “Haven’t you any fish?” hollered Jesus. “Throw your nets on the right side of the boat.”
Having trusted this voice before, they obeyed. And caught too many fish to hoist into their boat! Then the apostle John, the same John who wrote the book of Revelation, proclaimed, it is the Lord. Jesus already had hot coals burning in the fire and together with his favorite friends, grilled fish that morning. After breakfast, Jesus cornered Peter, who had very recently denied his Lord three times. He said, 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, …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, …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 (NIV)
Why ask the question repeatedly? Why hurt Peter’s feelings? Peter answered easily…But Jesus knows faithful love isn’t easy.
In Revelation 13:9-10 John writes to the saints whose names are written in the book of Life, who belong to the Lamb that was slain…He who has an ear, let him hear. If anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity he will go. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, with the sword he will be killed. This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of the saints.
Verse 10 serves as a reminder to believers in all generations. There is a cost to following Jesus. (Luke 9:57-62) Loving Jesus may result in persecution and has resulted in death for many faithful followers past, present and future.
The question Jesus pointedly asked Peter, he asks every believer today. Do you truly love me? Will you patiently endure? Will you be faithful? Will you cast your nets if there’s no fish? Will you do as I say when life doesn’t make sense? On difficult days when the red dragon deceives and his beasts attack, will you follow me still?
Jesus, I will love you until the end of time.
I will love you until my dying day.
I will love you, come what may.
Donielle Winter EFCC Member