Surrender To Love

After the resurrection, Jesus showed himself alive to the disciples. He had
breakfast with them and then had a conversation with Peter. This conversation
has been in my thoughts for days now. Jesus asked Peter: ” Simon, son of John,
do you love me more than these?”  ”Yes Master, you know I love you” Peter
responded. Different commentaries have suggested what or to whom Jesus was
referring to when He asked Peter if he loved “these” more than Him. But the real
question to ponder is what was it that Peter loved more than Jesus. Peter had
denied Jesus three times after the crucifixion. Now Jesus was penetrating
Peter’s heart with His probing question; He was allowing Peter the opportunity
to see what went wrong; perhaps why Peter had denied Him. Somewhere deep in
Peter’s heart was a love for something or someone more than His love for Christ.
I wonder what it was? It could have been that he chose fear of man over His love
for Christ; maybe care for the world over Christ. We dont know for sure. Jesus
asks each of us the same question: “Who or what do you love more than me?” It is
a question that penetrates the dark places of our lives— a question that stirs
in us the ways we deny Christ. Today, ask yourself that question. You may be
surprised at what blocks your love for Christ, but you will be equally delighted
as you read the rest of the conversation that Peter has with Christ. For in that
conversation Jesus reminds Peter that he must love Christ completely and that
from that love relationship he must love and care for others. That makes me
think that where I am unloving or unkind I must love something more than my
Lord. What about you?