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?