CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 769

“More than These”

John 21:15 (ESV) Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon … do you love me more than these?”

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‘Do you love me?’ she asked her husband seated across from her at the breakfast table.  ‘Of course, you know that I do’, he responded without taking his eyes off of the sports section of the newspaper.  ‘How do I know that you love me?’ she pressed hoping to make eye contact. ‘Because I tell you that I do’ was his sharp reply.  ‘Oh, I guess that you do’ she sighed as she got up from the table.  Her husband did not notice her leave.

Much is said in marriage counseling about the above scenario, which is all too common.  The bottom line is that true love transcends mere words and is evidenced by active loving relationships.  God’s Word calls His church the ‘Bride of Jesus Christ’ and the parallel to human marital relationships is very real.  Our love for Christ is evidenced by our active loving relationship with Him.

To love Jesus is to love others more than ourselves.

…You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. – Matthew 22:36

Jesus asks us, as He asked Peter, ‘Do you love me more than these?’

What did Jesus mean by ‘these’?  ‘These’ can be defined as anyone or anything other than Christ.  He is asking, ‘Do you love Me more than your friends, relatives, money, job, food, drink and physical lusts and passions?’  If we answer ‘yes’ to Jesus’ question, the truth of our response is evidenced by our uncompromising adherence to God’s commandments. It is further evidenced by our sacrificial, selfless loving behavior to our fellow man.

Does your love for Jesus translate into love for your spouse and children such that you can deny your self-destructive pleasures?  Do you indulge your cravings for tobacco, alcohol, drugs, or junk foods such that you place your spouse and children at risk?  Are your children and spouse denied a vibrant relationship with you because of your constant preoccupation with your occupation?  Can you put down the newspaper, book, or magazine and engage in a meaningful conversation with others close to you?  Without resentment, can you turn off the video game or televised sports event to interact with those in need of your love?

Do you love Jesus more than these?

Many of us will only love Jesus up to a point.  Jesus is asking each of us today, ‘Are you willing to deny yourself rather than deny Me? … Do you love Me more than these?’  May you have ears to hear Jesus and a compassionate heart to respond to Jesus’ call to feed his lambs and tend His sheep with the sacrifice of your life.

Close in prayer, thanksgiving & dedication of your work to the glory of God.