Our Pastor posed a question a while back to our congregation: “Do you love God more today than yesterday?”  It’s a question that made me squirm uncomfortably in my seat.  I must have felt exactly as Peter felt when Jesus posed the same question to him after Peter had denied Christ three times.

“Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?”

(“Lynn, do you truly love Me more than these?”)

“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”

(“Yes, Lord,” I said, “You know that I love You.”)

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?”

(Again Jesus said, “Lynn, do you truly love Me?”)

He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

(I 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?”

(The third time He said to me, “Lynn do you love Me?”)

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him a third time, “Do you love me?”  He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

(Lynn was hurt because Jesus asked her a third time, “Do you love Me?”  She said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love You.”)

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.”

There is no question that I love Jesus.  How can You ask me that question Lord?  Of course I love You…

but…….

Oh no!  There it is….there it is!  There’s that wicked three letter word!  Peter doesn’t voice it, I don’t voice it but our actions speak it loud and clear.

but……

Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them.  “Lord, what about him?”

(Lynn turned and saw the others whom Jesus loved, “Lord, what about them?”)

The heart gives us both away.

Jesus answered, “….what is that to you?  You must follow me.”  (John 21:15-23)

“If anyone wishes to come after me”, he said, “he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Lk. 9:23).