Love Goes Around
I read John 21:15 ("Peter, do you love me more than these?"), and asked myself if I love Jesus more than these. Honestly, it's the "more than these" part of the question that I had trouble giving the "yes" answer to. I was comparing my very imperfect human love to God's infinitely perfect love. My worst, to God's best. Of course I fall short. Who wouldn't?
The question being asked of Peter is not "Peter, do you love me perfectly?" ... it's "Peter do you love me?" The difficulty for me is if I can't respond to Jesus with "enough" love, (with "enough" being measured by my standard), how can my life please him enough?
I am reminded of the parable of the talents. The first servant invested what was given to him, and made a huge profit. The second invested, and made a more modest profit. Both servants received the same affirmation from the master: "Well done, good and faithful servant." The praise was not for having a huge profit; nor was it for even a modest profit. It was for doing SOMETHING with what was given. "Enough" was determined by the master, not by the servant.
The question being asked of Peter is not "Peter, do you love me perfectly?" ... it's "Peter do you love me?" The difficulty for me is if I can't respond to Jesus with "enough" love, (with "enough" being measured by my standard), how can my life please him enough?
I am reminded of the parable of the talents. The first servant invested what was given to him, and made a huge profit. The second invested, and made a more modest profit. Both servants received the same affirmation from the master: "Well done, good and faithful servant." The praise was not for having a huge profit; nor was it for even a modest profit. It was for doing SOMETHING with what was given. "Enough" was determined by the master, not by the servant.
