Simon, Do You Love Me?

Hi, friend in Christ!

Happy Valentine’s Day! On this special day, couples express their love with chocolate, flowers, romantic dinners, and weekend getaways. Ah, love! I do not need to tell you how wonderful it is to love and be loved. I pray you are adored, appreciated, and cared for not only on Valentine’s Day but every day.

How do your spouse, children, friends, or family know you love them? Do you express love with words? Maybe you show love through acts of service, such as cooking a favorite meal or surprising them with a special gift. Do you cherish quality time? Or perhaps you show kindness and gentleness to comfort them.

If you have read the popular book The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman, these expressions of love may sound familiar. That book once occupied space on my bookshelf and was a valuable read. It is a guide for couples who want to love their partners better. The book of John offers a Christian perspective on love, specifically on how to express our love for Jesus.

In John 21:16, Jesus asks, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” The conversation continues as Peter acknowledges his love for the Messiah and receives an assignment to shepherd and tend sheep. The question is, who are Jesus’ sheep?

One possible answer is found in Matthew 25:37-40. The verses read, “Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? And when did we see You a stranger and invite You in, or naked and clothe You? When did we see You sick or in prison and come to You?’ The king will answer and say to them, “Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.”

Another possible answer to the question of which sheep Peter agreed to tend lies in his actions. Fifty days after Jesus’ resurrection, Peter preached his first sermon in Jerusalem (Acts 2). He dedicated his life to shepherding the flock, as he had promised, preaching, performing miracles, healing, and sharing the gospel. 

Peter loved Jesus and obediently shepherded His flock. Tending Jesus’ sheep is not only Peter’s responsibility; we are called to do likewise. So, the same question applies to us: Do you love Jesus?

We may not preach or plant churches like Peter, but here are three ways for you and me to express our love for Christ by caring for His sheep:

1. Include the most vulnerable—widows, orphans, the unhoused, those battling mental illness, and others in need—in your prayers, as Galatians 6:2 instructs: “Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.”

2. Remind those in your life of the ultimate demonstration of love shown by Jesus to those who put their faith and trust in Him. Romans 5:8 reads, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet still sinners, Christ died for us.”

3. Share the gospel and invite them to join you in church fellowship to praise, worship, and hear the preached word. Romans 10:17 says, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

During His ministry, Jesus served, healed, and ministered. As you celebrate loved ones this Valentine’s Day, extend your heart to ‘the least of these’ and follow Jesus’ example of love and compassion.

What I am reading:

Barnabas vs. Paul by C.K. Robertson. The introduction lays the foundation for this book, “In many ways, Barnabas is the bridge that takes us from Peter to Paul, from the shadow of the temple to the ends of the earth.” Whew! This promises to be a fantastic read! 

Notable Quote:

“It’s hard to draw people to Jesus using language they don’t understand.”

Thanks to my YouTube algorithm, the March 17, 2019, sermon You Must Be Born Again by Rev. Dr. Howard-John Wesley popped up on my feed. The pastor started the sermon discussing the book Speaking Christian by Marcus Borg. This notable quote reminds me to choose my words carefully when evangelizing, because not everyone is aware of the words, phrases, and scriptures that Christians hear and say every Sunday.

Just for fun:

Check out this Valentine’s video I posted from February 2023.
https://youtu.be/YiE0jWco7QQ?si=668kQwdqdR7-Z4P-

May God keep you and bless you,
Tika