Do You Love Me?

The morning fog hung over the Tiberius Sea. Sparkles of lights were caught in the moist air and gave the morning a sort of brilliance. In the midst of the fog could be seen a tiny shipping vessel with seven men slowly lowering their nets once more into the chilly water. There was an uneasy air of expectation this morning, almost as if the men were waiting for something, but they had no idea what it could be. From the ship they noticed the silhouette of a man standing on the shore. Nothing unusual there, probably just going for a morning walk on the beach. "Children, have you any meat?" his voice broke through the morning stillness. "No," Thomas called back disappontedly. "Cast your net on the right side of the ship and you will find." The figure replied. These words, said in a harmless manner, somehow cut into the fishermen's hearts. Something about these words entinsified the sad, lonely burning in their souls. But what harm could it bring? As they let their nets sink into the clear water, the nets soon filled with multitudes of fish. John stood up slowly and turned to look again at the figure on the shore. His eyes filled with tears as recognition clouded his vision. "It's the Lord," he whispered to Peter. At these words, Peter's heart sprang in his chest and he strained to see better through the fog. He knew John was right. How could this be? Their Lord was crucified just a short time ago. They watched him die. Even though He appeared to them before, each time felt like the first. They hungered to have Him with them again. Peter gathered his cloak, and jumped into the cold sea. As he stumbled onto the shore, he saw his Lord sitting by a fire, with fish and bread. As Peter and his friends sat quietly amazed at the presence of their Lord, He stooped to serve them. They ate together once again. Joyfully reunited with their Shepherd. After dinner as the disciples sat around musing at their evening, Jesus took Peter aside. As they sat apart from the others, Jesus looked at Peter. "Simon," he began, "Do you love me more than these?"

This simple question challenged Peter two thousand years ago. Christ did not only ask him that once, But He asked him three times of his love for Him. each time Peter answered, "Yes Lord, you know I do." And after each answer Christ would command him to feed his sheep. Why though? What did all of this mean? Peter had committed himself to following Christ, no matter what the cost. However, when trouble came, and he was in danger, Peter denied even knowing the Lord. I believe here, Christ is asking Peter to reaffirm his committment to the call. Christ asks Peter to confirm his love above all else and commands him to feed His sheep. After Peter repeatedly affirms his love and devotion, Christ shows him what the end result will be. He shows Peter that his devotion will cost him his very life. What Peter was so scared of before, he is now faced with again, but this time his fate is certain. Christ doesn't hide anything from Peter, but reveals to him to the sacrifice he will have to pay if he is to be His disciple. Peter listens intently. And after it all, Christ looks at Peter and says, "Follow me." Peter had been asked this once before, three years ago by this same man. And three years ago Peter followed. But his discipleship had been tainted by fear and denial. And now he is faced with the same invitation. "Follow me." Christ has now made it clear that this time, there is no going back. He must follow to the death. Peter knows now. He has seen the love, devotion, and sacrifice of Christ. And he has a choice to make. And as he thought about it, he finally considered his life nothing compared to the knowledge of Christ. He confirmed his answer of John 6:68. Christ asked, "Will you also leave?" And Peter answered, "Lord, to whom should we go? You have the words of eternal life." And he followed. He followed to death.

Today we are faced with the same invitation. Like Peter, now we know what the cost will be. And still Christ stands and holds the invitation to us in Revelation 22: 17. "Come. And let him who is athirst, come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." And again in Luke, the call is to us: " If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall find it." What will our response be, that of those in John who said, "This is a hard teaching, who can accept it?" or that of Peter who said, " Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life."