At the end of last weekend I endeavored to check an important item off of my “To Do” list at home… that was updating our Last Will & Testament. It had been several years since we had last officially visited the topic.
I used a standard template to formulate responses to the questions that needed to be answered to appropriately construct this document. As I did, my mind raced to an “end of life” perspective; and more specifically, the questions that Jesus asked to make certain that His closest followers were ready for their final charge.
This took me to the end of the Gospels where we encounter Jesus in a profound and significant exchange with Peter…
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” ~ John 21:15 (ESV)
Stunning.
“Do you love me?”… and not just once, but three times.
At one of the most important moments in the ministry transition of Jesus, the question wasn’t:
“Are you ready?”
“Do you remember what I told you?”
“Have you practiced?”
“How big is your faith?”
“Are you convinced?”
“Do you feel equipped?”
… none of this, but all of this… “Do you love me?”
Courage, resolve, sacrifice, and hope would find a propelling and galvanizing strength in love. And so Jesus made this the question for Peter. His question for restoration and commissioning… the fuel for missional resolve… His launch pad.
Does the name of Jesus stir me? Does it evoke emotion? Does it move me to humble myself, to sacrifice, to proclaim, to worship… to love?
In the final moments of Jesus’ ministry on planet earth, a question that echoes through the ages… all the way to the depth of my soul.
Do I?
Do I love Him?
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