How Do I Love?

Love is one of the most taught topics from the Bible. Love can be an action or a feeling. It can be personified. It is not exclusive to a particular profession. As minister Aaron Hill closes out his series on the gospel of John, he reflects on the conversation Jesus has with Peter as recorded in John 21. Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves Him, recalling the three times that Peter has recently denied Him. Peter replies each time that he does, and Jesus instructs him to love His sheep. Peter has failed Jesus by denying Him, but Jesus welcomes Peter back. Jesus reveals to Peter what his future will hold if he loves and cares for His sheep. Peter's love for Jesus and His sheep will take him to martyrdom, but Peter's love for Jesus' flock is different from what ours may be. One thing is sure. We cannot love Jesus and not love His sheep. Where will our love for Jesus and His sheep take us? We may stumble, but Jesus will take us back just as He took Peter back. We will not win the victory of faith on our own strength. We receive our sustenance from Jesus through whom is our victory.