“Do You Truly Love Me?”

“I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered.  

He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.  John 21:3-9 

Jesus has risen. He has appeared a third time to His disciples by the sea of Tiberias. Simon Peter told several disciples that he was going out to fish, not that he was forsaking his commitment to Christ, but that fishing was necessary for these men as they still had to provide food for their families. Unfortunately, they caught nothing after fishing all night.

Can you imagine how defeated the disciples felt after not catching any fish? Jesus told them to throw their net on the right side of the boat. These were experienced fishermen, and a stranger boldly told them to throw their net on the right side of the boat, saying, “You will find some.” Do you remember this is how Jesus called Simon Peter, James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, as His disciples three years before? Luke 5:1-11

Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.  John 21:10-14 

Stop now and ask the Holy Spirit to open your spiritual eyes and soften your heart to receive His message for you today.

The disciples obeyed their Lord. Look at how the Lord blessed them for their obedience. Ask the Holy Spirit daily to be with you, guiding you, directing your every step, and showing you which way to go. Seek the Lord for His wisdom, knowledge, understanding, and discernment.

Do you recognize the soft voice of the Lord when He is speaking to you?

Today, examine your heart and decide if you are willing to love and obey your Lord despite your present marriage circumstances!

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.” John 21:15-17

Do you think it was a coincidence that Jesus asked Peter three times, “Do you truly love me?” Remember, Peter had denied knowing Jesus three times before He was crucified, so Jesus was questioning Peter’s commitment and devotion.

Jesus asked Peter “Do you truly love me more than these?” Have you ever rejected or denied your Lord? You may be thinking, “I would never disown my Lord!” I believe that you and I have disowned our Lord more times than we want to admit.

I disowned the Lord when I did not go to Him asking Him for His will for my marriage. I went to everyone else, asking for their opinions and advice, and I then did what they said instead of seeking my Lord’s perfect will.

Are you listening to the Holy Spirit today? Is He asking you, “How much do you love me?” I know that your Lord God wants you to love Him more than your spouse, children, grandchildren, career, money, possessions, and the restoration of your marriage.

God is a jealous God. The Lord wants to be first in your life. He wants you to grow in the Lord, radiating the power of the Holy Spirit in your life. The Lord wants to heal you of your wounded, bleeding, broken heart.

“Do you truly love me?” Is your love conditional upon what you want the Lord to do for you? What is your answer? Think about it and ask the Lord to reveal the truth about your heart.

Will you start “feeding other sheep” around you who need to hear the Lord’s message of love, hope, salvation, deliverance, and marriage restoration? The Lord will equip you each day for what He wants you to do. Will you allow the Lord to use you today despite what is happening in your marriage or in your spouse’s life?

Allow the Holy Spirit to heal and restore your life today. You don’t have to wait for your spouse to come home to begin. Follow the Lord and serve Him now!

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” John 21:15 

God loves you so much that He sent His only Son to die for you! You are loved! Now go share God’s amazing love every day to others around you!

God bless,