Jesus is asking you, “Do you love me?” Do you just reply - of
course I do! Or do you answer, yes, Lord, did I not serve you
today?
Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love me?” Peter answered, “Yes,
Lord.” Jesus replied “Feed my people.” This was
repeated twice more so that Peter was sure to get the
message. The action feed is really meant to care for His
flock by protecting, feeding, instructing, helping, and loving.
Jesus is not asking a rhetorical question. He is asking you
to show me that you love me. There is a popular song Show Me
lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner
Words! Words! I'm so sick of
words!
I get words all day through;
First from him, now from
you! Is that all you blighters can do?
Don't talk of stars Burning
above; If you're in love,
Show me! Tell me no dreams
Filled with desire. If
you're on fire,
Show me! Here we are
together in the middle of the night!
Don't talk of spring! Just
hold me tight!
Anyone who's ever been in
love'll tell you that
This is no time for a chat!
Haven't your lips
Longed for my touch? Don't
say how much,
Show me! Show me! Don't talk
of love lasting through time.
Make me no undying vow. Show
me now!
Sing me no song! Read me no
rhyme!
Don't waste my time, Show
me!
Don't talk of June, Don't
talk of fall!
Don't talk at all! Show me!
Never do I ever want to hear
another word.
There isn't one I haven't
heard.
Here we are together in what
ought to be a dream;
Day one more word and I'll
scream!
Haven't your arms Hungered
for mine?
Please don't "expl'ine,"
Show me! Show me!
Don't wait until wrinkles
and lines
Pop out all over my brow,
Show me now!
Jesus is pleading with you – Show me! Remember the greatest
commandment. 'And you shall love the Lord your God with all
your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all
your strength.' Mark 12:30.
Love is not a noun it is an action verb. If you truly love
someone, you totally commit yourself to pleasing and doing everything
for that person. Just remember all the great love stories
ever written. What was happening? All efforts,
desires, etc. were directed to the one loved.
Jesus wants us to act as we love Him, not with our minds, but with our
hearts. How do we do this? We must think of a
little child – one that is one or two years old. Now think
seriously:
1. What can the child truly do for himself? Can he
dress himself? Can he make his own food? Can he go
anywhere by himself? Can he earn his own living?
2. Who does he trust? Who is he happy
with? Who does he love? Who does he expect to
provide what he needs?
3. What does he fear? What does he have to give?
Well, my brothers and sisters in Christ, to the Father you are just
such a child. Without Him you are just as helpless.
Without His gift of health, time, abilities, and most important love,
you are just a little baby.
Matthew 18:3 and
said, "Truly, I say to you, unless
you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of
heaven.”
Luke 10: 21 In
that same hour he rejoiced in the
Holy Spirit and said, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and
revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your
gracious will.
Luke 18:15-17 Now
they were bringing even infants to
him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they
rebuked them. But Jesus called them to him, saying, "Let the
children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the
kingdom of God. (Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the
kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it."
Will you now open your hearts, you very small child of God, and start
to love, depend, trust, and follow Him? Don't be like the
youngster that keeps saying, “I can do it myself”. You really
can't. God is willing to care for you totally. Just
like the little tot that totally depends on his parent.
Pray that you will allow yourself to be cared for. That is so
hard. We hate to receive charity or to be babied.
But that is what God is waiting for. Jesus has told us that
God cares for all His creation and aren't you worth more the the birds
in the air? He even knows the number of hairs on your
head! You don't even know that unless you are bald.
He has told us that yesterday is past and can't be changed, tomorrow
might not come, so make the most of today. That there is
nothing that you can do to add a day to your life.
What stands in the way of placing God first, last and always in your
life? Your family? Your Job? Your
sports? God wants us to be in the world with family, work,
and enjoyment, but to keep Him above all. Will you start your
day with Him? Asking in prayer to keep your eyes, ears, and
heart open to seeing Him. Will you end your day with evening
prayers prepared to answer His question “What did you do for me
today?” Remember, God wants us to be fruitful – to do His
will here on Earth in His kingdom.
