I Love You, Jesus

"We love Him, because He first loved us." I John 4:19 NKJ

As I prepare to lead worship this weekend, I stand in awe of the Lord and His great love. I'm reminded of a season not too long ago that left me wondering if the Lord would ever grant this privilege again. I spent many nights before the Lord wondering and asking "What now?" Those were extremely dark days of uncertainty but the Lord was very present and as I pressed in to Him (Hosea 6:3), He drew closer to me and became even more real and evident in my life. I read 2 Samuel 22:29 this morning, "You are my lamp, O LORD; the LORD turns my darkness into light." Yes, He does!!

The song this weekend is one that allows us to tell the Lord how much we love Him. And just like the opening verse of this post, I'm reminded the only reason I can say 'I love You' to Him, the only reason I have the ability to love Him or anyone else is because He first loved me.

Day before yesterday, I read the 21st chapter of John that brings us into a conversation between Peter and Jesus after a fishing trip. The heading over verses 15-25 in my NIV bible is titled "Jesus Reinstates Peter" (my NKJ says, "Jesus Restores Peter"). This is that conversation you've read or heard where Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves Him, and Peter says You know I do. (It made me think of this song we're doing tomorrow.) The reason it's titled 'Jesus reinstates or restores Peter is because not too long before, Peter had denied he even knew Jesus...3 times. Peter had failed the Lord (and so have I). Listen to their conversation in the Amplified Bible:

"When they had eaten, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these [others do - with reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion, as one loves the Father]? He said to Him, Yes, Lord, You know that I love You [that I have deep, instinctive, personal affection for You, as for a close friend]. He said to him, Feed My lambs.

Again He said to him the second time, Simon, son of John, do you love Me [with reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion, as one loves the Father]? He said to Him, Yes, Lord, You know that I love You [that I have a deep, instinctive, personal affection for You, as for a close friend]. He said to him, Shepherd (tend) My sheep.

He said to him the third time, Simon, son of John, do you love Me [with a deep, instinctive, personal affection for Me, as for a close friend]? Peter was grieved (was saddened and hurt) that He should ask him the third time, Do you love Me? And he said to Him, Lord, You know everything; You know that I love You [that I have a deep, instinctive, personal affection for You, as for a close friend]. Jesus said to him, Feed My sheep."

The first two times Jesus asked Peter if he has 'agape' love for Him. This is "God love." It is the love of God or Christ for mankind. Peter responds with a less expressive word ('phileo' or brotherly love), not daring to claim a complete devotion (he had made other such claims and failed miserably). The third time Jesus asks if he even has the affection he claims and uses the 'phileo' love this time. Every time, Jesus says in short...if you love Me, feed My lambs or sheep (young believers). He is saying, I love you and I want you to pick yourself up and get on with tending to My sheep. Teach them what I am teaching you. Change your world! Spend yourself on others. I am restoring you, strengthening you, empowering you because I love mankind and I want you to love them and give yourself to them! Everything God does in my life and yours is testimony of His love for the world. It's all for something BIGGER and BEYOND me.

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him - but God has revealed it to us by His Spirit." (1 Cor. 2:9-10a)

Jesus is our Restorer and Rebuilder. He's an expert Craftsman Who continually extends grace to the repentant and offers another chance, and another and another.

"It is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose." Philippians 2:13

Do you love Him today? Do you really love Him? Then what are you doing about it?