(Rather than write a post about my daughter on her birthday, I decided to let her write one. It reminds me of my Monday post. Could it be we both had the same Sunday service on our minds?)

How do we know we are loved?

We don't want people to merely say "I love you." That isn't good enough. We want to know deep within ourselves that that person does love us. We want to be shown love.

I know my parents love me because they provide for me and show me everyday they love me. God shows me everyday that He loves me through the blessings He gives. He answers my prayers. He helps me do things I never thought I could do.

We learn love from being loved. God loved us, so we can love other people. I show my love to my two younger siblings by letting them choose the games or the videos. With my parents, I try to do what they say.

How do you show you love other people? Who proves their love to you? How do they do it?

(Hmmm… She shows love to her brother and sister by not always pressing for her own way, and shows love to her father and me through obedience. There's some wisdom there, in how to show love to our brothers and sisters and to God our Father.)

Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these? John 21:15

This question, repeated 3 times, marks a critical moment in Peter's relationship with Jesus. Ashamed at his denial, tentative about taking on the ministry Jesus had for him, afraid of failing again, the last thing Peter wanted to do was answer this question in front of the other guys.

There are volumes of commentary on this exchange. Most agree that Peter's 3 denials warranted 3 public affirmations. There are several good insights as to what the "these" are that Christ refers to each time. However, without hearing the inflection in His voice or seeing His body language, we can't know for certain.

Context gives us a couple of possibilities, though.

Do you love Me more than the comfort of your routine?
Simon Peter had just spent the night fishing. Jesus instructed the disciples to go ahead to Galilee and He'd meet them there. With no sign of Jesus and not sure what to do next, Peter and the others fell back to what was safe and familiar.
Do I love Jesus enough to follow Him into situations that are stressful, or nerve-wracking? Am I willing to walk away from my perceived comfort zone?

Do You love Me more than these guys?
Peter had said, in no uncertain terms, that even if everyone else abandoned Jesus, he never would. Well, he did. Jesus allowed Peter to humiliate himself in front of his most intimate friends.
Do I love Jesus enough to respond in humility when He puts me through a fire or two? Even if my close friends see me fall?

Do you love Me?
Jesus always had a job for Peter, a ministry, a calling, a purpose. Peter's failure never forfeited that. In this moment, in this simple question, Jesus assured Peter, "I still want you. I still have a place for you. But I won't lie. It will be hard. It will stretch you beyond what you think you are capable of. Are you in?"

Lord, You know I love You.