“MORE THAN THESE?”

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 521

April 6, 2021///

This morning there is one part of one verse of scripture that I want to bring to your attention.  This is found in the first part of John 21:15.

The truths in the 21^st chapter of John are many and I am not going to address all that was going on or the entire conversation but want to zero in on this question Jesus ask Simon Peter!

John 21:15a (KJV)
So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?

This scripture has been taught with different views as to what Jesus meant by these.  Some say Jesus is asking if Peter Loves Him more than the other disciples. Others if Peter Loves Him more than his fishing business which he knows and is good at. And still others if Peter Loves Him more that the fish or the results and blessings of his talent as a fisherman.

I believe Jesus was probably addressing all of that and more!  His basic but deep question was:  Peter do you Love me more than anything else in your life?

Jesus saw great leadership and anointing in Peter but knew that to accomplish the plan God had for him, Peter must Love Jesus with all his mind, will and emotions and above everything else in his life!

I believe that Jesus is asking that same question to each of us today!  

(your name), do you Love me more than (_______)?

What thing, things, person, persons, situations, jobs, talents, abilities, relationships, hobbies, etc. do we put ahead of Jesus our Savior and Lord?

Consider your life.  What would be the most difficult to give up if you had to?  What is the thing or person (other than Jesus) that we depend on more than any other?

If this thing or person were taken away, would we waver in our Faith? Would we lash out at God and be angry and bitter, or would we understand that our most vital relationship in life, which is Jesus, can never be taken away?

Is there something or someone in your life that is more important and in our human thinking more vital to life than Jesus?  I tell you a million times over, when we put God first in our lives and Love Jesus above all, nothing that happens can destroy us!

In the story of the rich young ruler who came asking Jesus about eternal life, we find he went away sorrowful because Jesus was basically asking him if he wanted to find real life more than he wanted to hold on to his riches!

Think about what would make you sorrowful if Jesus asked you to give it up?

Do not misunderstand.  Father God, our Daddy God, wants to Bless us exceedingly, abundantly, above all we can ask and imagine in every way! But the key to that kind of Blessed life is to truly be willing to lay it all at His feet, to release all to His Lordship!

Matthew 6:33 (KJV)
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

He desires us to be willing to release to His Mighty Hands every person, talent, situation and need that are important to us!

When we realize that Jesus Loves us with a deep love we cannot understand, we can safely place our Trust and all we hold dear into His Hands.

One of the things I do in my prayer time is to release each of my family, naming them by name, to Jesus Lordship because I know that He Loves each of them so much more than I do!

The security and Peace that comes from being able to release people and situations and things into His capable Hands is a mighty awesome thing.

We have a Loving Heavenly Father who sees us and Loves us and desires the best for us, even so much that Jesus came and dwelt among us and showed us how to walk in complete submission and Trust and then paid the price for the sin of all!

Just as we desire good things for our children, God desires the best and better things for us.  Just as we ask of our children, He desires obedience and respect and Love!  His Heart wants to give us all things!

What is our part?

Mark 12:30 (KJV)
And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

“LOVEST THOU ME MORE THAN THESE?”

Father, thank you for your Love! Thank you that you desire to Bless us beyond measure! I ask that you give each of us, through the Power of your Spirit, the courage to understand that we can release all things and people to your Lordship and Trust that you do all things well.  I ask this in the matchless name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth!  Amen!

Love! MeMaw!