John chapter 21 beginning in verse one is where I want to focus today. On the heels of Valentine's Day, I believe it is important to reflect on the one question that the Lord would ask all of us today. "Do you love Me?" Now, at first, we are quick to respond, "YES, LORD! I DO LOVE YOU!" A most natural reaction to such a question. But what about the rest of the question? "Do you love Me more than these?" These what? Well, in our text today, we see Jesus is referring to something specific when He asks Peter that question. The fish they just caught and ate for breakfast. But, is that what Jesus was really referring to? Not when you explore and dissect the passage of scripture laid out before us. Obviously, Jesus is talking about the fish, but more than that, He is talking about the pleasures and necessities in life. Food, water, clothing, money, security, shelter. All of those things are things we need, but what about the pleasures of this life? Pay raises, promotions, cars, houses, computers, cell phones? What about this? What about recognition? Acknowledgement? Acceptance? Praise from other men? Favor?
What about things in this life that we deem necessary, but in reality, they are superficial? We all want to be recognized by our employer on the job. We all want that pat on the back from a co-worker or a supervisor or manager telling us, "Well done!" "Good job!" We all anticipate such recognition when we do a good job at work. Our kids long for such recognition when they get good grades in school. But are they so necessary that we have made them a need instead of a bonus, which is what they truly are? We all long for a raise in pay on the job so we can better provide for our families. But is that the true mentality we have when we long for them? Or do we long for them so we can buy that fancy fishing pole we've seen in the store window? Do we long for a raise so we can take that tropical vacation we've been dreaming about? Do we long for a raise so we can buy that fancy sports car we've always had our eye on? Or do we truly long for a raise so we can handle our bills and expenses better than we are now?
Most people I encounter every day long for more money and it is their opinion that the only way to get the money they want is to play the lottery. They spend outrageous amounts of money just to improve their chances of hitting the jackpot. I saw one man, an elderly man, spend over $300 on lottery scratch off tickets and won nothing! Paid cash! All large bills! And hit nothing. Imagine what that money could have been used for instead? It could have gone towards groceries, gas, bills. And if all those things were met and paid, then the money could've gone towards savings. But lottery tickets? Tickets that proved to be worthless? That was a waste! And that poor man, deluded by greed and living the lifestyles of the rich and famous, lost that money. Blew it all on gambling. Prodigal living is what the scriptures would call that. And yet so many people are of the same persuasion. They buy and buy and buy lottery ticket after lottery ticket after lottery ticket. HOPING for that big, big winner. Only to have their hopes DASHED by reality. The reality of gambling. The reality that the odds are way too high against you to win! And sadly, people either don't see that or they don't care. They're too desperate for a better life than what they have now! Even millionaires and billionaires are playing these lottery games hoping for that big win! The LOVE of money is the root of ALL evil! And gambling IS evil! So, my question to you is the same as in our text today, "Do you love Jesus MORE than these?"
John 21:1-17,
1 After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way, He showed Himself:
2 Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together.
3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We are going with you also.” They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing.
4 But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.
5 Then Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?” They answered Him, “No.”
6 And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So, they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish.
7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it) and plunged into the sea.
8 But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from land, but about two hundred cubits), dragging the net with fish.
9 Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread.
10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.”
11 Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not broken.
12 Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast.” Yet none of the disciples dared ask Him, “Who are You?”—knowing that it was the Lord.
13 Jesus then came and took the bread and gave it to them, and likewise the fish.
14 This is now the third time Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the dead.
15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.”
16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.”
17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep."
Father, bless this reading of Your Holy Scriptures and the teachings thereof. Let every heart and every mind be renewed with the promises of Almighty God today through the Blood of the Lamb of God that was slain for the sins of the world. It is in the mighty Name of Jesus that we pray and ask this of You in faith believing and expecting. Let all of God's people say "AMEN!"
Peter has denied Christ, as the Lord prophesied, 3 times now when they seized Him. And the reality and the guilt, the shame, the horror of that sin was well apparent to Peter by now. Peter was convinced that he was finished. That he had condemned himself to hell. He was convinced that there was no going back or even moving forward from that dark moment in his life. Peter was, for all intents and purposes, a self-condemned man. And that's what would have kept him in bondage had the Lord not intervened. You must understand, it is not the sin itself that keeps you in bondage. It is the guilt, the shame, and the remorse we feel for that sin in our lives that keeps us in bondage! It is the belief that we have done too much wrong in our lives to ever have any hope in salvation. We have convinced ourselves that it is too late for us. That there is no going back, no turning around, no redemption for our past deeds, but that is a lie straight from the very mouth of hell! As long as Jesus lives, THERE IS HOPE!!!
But Peter, see he didn't just convince himself, he DECEIVED himself into believing that it was too late for him. But Jesus knew otherwise. But I love the question Jesus asked him the first time, "Do you love Me MORE than these?" These what? The fish? The provisions? The boat he caught these fish in? Yes to all, but no to all as well. Why? Because where we see what is right in front of us which is the fish, God sees everything that we will ever have! He sees the car you drive, He sees the house you buy, He sees the job you get, He sees the food you buy, He sees the clothes you purchase, He even sees those dreaded lottery tickets you bought! And yet, He simply asks, "Do you love Me MORE than these?"
Do you love Me more than the sight I gave you? Do you love Me more than the withered hand I restored? Do you love Me more than the child I just set free from demons who wanted to kill him?! Do you love Me more than the daughter I raised back to life for you, Jarius? Do you love Me more than the child who couldn't walk or talk and now is leaping and laughing and praising Me? Do you love Me more than the brother I rose from the dead for you, Mary and Martha? Do you love Me more than the freedom from demon possession I just freed you from? Do you love Me more than healing I gave you? Do you love Me more than the deliverance I just gave you? Do you love Me more than the house you just bought? Do you love Me more than the car you drive? Do you love Me more than the job I gave you? Do you love Me more than the spouse and the children I gave you? Do you love Me more than the long-awaited son I promised you, Abraham, and then asked you to sacrifice to Me on Mt. Carmel? Do you love Me more than favor I gave you on your job? Do you love Me more than the family I gave you? Do you love Me more than the fancy handbag you just bought at Macy's? Do you love Me more than the million-dollar house I gave you? Do you love Me more than the fancy diamond ring your husband gave you when he asked you to marry him? Do you love Me more than the fancy sports car I opened the door for you to get? DO YOU LOVE ME MORE..... THAN THESE?
So many times, we see people receive blessings of prosperity. Blessings of wealth, increase in income, businesses started, financial increase. And some of us feel excluded from those blessings. Some of us wish it was us getting all that increase. Some of us, regrettably, feel envious or jealous of those people because they are getting those blessings and we're not. That is a demonic influence trying to deceive us. Too many times I've seen and heard pastors in the pulpits talk about financial prosperity for the people of God. And, most times, they all say the same thing, "If you're not growing financially, something's wrong with you." I tell you, I want to run up to that pulpit and rebuke those pastors for saying that! Why? Because there is nothing in the Bible that condemns those who are not rich. There's nothing in the Bible that says ALL of God's people are to be rich in finances.
In fact, Jesus said it Himself in Matthew chapter 5:3-10,
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the [a]earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
"Blessed are the poor, blessed are they who mourn, blessed are the meek, blessed are they who hunger and thirst, blessed are the merciful, blessed are the pure in heart, blessed are the peacemakers, blessed are they who are persecuted." None of those suggest a rich or wealthy man or woman in the means of finances. In fact, they all seem to suggest those who are poor. Yet humble. Humility is the common trait among all these people the Lord mentions in the beatitudes, isn't it?
Remember the encounter Jesus had with the rich man? Matthew 19:16-24, the Word of God says,
16 Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?”
17 So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”
18 He said to Him, “Which ones?” Jesus said, “‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’
19 ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ”
20 The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?”
21 Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”
22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
23 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.
24 And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
Now, Jesus isn't saying that no rich man can enter the Kingdom. He does say it is hard. But not impossible. What does that mean? That means those who are rich and fill themselves with pride and contentment over their wealth and riches will find it hard to enter Heaven because they love their wealth so much. Most people today who are successful, who have a vast amount of wealth to their name and have all the luxuries this life has to offer, will find it extremely difficult to part with that wealth for any reason. They have allowed their success in life to become their altar. Their shrine. Their wealth is their pulpit in life. It is sacred to them. It is symbolic to them of success and prosperity. And that's where we get things all twisted up and messed up, confusing ourselves to believe what the Scriptures clearly do not say.
Yes, the Bible does say in 3 John, " Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health." But that's not the WHOLE story. We tend to stop right there and interpret that as to mean financial wealth. But listen to ALL of this passage, "Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in ALL things (not just money and wealth) and be in health, just as your soul prospers. For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth."
"I pray that you may prosper in ALL things AND...BE...IN...HEALTH, just as YOUR SOUL prospers." Your soul does NOT prosper just because you have a lot of money! Your soul does NOT prosper just because you win the Powerball jackpot! Your soul does NOT prosper just because you come into a fortune! Your soul ONLY prospers through the Word. Your soul DOES NOT feed and grow on ANYTHING OTHER THAN the Word of God! Anything else will cause your soul to dry up and whither. Even the riches of this world. But ONLY if the Word of God is not in your life! That's how Abraham became so wealthy and prospered as his soul prospered. Even though he had great wealth of livestock and herds, his soul only prospered when he obeyed the Word of God. Abraham's soul only prospered when he heard the Word of God, learned it, followed it, obeyed it, and applied it to his life. If you do not allow the Word of God to take root in your life, your soul will wither up and die of malnutrition! What malnutrition? The lack of the Bread of Life in your life. The true Manna from Heaven. "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by EVERY word that comes from the mouth of God!" Do you love Him more than these?
When Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him and Peter said, "Yes, Lord! You know that I love You." Jesus told him, "Feed My lambs. Feed My sheep. Take care of My lambs. Take care of My sheep." How was Peter supposed to feed His lambs and His sheep? How was he supposed to take care of them? The way he did on the Day of Pentecost where 3,000 souls came to Christ. By feeding them the Word of the Living God! Do you love Him more than these?
How many times has God blessed you with a raise or a promotion on the job? How many of you has God blessed with a new home? A family? A car? Favor on the job? Food on the table? Clothes on your back? Do you love Him more than these? How many of you have been blessed with luxurious things? Things like jewelry, money, fancy clothes, fancy cars, fancy homes, fancy this, fancy that? Do you love Him more than these?
How many of you have been blessed by God with healing and deliverance in your life? Healing of diabetes? Healing of cancer? Healing of a broken heart? Healing of heart disease? Deliverance from drugs, from alcohol, from pornography, lust, greed, depression? DO...YOU...LOVE...HIM...MORE...THAN...THESE?
Look at the woman who had the issue of blood. Luke 8:43-48,
43 Now a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any,
44 came from behind and touched the border of His garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped.
45 And Jesus said, “Who touched Me?” When all denied it, Peter and those with him said, “Master, the multitudes throng and press You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?”
46 But Jesus said, “Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me.”
47 Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before Him, she declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately.
48 And He said to her, “Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”
She had the faith to reach out to Jesus for her healing! But she allowed fear and shame to overtake her and doubt she was healed. Because in those days, to have such a condition would render you "unclean" and you were not allowed to touch anyone! Let alone be in a crowd full of people! No. You were ordered by the law of the land to remain in quarantine. Not even the doctor who treated you was allowed to touch you or have any physical contact with you. He couldn't even come into your house without himself being declared unclean! At best, the doctor would have to talk to you, from a distance, at your window or your door. And all you could do was describe your symptoms! He couldn't even examine you! It was forbidden by law! No wonder she was never made well! How could she with such a law in place?
But something rose up in her when she heard the Lord was coming. Something rose up in her that gave her the courage to step out in faith, press through the crowd and reach out to the Master! No doubt, she covered herself so no one would recognize her and call her out in front of everyone. So, she covered herself, pushed through the crowd, not letting anything or anyone stop her! And she reached out and touched the hem of His garment. All the while, saying to herself, "If I could just touch a piece of His clothes, I will be healed!" She knew all it would take was just a touch of the Lord to set her free! She knew all it would take was but one simple touch of His garment to heal her of her affliction. She never anticipated Jesus would know when she touched Him! She never expected to be exposed to the world for what she just did! And yet, the Master stops! Turns to the crowd. And asks, "Who...touched...Me?"
Believing she would be rejected, ridiculed and rebuked, she hid herself. But the Bibles says she saw that she was NO LONGER hidden. Which means she was hidden at first, but not to the Lord. Why did Jesus put her through that?! To show the people that this woman was no longer un...clean! But is now clean. And not only is she clean! She is now made whole! Somebody praise the Lord for that where you are! Jesus told her, "Daughter, your...FAITH...has made you whole! Go in peace." Why was that necessary? Because the law required her to show herself to the chief priests and elders show she may be declared clean. No doubt, the chief priests and elders were there in the crowd because the Bible constantly tells us where the people who followed Jesus were, they were there also. But little did the woman or the religious leaders realize that they were in the presence of THE HIGH PRIEST! Little did they know that THE SUPREME Chief Priest was there to declare her clean!
Now imagine you were that woman. Imagine you were in her position and had an unclean ailment that plagued you for 12 years as this plague did to this woman. My question to you is, do you love Him more than the healing He just gave you? Do you love Him more than these?
Now, how about an even more fitting account of our theme today? What about the ten lepers?
Luke 17:11-19,
11 And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.
12 And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:
13 And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.
14 And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.
15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,
16 And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.
17 And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?
18 There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.
19 And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.
Do you love Me more than these? Ten were cleansed, but only one came back and praised God for his miracle. Our question today can easily be asked of the other nine who were cleansed. Do you love Jesus more than your healing? Don't get me wrong, the other nine remained cleansed. There's no indication in Scripture that were not. However, ONLY the one who came back was declared WHOLE by the Lord. The other nine were not made whole, just cleansed. Do you love Him MORE than these?
Do you love Jesus more than your spouse? Do you love Him more than you love your children? Do you love Him more than your parents? Do you love Him more than you love your family? Matthew 10:37-39,
37 He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.
38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.
39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.
Do you love Him more than these?
