Do you love me more than these?
Are we willing to proclaim our love for the Lord?
One might imagine that, once Jesus has revealed his risen self to Thomas and the others in the upper room, the disciples would feel compelled to rush out and proclaim this good news. Yet the very next chapter in John’s Gospel finds them fishing, of all things – returning to the familiar, they fall back on what they know. But Jesus once again seizes this moment as an opportunity for revelation, appearing to them on the shore and encouraging them to cast the net yet again, though they have not caught anything all night. The abundance of fish that they pull in this time is a manifestation of the extraordinary love the Lord has for them. Once they have finished eating breakfast together, Jesus engages Peter, allowing him fully three times to affirm his love for Jesus: Simon, son of John, do you love me? Jesus asks. How else will Peter, who denied Jesus three times, come to understand that Christ came for repentance and forgiveness, if not by having the opportunity to say, without hesitation, Yes, Lord, you know that I love you? Yet Jesus also tells him that one day, Peter will be led where he does not want to go. The Lord will lead all of the disciples where they do not want to go; his intent, first and foremost, is that they proclaim the good news of his death and resurrection, no matter where it might lead. Their purpose in life now is defined by his call to give testimony to the good news of salvation.
By the time the apostles are brought to trial before the Sanhedrin, in Acts of the Apostles, they are absolutely committed to teaching in Jesus’ name, proclaiming to all that God exalted Jesus at his right hand to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins. Indeed, they rejoice that they have been found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name. It is an invitation open even to the Sanhedrin, to whom repentance and forgiveness of sins is also extended. Eventually, the apostles will give witness to their faith with their blood, martyred for the sake of his name.
We too look forward to heaven and our own eternal life in Christ, a union we hope for, and the opportunity to join our voices to the voices of the many angels who cry out in the Book of Revelation, praising God with one voice, for Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive honor and glory and blessing. We, too, will sing praise to the Lord, as does the psalmist in Psalm 30, and we will give thanks to his holy name. But first we must answer – not once but daily – the very same question Jesus asks Peter – do you love me? – with clear awareness of all that that love means for us, ever striving to live for the sake of his name, and his love.
This post is based on Fr. Pat’s Scripture class.
Image source: www.wordclouds.com
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