August 26th

Who Do You Love?

Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.' This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, Follow Me.' John 21:18-19

What if Jesus appeared to you right now and told you that you were going to be martyred for Him? Would that change your love for Him?

That's the test that Peter faced in our verses today. Jesus directly told him that he would one day be crucified as a martyr for Him, but called him nonetheless to follow. How would you respond to this?

Peter's response was to look over his shoulder at John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, the one who had leaned upon Jesus' breast at the Last Supper. And, looking at John, Peter said, What about that guy?

Like Peter, we are constantly comparing ourselves to others, justifying ourselves based on how they're living. We look to see how fervently they love Jesus, and then adjust our love level to match theirs. We watch for how passionately and zealously the people around us serve the Lord, how much of themselves they give to Him, and what areas of their lives they withhold from Him.

But Jesus isn't looking at them right now. He's looking at you.

Can you hear Him today? Can you hear Him asking you, Will you follow Me no matter what? Will you give Me all of your life today? Will you live your life based on what I say and what I am asking of you instead of on what other people do for Me?

This is exactly what Jesus said to Peter. He said, What about that guy? I'm talking to you. Will you follow me, no matter where I lead you?

It all comes down to a personal relationship with Jesus. It doesn't matter what everyone else is doing, what are you doing? Do you have that personal relationship of compassion, connection, and commitment in letting God find you, call you, help you, feed you, serve you, and love you?

Will you follow God, no matter where He leads you?

Prayer Lord Jesus,

I confess that I might not like all the places You lead me, but I love You more than that. So I choose today to follow You and let You lead me and love me, no matter where that takes us.

Amen