“Lovest Thou Me?”

“Know therefore that the Lord thy God, He is God, the Faithful God, which keepeth Covenant and Mercy with them that Love Him and keep His commandments to a thousand generations;”   Deut. 7:9

We hear these words from God as He speaks to Abraham: “Take now thy son, thy only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon the mountain I tell thee.” We hear Mary and Martha saying, unto the “Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick,” and finally we hear the Words of Jesus as the Resurrected Savior speaking to Peter as the disciples set around the fire: “Lovest Thou Me? Three times Jesus asks this question of Peter. Perhaps it was necessary for He had told His Disciples many times what was going to happen concerning Himself, and yet, they did not discern His hour of suffering and Resurrection. In this Valentine Season, a season of love, we hear Jesus Words once more – “Lovest Thou Me?” There is so much to be said about Love in Scripture. Let us pause for a moment and look at 1 John 4:8-11 – “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is Love. In this was manifested the Love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. Herein is Love, not that we loved God, but that He Loved us, and sent Jis Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so Loved us, we ought also to Love one another.” There is often Sacrifice in True Love! Can I say that again? There is often Sacrifice in True Love! Our society today is full of love – love of the things of this world, lustful love, love for power and praise! The heart of God is still calling for pure Love, as in the moment He spoke to Peter: “Lovest Thou Me?” Sacrifice is involved, as in God’s offering of Jesus; Consider the painful sensation in the heart of Abraham when God said to him, offer thy son for a burnt offering. Let us recognize afresh the desire in God’s heart for our Love. His desire is not just for words, but action, as we see the day of Jesus return approaching. The call is still going forth; “Come and Dine!” Sit at the table with the Lord, make room for Him in our daily routine, muse upon His Goodness, consider Eternal Life, meditate upon the Holy Ghost which came to comfort us, guide us, and reveal the power of God’s Love and Presence to us! A part of Loving God is Loving our neighbor! Know I sincerely love every one of you and as we worship Him, may His power be revealed to us afresh!  Love, Pastor