Title: Love of Jesus / John 21:15-17
Contents The love of Jesus / John 21:15-17
God is love. God created this world out of love. Because of His love, He sent Jesus to this earth for sinful mankind. Jesus is the one who showed us what love is. The 21st chapter of the Gospel of John, which contains today's text, is a verse that shows what love is.
First, love is finding first. After Jesus was resurrected, he found his disciples. Before the disciples looked for Jesus, Jesus sought them first. What kind of disciples did you find? He was looking for the disciples who had betrayed Jesus and left, especially Peter. You did not seek to reprove them. He was found because he loved his disciples. Do you know who wins in a couple fight? He's the one who wants to reconcile first. May you be the winner of love.
Second, love is not revealing the faults of the other person. Jesus did not rebuke Peter for denying Himself. The Proverbs says, “Hate stirs up stripe, but love covers all transgression” (Proverbs 10:12). Love is to cover faults. Jesus is not a follower. He did not ask the person who came to be cured of the disease, why he had the disease, or what sin he had committed. You fixed it first. Love is to cover faults.
Third, love does not discriminate between objects. Jesus asked Peter three times, “Do you love me?” And in response to Peter's answer, He said, "Feed my lambs," "Feed my sheep," and "Feed my sheep." Lamb is called ‘arnion’ in the original language. It refers to a newborn sheep. It refers to a person who is younger and of a lower level than oneself. The next one is called 'Provation', which refers to the amount in the growing phase. You can compare it to someone on the same level as you. Next is 'Provaton'. This is a mature sheep that has finished growing. You can compare it to someone who is of a higher level than you.
True love is to love those who are lower than you, love those who are similar to you, and love those who are higher than you. In addition, we do not discriminate based on gender, age, rank, rich or poor, or origin. Love doesn't matter. The Bible says, “If you love those who love you, what reward will you have” (Matthew 5:46). If you love only those who love you and only those close to you, it is not true love. The Bible even says to love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
Love is a verb, not a noun. It's not theory, it's life. Please live and practice the love of Jesus.