Because You Love Me: What We Say vs. What We Show
The new minister of a small-town church was calling upon several homes in an effort to secure more members for his congregation. In one home where the husband was absent, the preacher asked, "What makes you think your husband is so religious?" "Well," she replied, "I know he loves his enemies." "That's fine. What enemies does he have?" "Oh, his worst ones are whiskey and wild women."
The reality is, there is a difference between what we say we value and what we value as revealed by the way we conduct ourselves. There is a difference between words and conduct. This was a lesson that Christ conveyed to his disciples in a very emphatic way. In the gospel of John, chapter twenty-one, Jesus is standing on the shore while the disciples attend to fishing. I suspect it was not the most joyous of fishing trips. After all, their Savior, Lord, and Messiah had been crucified and laid in a tomb. Afterward, they had seen the resurrected Savior and dwelled in his glorious presence. Afterward, they saw him ascend back to heaven. What now?
There is that moment in life when we may experience something wonderful. Perhaps we have witnessed the miracle of a newborn child, or even more wonderful, witnessed the new birth of an individual who comes to salvation in Christ. Nevertheless, after that glorious moment, after the lights fade, and after returning to the daily routine of life, what now? This was the state of the disciples. Seemingly not knowing how to proceed, Peter said that he was going fishing. Little did they know that this fishing trip would serve to remind them of their calling to be fishers of men.
At least three conclusions can be drawn from the passage in John 21:15-17: 1) The love Jesus speaks of is not the same as the love the world speaks of; 2) The questioning of your faith is inevitable; and 3) The presence of God makes the true believer aware and willing.
The next time we will consider each of these. Ultimately, the disciples will learn that the love Jesus speaks of is not the same as the love the world speaks of.
