November 16, 2024 Devo

Wow, what a powerful question Jesus asked Peter that day. But as you read the “more than these” part, what do you think Jesus means by “these?” There are a lot of ways that can be taken. Let’s explore one of those today.
“More than these” could have meant “more than this place, this old life, and this stuff.” When Jesus asked this question, they were having breakfast by the Sea of Galilee. Fishing was what Peter did before following Jesus. It was also what he was doing when Jesus found them that morning. Peter had left that life when he started following Jesus. Though everything went well for a while, things suddenly turned dark. Jesus was arrested. He was beaten, whipped, and crucified. Peter had witnessed the horror of what can happen to those who follow the Christ. Fishing may have sounded like not so bad of a life after all.
So, “Do you love me more than these?” could have been Jesus’ way of pushing on Peter. He may have been asking, “Do you want to go back to your simple way of life, or do you want to give yourself to spreading the Gospel?” Loving Jesus was not going to be an easy life. There were risks. There were challenges. In fact, later in this same conversation, Jesus would reveal to Peter that he was going to die the same kind of death that He did. Did Peter love Jesus more than that easier way of life? That may have been the question.
It also may have been about breaking away from Peter’s comfort zone. Fishing wasn’t just a livelihood for Peter. It was his safe place. His hiding place. Anyone who has ever spent time on the water knows how peaceful and quiet it can be. After all the chaos Peter just went through, he may have wanted to get back on the water and get away from it all. Away from the crowds. Away from the angry religious leaders. Away from the incessant noise, responsibilities, and demands. Was Peter willing to give up his “man cave” on the lake and step out of his comfort zone to serve and follow Jesus? Did he love Jesus that much?
My guess is that there are a few of us who may have retreated away from following Jesus as actively as we have in the past. Maybe we got our feelings hurt. Maybe we were a part of a toxic church. Maybe we got burned out, beat up, or just tired of it all. My guess is many of us have fled from our calling, given up on our involvement, or have simply retreated into our comfort zones. Jesus may be asking us the same uncomfortable question that he asked Peter. “Do you love me more than these?” Time to get back in the game. God’s not done with us yet. That’s God’s Word for you today.