Third Sunday in Easter

Who do we love above all others?  For most people the answer to this question might be a husband, a wife, a mother, a father, a brother, a sister, a daughter, a son or some other relative or special person.  What about us?  This was the question put to Peter by Jesus beside the Sea of Galilee in our Bible passage this week: “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”  What precisely did Jesus mean?  Was he pointing at the time to the boat, the nets and the fish that they had just caught?  Was he pointing to the other disciples?  Do you love me more than your career?  Do you love me more than your friends?  Although, there is no mention of Andrew being there, John’s Gospel does mention two other disciples which might have included Andrew.  Do you love me more than your brother?  For the Christian, we are called to love the Lord before anything or anyone, including biological family.  Two more things must be said.  Firstly, note the grace of the Lord.  Peter, who had denied Jesus three times, was given the opportunity to be fully restored by a threefold declaration of love.  Secondly, following this declaration of love, Jesus gives Peter, and all of us, a task.  Peter’s task was to look after other believers.  Here too, we have a vital calling for it is in genuinely loving God’s people that we demonstrate our authentic love for the Lord Himself.