Love demonstrated

"So when they had dined, Jesus saith unto Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, 'Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee.' He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith unto him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, 'Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee.' He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, 'Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee.' Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep."
- John 21:15-17

Three times.

Three times Peter was asked by Christ if he loved Him and each time Peter answered, Yea Lord, thou knowest I love thee. But yet, Christ still asked three times.

Now, I agree with Peter. Jesus Christ did know that Peter loved Him and yet, he asked him three times and each time after Peter responded with a Yes, Christ asked Peter to do something. He asked Peter to feed His sheep. He asked Peter to not go back to fishing, not go back to the life he had and knew before Christ, but Jesus was asking him to accept and fulfill the task He designed for Peter.

He was asking Peter to not just proclaim his love for God but to demonstrate it.

Is it not the same for us?

Jesus Christ knows our heart. He knows our desires and where our true devotions lie. He knows and yet, that doesn't mean that we are to not strive to demonstrate our love for Him.

The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:17,"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new." Once a person comes to saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, they are changed. Everything changes. Once you know Christ, you ought not to just go back to your life. You can't - you're changed! The Holy Spirit is now dwelling inside of you and that allows God to change your mind, your heart, your desires....change you.

Jesus Christ demonstrated His abundant love for us (for you and for me) when He shed His blood as payment for our sin. He started in the garden by sweating drops of His precious, life-atoning blood and it continued, through brutal beatings at the hands of those whom He loved. His love was shown as each thorn of that crown was driven deep into His brow. His love was demonstrated and marked in each footprint that lead up that hill as He bore OUR cross. He love was demonstrated as his arms were stretched out and laid across the rough wood. His demonstrated love was pierced as the nails were pounded through His hands and through His feet. He didn't deserve any of this and yet that was the way He demonstrated His love for you. He hung there, on a nail...because He loves you.

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13
Who are Jesus' friends that He "laid his life down" for?
"Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you." John 15:14

Jesus Christ gave the greatest demonstration of love that is comprehensible to man.

If you have accepted this love and you, like Peter, love Him...what will you do to demonstrate your love for Him?