Do you love me?

Many years ago, while ministering in Europe, the Lord Jesus Christ whispered a question in my spirit: “Robert, do you love Me”? I was shocked. I thought I was serving Him faithfully and yet He seemed to be questioning my love for Him.

So, I immediately responded, “You know I love you”! He then posed another question which also shook me: “But do you really love Me”?

I now responded to His second question with greater honesty, “Well, I want to love you”.

However, His third question completely undid me. He asked, “Do you want to love Me”?

I could only reply, “I want to want to love You”.

My encounter with Christ that day echoed Peter’s restoration on the shore of Galilee, when Jesus asked him, “…Simon son of John, do you love me…” (John 21:17).

Peter was hurt (as I was), but the question revealed a level of self-awareness and honesty that was demanded by the entrustment that followed: “…Feed my sheep…”(v.17).

If we are going to be faithful to the trust which Jesus has placed in us, to represent Him and proclaim His message, we must prove ourselves trustworthy. And our trustworthiness is not proven by a boast about our faithfulness, but a deep understanding of both our flaws and His grace.

Jesus’s questions reach into the heart of who we are.

So, what about you?

Do you love Him?

Robert