Just Love the People - all the time

Loving People

John 21:15-17 (NKJV)

“So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.” He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.”

In John 18:15-18 & 25-27, Simon Peter had denied Jesus three times. Of course, Peter was mortified by having done so – even more since Jesus had prophesied that he would do it and Peter had denied it vehemently. However, in this last passage from John 21, we see Peter restored. We also see, I believe, Jesus’ blueprint for loving our neighbour. In this passage He says very clearly to love the people, to love the people some more, and to love the people again. Three times Peter denied Him and in response, three times, He says to love the people.

But who are these people? They are those whom we meet in our everyday life and as such there is a great difference amongst them all. Some people we love, some we like, some we dislike, and some we hate. Some people are family, some are friends, some are enemies. However, when all is said and done, ALL are children of God. God created all of us – every man, woman, and child on planet earth. As such we are ALL, therefore, His children. As in all big families, there are differences of opinion.

Some of the family will be at loggerheads with others in the family. Some may even be at war with each other. So when we put this into a world context then that is precisely what we find. Brother against brother, fathers against children, families divided – by money, by religion by all sorts of things. We Christians, as part of God’s family, have a leading role to play in showing the Love of Christ to ALL of Gods children - our brothers and sisters around the world.

So, in order to love our neighbours, as Jesus said to Peter, we have to love the people, to love the people some more, and to love the people again. Simple really – isn’t it?