LOVEST THOU ME

        During the month of February with Valentines Day many minds turn to thoughts of love.  Children make and share Valentines with each other.  Adult couples do special things like go out for a special dinner, buy expensive candy for a date or spouse or purchase extravagant jewelry.   These gestures are to demonstrate one's love for another person.  But there is a more important action concerning love which needs to be examined.  It is the question that Jesus once asked Simon Peter, "Lovest thou these more than me?"  I am referring to verses 15-17 in John 21.  "When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, 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 a second time, "Simon, son of John, 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 John, 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 everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep"."  Now I don't think the question that was posed by Jesus was really for His own information. It was for Peter's self-examination.  Maybe that is a question that we need to answer ourselves by our own self-examination.  As Bill Gather's song says, do we love the Lord more than fame, wealth, and the world? That is a penetrating question in today's society with all its attractions and temptations. I also think it is interesting how Peter answered Jesus.  He didn't say things like certainly, just ask my pastor or the elders, or look at all the work I do for you, or remember how much money I give to your work.  He knew that the Lord knew everything.  He knew the thoughts and intents of Peter's heart, just as He knows the same about us.  Have you ever thought what you would say if somehow Jesus would confront you with this question just as He did Peter?  I don't know the details behind the writing of this week's song choice, but I am sure that Bill Gather wrote this song after being challenged by this passage.  May we use these words this week to force us to examine our lives and actions and answer this vital question, "Lovest thou me, more than these?"

(1)     Modern times have brought us many blessings

People live in wealth and luxury

But the Master asks this question

Lovest thou me, lovest thou me, more than these?

Lovest thou me, more than these my child?

What will, will your answer be?

Oh precious Lord, I love Thee more than all of these

More than fame

More than wealth

More than the world

More than fame

More than wealth

More than the world

(2)     I love Thee more than this old world could offer

All sinful follies I deny for Thee

My love, my life, my all, I pledge Thee

I love thee Lord, I love thee Lord, more than these

More than these

Lovest thou me, more than these my child?

What will, will your answer be?

Oh precious Lord, I love Thee more than all of these

More than fame

More than wealth

More than the world

More than fame

More than wealth

More than the world

I especially love the version of this song done by Ernie Haase and his group.  I appreciate the fine, close harmony and hope that you will as well.  I apologize that you need to watch the commercial for 5 seconds, but when that time is up click to go right to the song.    LISTEN