TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL PASSAGE
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
Again Jesus said, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
The third time he said to him, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.
John 21:15-17
DEVOTIONAL
by Elder Chris Beltran
What an exciting and challenging year we just had! It was time to recover and face new challenges brought about by the pandemic years.
How was your relationship with the Lord? Has it grown, or have we been too busy recovering and focusing on the temporary things and have neglected to seek His kingdom first?
As we begin another new year, we may be aware that we have failed our Lord in many ways. Perhaps we disregarded His commandments and walked our own paths. Perhaps we were not faithful, or we have denied Him by the way we lived. Jesus has a wonderful yet profound way of restoring us back. He will not criticize or humiliate us. He will not ask us to make New Year’s resolutions. Rather, like what He did to Peter, He takes us aside and asks us to examine and reaffirm our Love for Him.
Jesus will ask us as He asked Peter, “Do you love me?” If our answer is like Peter’s, “Yes, Lord,” He will ask us again until you have reaffirmed it. His reply? “If you truly love me, Obey my commandments.”
If your resolution to recommit your life to the Lord last year did not help you to be faithful, it would not make you successful this year, too. What He asks for is your love. Reexamine your heart. If you truly love Him, then your service for Him this year will be done with the excellence that He truly deserves.
The Lord is asking us, “Do you love me?” What would our reply be?
PRAYER
Lord, as we evaluate ourselves, we have not been truly faithful. But because of Your great mercy and compassion, You give us second and more chances to reaffirm our love for You. Every new year and every new day brings about opportunities to rekindle our relationship with You. Help us, Lord, to know what it means to love You with all of our hearts, minds, and strength and to obey Your every commandment. Help us, Lord, in Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
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