Who do you love?

It’s pretty obvious when you love something or someone. Talk to me for any amount of time and you’ll be sure to hear about my love for Eric Church Music, a nice canvas or leather bag, Apple Products, The Andy Griffith Show, my son Griffith, or my wife Bailey. When you love someone or something, you express that love. You let the world know, “Hey… This is my person. These are my hobbies. This is what I do. This is what I love.” 

Or, to quote Buddy the Elf, “I’m in love! I’m in love! And I don’t care who knows it!” 

Here’s the deal, our love should be accompanied by expression. If I say I love my wife, but don’t remember her birthday, don’t take her on dates, don’t do the dishes after a hard day, and generally disrespect her, do I really love her? Love should always be accompanied by action. 

If you’re familiar with the story of Peter in the Bible, you may know that Jesus essentially tells him the same thing. Right before Jesus was crucified, Peter (who had professed love over and over again) fails to stand up for Jesus in His greatest hour of need. In fact, he flat out denies knowing Jesus. 

Then Jesus came back to life and greeted Peter. Talk about awkward. But, Jesus was not trying to make Peter feel bad. Instead, Jesus asks him three times, “Peter, do you love me?” And every time Peter replied, “Yes.” Here’s how Jesus responded; “Then feed my sheep.” 

In other words, “Don’t just say it… Show it.” 

Love is always accompanied by expression. Years later the apostle Paul would write in his letter to the Philippians, “Work hard to show the results of you salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear.” This is not about working to earn God’s salvation, but about working because we love God. Because He has saved us. 

So the question goes to you, now… Do you love Jesus? And what are you doing to show it? What action is accompanying your declaration of love? 

Here’s my encouragement for you today: Make it a point to show your love for Jesus today. You can do this by serving someone else, by being generous, by spending time with God in prayer and Scripture, or by connecting with a friend and letting them know what Jesus means to you. 

“Do you love me?” Jesus asks… “Then feed my sheep.”