More Than These

Last Sunday Miami hosted the Super Bowl and according to CBS Sports there were approximately 148 million viewers who watched at least part of the game.

People gnawing on wings. Dipping chips in salsa. Double fisting pizza slices. Cheering on their favorite team or leaning in to casual conversations dispersed throughout the hallways and rooms of their hosts’ homes.

Some people gathered for the food. Others for the game. And still others for the commercials and the halftime show. And on many fronts, it’s reasonable to believe that for whatever reason you went to the party, that the night’s attempt to keep you entertained did not disappoint.

According to Sports Illustrated, the average cost of a 30-second Super Bowl commercial was approximately $5.6 million. That’s incredible! One commercial that got my attention was produced by New York Life Insurance. The angle to promote their business was with the use of the word “love.” Putting love into action as they would call it.

They demonstrated how the Greek language has four different words to describe love. Philia is an affection that grows from friendship. Storge is the type of love shared with a grandparent or brother. Eros stems from an uncontrollable urge to say ‘I love you.’ Agape is the most admirable form of love that demands an action.

It reminded me of the story of Jesus’ conversation with Peter after His resurrection. You see, Jesus came on to the scene a few years before proclaiming this new world order; this other worldly kingdom. The Jews were stoked because of the harsh rule of the Roman Empire. They had their sights set on a Deliverer!

Jesus gathered what many might consider a diverse and somewhat distasteful group of followers, made some pretty provocative statements, and performed some pretty incredible miracles.

But then he was arrested. Whipped. Crucified. Buried.

So now what? These guys had forfeited their roles in their family businesses. Cashed in their chips as tax collectors and other types of bread winners. Abandoned their livelihoods. Now staring at each other wondering what’s next since their savior had been crushed like every other opponent of the religious and political landscape of their day.

Several of these men returned to a land, or should I say a sea, of familiarity they had once known before Jesus radically interrupted their lives with an invitation to follow Him.

It’s here that we pick up the story of Jesus and Peter as they encounter one another on the beach along the Sea of Galilee.

Peter was quite the character. No doubt the bold and brazen type. Not afraid to speak what he thinks. Jumps in both feet first without giving much thought prior to sinking his teeth in to every circumstance he encounters.

He walked on water, called Jesus “the Christ,” assured Jesus he’d never abandon him, cursed a teenage girl when questioned about being His follower, and the list goes on. He was a pistol, maybe a loose cannon, to say the least.

Back to the beach story.

Peter and his guys were fishing on the Sea of Galilee when suddenly Jesus appears on the shore. Peter, with his lack of patience, jumps out of the boat and swims to shore. And the conversation that ensues is so convicting. It cuts Peter to the core.

Jesus asks, “Peter, do you love me more than these?” There’s a play on the word for ‘love,’ as described in the Super Bowl commercial, that’s not easily distinguishable in the English language.

“Do you love me more than these?” This question has roused my curiosity lately.

Do you love Me more than these people? Do you really have a fond affection for Me that goes beyond the affections you have for these other guys in the boat with you? Do you consider Me to be ‘one of many’ or am I your ‘one and only?’ After all that I’ve shared with you and all that I’ve shown you, do you still consider Me to be like everyone else? Or do you see that I really am who I say that I am? The Son of God! The Savior of the world!

Do you love Me more than these possessions? When I was crucified and buried you went back to that previous life. Have you forsaken My message? Have you abandoned My mission? Have the nets to catch fish regained your focus over the nets for catching men to be My disciples? Have the boats, the nets, and the fish market so easily captured your allegiance that you are neglecting to share My story of redemption?

Do you love Me more than these places? We walked the streets and went to the synagogue and the marketplace. We contended with the Pharisees and their erroneous thinking. We embraced the destitute and brought hope to the outcasts. Have you decided to remain in the places of familiarity provided by these boats at the expense of sharing the good news while walking these streets?

Peter’s response, “You know that I love you!”

Then do something! What does love require of me? It requires me to do more than offer lip service. More than a feeling. More than a fond affection. More than an urge. It requires action.

Jesus told His disciples to love others the way He had loved them. Loving others that way is not an easy task. Why? Because sometimes loving others gets in the way of loving ourselves.

Love is bold. It requires a deep abiding commitment without knowing the outcome. Love is costly. It makes personal sacrifice for others’ benefit. Love is strong. Constantly drawing from the deep well of God’s love for us.

Jesus is asking us this question: “do you love Me more than these?” Do you love Jesus enough to abandon some familiar places and possessions? Our love for Jesus will be self-evident by the way we love people. By re-prioritizing our passions to sacrifice, surrender, and serve. Just one glimpse of the heart of God. That’s all it takes for us to embrace His love for us and pour forth love on the world around us!