Jesus said, “Simon… do you love me?” John 21:16
Can you picture the risen Lord Jesus Christ looking deep into your soul and asking you this question? “Do you really, really love me?”
“I chose you. I redeemed you. I went to a cross for you. My body was broken for you, my blood was shed for you. I awakened you, breathed life into you, gave you faith and repentance.”
“I made a covenant with you. I watch over you. Before a word is on your tongue, I know it completely. I have loved you with an everlasting love. I have said to you, ‘I will never leave you. I will never forsake you.’”
When Jesus asked Peter this question, he answered, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you” (21:16). And even as he said it, he was feeling ashamed that his love for Jesus was so small. Don’t you feel that as you look at the immensity of all that Jesus has done for you?
R. C. Sproul read these words from Deuteronomy out loud: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength,” and then he said, “All your heart? All your soul? All your strength? I haven’t done that for 5 minutes.”
We need a savior. We need a savior who can forgive us, because our best attempts at loving God come nowhere close. We need a savior who can lead us to love God with more of our heart and more of our soul and more of our much-ness.
Try to picture Jesus asking you this same question.
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Do You Need Hope This Easter Season?
Watch the powerful story of the thief on the cross today
The thief’s story of salvation is one that begins, literally, on the brink of hell. The pain this man had experienced throughout his life fueled his hate for God, so much so that he detested the man hanging there on the cross beside him. But then, for the first time, he began to fear God.
If you’ve found yourself in a similar place, there is hope. Hope because heaven is real, hope because we have a Savior, and hope because all you have to do is accept Jesus’ invitation.
Join Pastor Colin In-Person!
Do you want to understand the Bible story? 📖
Pastor Colin Smith’s upcoming event FLY THROUGH THE BIBLE, is a high-altitude exploration of the entire Bible story. This brief introduction to the Bible will help you grasp who God is, who you are, who Jesus is, and what He offers to you!
Coming to 4 cities this fall:
- St. Louis, Missouri
- Twin Cities, Minnesota
- Des Moines, Iowa
- Indianapolis, Indiana
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