Fields United Methodist Church

Celebrate Jesus!

Pastor Tom Joyce

April 25, 2022

“Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?’ [Peter] said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’”

John 21:15

In this the third resurrection appearance of Jesus, he asks his disciples to take seriously the love that was offered to them by God. Living a life of faith is more than words, it is about a lifestyle of living the Word in our service to others. Friends are closer when we share time and experiences with them.  Families are strengthened when time is spent together. Faith is increased when we share our witness through serving.  Each of these three scenarios share one thing in common; prioritizing the love of Christ which has been shared through the Holy Spirit. Love is not a word that is passively expressed; it is an action which translates into deepening relationships that prioritizes our time and commitment for the benefit of others. When Jesus asked Peter, “do you love me more than these,” he was asking Peter to put his faith into action. Consider the 2 greatest commandments to “love God with your whole heart, mind, soul, and strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself.” These 2 commandments go hand in hand and call for sharing the love we have received from God with the people of God; our “neighbors.” To love God, is to necessarily love your neighbor, whoever they may be, just as we have been loved by God. There is a song that sings, “if you don’t love your neighbor, then you don’t love God.”  This is a tall order indeed yet it is our calling.  As we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, witness the love you have for God through our resurrected Savior and your love of neighbor by your commitment to them. The greatest gift you receive from God is love. The greatest gift you can share with others is the precious gift of God’s love.