Loving the Other

Do you love me? A simple question asked of simple disciples. Jesus powerful words echo into our lives today. Denise McKinney shares from Jesus' interactions with Peter in our third week of Disqualified.

Loving the Other

Disqualified | Week 3

September 4, 2016 | Denise McKinney

Peter:

Impulsive, extroverted, emotional, risk taker, ADD, the “did I just say that out loud?” disciple

John:

Intentional, Introverted, Reserved, Takes Care, loyal & steady but hidden pride, the “disciple Jesus loved”

John 13:34-38 (NLT)

34 So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. 35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” 36 Simon Peter asked, “Lord, where are you going?” And Jesus replied, “You can’t go with me now, but you will follow me later.” 37 “But why can’t I come now, Lord?” he asked. “I’m ready to die for you.” 38 Jesus answered, “Die for me? I tell you the truth, Peter—before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.

John 18:10-11 (NLT)

10 Then Simon Peter drew a sword and slashed off the right ear of Malchus, the high priest’s slave. 11 But Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword back into its sheath. Shall I not drink from the cup of suffering the Father has given me?”

John 18:15-17, 25-27 (NLT)

15 Simon Peter followed Jesus, as did another of the disciples. That other disciple was acquainted with the high priest, so he was allowed to enter the high priest’s courtyard with Jesus. 16 Peter had to stay outside the gate. Then the disciple who knew the high priest spoke to the woman watching at the gate, and she let Peter in. 17 The woman asked Peter, “You’re not one of that man’s disciples, are you?” “No,” he said, “I am not.”

25 Meanwhile, as Simon Peter was standing by the fire warming himself, they asked him again, “You’re not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it, saying, “No, I am not.” 26 But one of the household slaves of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Didn’t I see you out there in the olive grove with Jesus?” 27 Again Peter denied it. And immediately a rooster crowed.

Often we respond to others as if it our job to disqualify them from being loved & used by God.

And by disqualifying others, we actually get in the way of God working through us for the sake of others.

Our love for each other points the world to the God who loves them.

John 21:17 (NLT)

17 A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep."

Do you love me?