Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - June/64

Contributor - Corstian Klein

Title - Peter (Consistory member) Do You Love Me?

Topic - Consistory

If Jesus, the Lord of the Church, should be present at one of our Consistory meetings or Classis sessions, what would He say? This s not meant to suggest that He isn't present when we meet in that way, but it is good for us to ask the question anyway. What would He say. Would He sympathize with us in the way that Consistory meetings and the care of the Church chews up our time? Would He sympathize with us as we complain about our ministry to missing members - members who are missing from the active life of the Church as well as those who feel that they have missed a word of appreciation for bringing flowers to the Church, or who were not shown enough appreciation for serving on a committee, or who fell slighted because they are sure the choir should only have sung once last Sunday instead of twice? Would He ask us what we do on our day off, or express concern because we are so busy that we can't even afford to take a day off? Would He talk to us about our frustrations and misgivings?

No doubt He is interested in all these matters. Yet I doubt very much whether He would begin discussing these things if He should attend one of our meetings. NO, I think that if He should enter my study, or attend one of my Consistory meetings, or attend a session of Classis He would ask me a very simple question. He would do with me and with you what He did with Peter after he had decided to return to his business. He would simply and profoundly ask, "Peter (Consistory member) lovest thou me more than these?" That, after all, is the all important question, isn't it?

And that is the question that Jesus asks of His frustrated servant. Peter in this passage (John 21) is the classic example of the frustrated Consistory member. Oh, he had begun his discipleship with so much enthusiasm, and he had so often expressed his loyalty to his Lord. He said with emphasis that he would be faithful to Him even unto death. But he had made a mess of it. He had Red with the others when Jesus was arrested and had stayed in the background during the trial. And now, even after having seen the Risen Lord twice he decides he has had enough of this business of being 'a fisher of Men'. Even though at one time he was sure he had heard the call of God to leave 'goods and kindred' go and to go and build the Kingdom of God, he doesn't feel it any longer. For one reason or another he has given up the ministry. In his frustration he has said, "I give up trying to serve people as an elder, or a minister, or a deacon, I am going back to my old way of life! I am going back to my boat and my nets, I am going back into the fishing business. Let some one else take over. Let some one else do the family visitations and care for the Church's business. I am through! I want my time for myself!"

Sounds like a sensible solution, doesn't it? After all, why should we work ourselves into some kind of nervous disorder in the church, especially when there is so often so little appreciation expressed for what we do. There are so many criticisms and there is so much lack of co-operation.

But just at this point Jesus comes with that simple question. Such a simple question but so profound and disturbing! "Do you love me Peter?" He doesn't begin with a little bit of moralizing, as we are always tempted to do. He doesn't come to Peter and say, now Peter, you know you can expect some difficulties when you become an elder or a minister. You nave got to be able to bear these frustrations and irritations." No, He simply asks Peter if he really loves Him. You will recall that Peter had jumped into the sea and rushed to the beach as soon as he knew that the 'stranger on the shore' was Jesus. Then Peter said by his action that he really loved his Master more than the nets, the boat, and the fishing business. "Do I really hold first place in your life Peter?"

And of course Peter knew the answer to that question. He does exactly what you and I would do if Christ should ask us this question. Give Him the right answer! Yes, I love you Lord.

But at this point at least, Jesus is not interested only in correct answers. He is interested in the yielded life. And so He asks Peter a second and a third time. "Do you really love Me?" "Is your love for me more than mere lip service? Is your dedication and love for me deep and abiding?"

What Jesus is asking of Peter and of you and me is this, do we really love Him above all else and our neighbor as ourselves? The love that Jesus asks for here is the kind that we can give only to God. And He blends the summary of the Law so beautifully into this interview. For every time Peter affirmed his love for Christ he is told to feed His lambs, to shepherd His sheep, etc.

And that question is asked us for our benefit. Jesus does not ask it for His benefit. Peter said correctly, "You know everything". He asks us in order that we may answer, not merely with a memorized answer, but with a yielded life. Christians, and Consistory members in particular, must demonstrate the love of God in this world through their care for His sheep. It is ours to see that the sheep are pasturing on the green grass of His Word. It is our task to look out for the wolves that would come in and destroy the flock. And there are so many wolves today. There are so many dangers facing the Church in so many forms, not the least of which is the prosperity of today and the ease with which some drift away from the Church which is God's sheepfold. But real love for neighbor begins with a concern for his spiritual needs. Christ would have us love God above all else and love our neighbor by ministering to his spiritual needs.

So love is the one basic need for the ministry to which we have been called. The type of work that we have to perform demands a strong and devoted love. A love that proves itself in obedience to the direction of our Lord to feed His sheep. Without that kind of love our work will always prove frustrating and disappointing. So Christ asks you and me, not how learned we are, or how many natural qualifications we have, or how attractive a personality we have, but He simply asks, "Do you love me??" Do you love Him? Shepherd His flock!

Please click the "Back" button of your browser to return to previous page.