When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.”   John 21:15

One of the most poignant conversations Jesus ever had might have been when he asked Peter three times, “Do you love me?” The first two times Jesus asked Peter that question, Jesus used a word for love that means “God’s unconditional love.” Peter answered that he loved Jesus with “brotherly love.” Maybe that was the best love Peter could muster at that moment.

The first time Jesus asked this question, he said, “Do you love me more than these?” Was Jesus asking Peter if he loved him more than he loved his earthly friends? Or was Jesus asking if Peter loved him more than the other disciples loved him? Yet another possibility was that Jesus was not referring to people but to things. Perhaps Jesus was gesturing towards the boats, nets, ropes, and other gear that were part of Peter’s possessions and livelihood.

I like to ponder Jesus’ question in all these ways. Do I love Christ more than I love anyone else, with a special love reserved only for him? And do I love him more than I love my livelihood, my possessions, all of the “stuff” that fills my life?

Loving God, remind us daily what is most important. Teach us to love others as you love us. Amen.