Questions Jesus Asks: Do You Love Me?

Trinity United Methodist Church's Podcast

History sometimes repeats itself. This week’s news included a story of a group of U.S. Congress members who last summer were in a boat on the Sea of Galilee in Israel. The article in the Denver Post said, “Many of the lawmakers said they went swimming because of the religious significance of the waters.” The article noted, “The Sea of Galilee is where Jesus is said in the Bible to have walked on water.” One of the congresspersons confessed this week, “A year ago, my wife and I joined colleagues for dinner at the Sea of Galilee in Israel. After dinner I followed some members of Congress in a spontaneous and very brief dive into the sea, and regrettably I jumped into the water without a swimsuit.”

What the elected official was saying is that he went skinny-dipping in the sacred sea! Believe it or not, he is not the first to do so! This Sunday’s story is of a prominent leader who was fishing on the Sea of Galilee in his birthday suit. Others followed Peter in his night of fishing. Though they initially caught no fish, they encountered Jesus who gave them a simple fishing lesson that lead to unparalleled success. Peter eventually got dressed and met his Lord for breakfast on the beach.

Unlike the congressional delegation whose night-time swim was admittedly fueled by distilled spirits, Peter’s leap into the sea and encounter with the Holy One of God was a Holy Spirit-led encounter and transformation. Peter, who was last seen denying Jesus three times, is now asked three times by his Lord, “Do you love me?”

That inquiry is the title of this Sunday’s message from John 21:9-19 and the final one in the series QUESTIONS JESUS ASKS. Thank you for your response to this series. School begins Monday in DPS and I hope many who have been away some this summer will gather Sunday when we ponder the meaning of an affirmative answer to Jesus’ fundamental question to each of us, “Do you love me?”

Questions Jesus Asks: Do You Love Me?
Thirteenth Sunday After Pentecost
Scripture: John 21:9-19
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