Skip to content
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
The Alabama Baptist
Search
Close
The Alabama Baptist
Search
Close
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Editorials
  • Classifieds
  • Free Email Newsletter
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Editorials
  • Classifieds
  • Free Email Newsletter

Theology 101 — Loving Jesus

  • February 22, 2023
  • Jerry Batson, Th.D.
  • Church Resources, Latest News, Theology 101

Theology 101 — Loving Jesus

Toward the conclusion of His incarnate ministry, Jesus addressed a searching question to Peter: “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” (John 21:15).

The meaning of the word “these” was a kind of verbal gesture. Did Jesus gesture toward the other disciples when He questioned Peter? Since Jesus honored the individuality of each of His followers, it is unlikely He would have introduced into the apostolic band the idea of evaluating our lives by comparing ourselves with others.

More than anything

It seems more likely He gestured toward the boats and fishing equipment that floated near the shore of the Sea of Galilee where this encounter occurred. After all, just before this encounter with the risen Lord, Peter had declared he was going fishing, something he had been fully engaged in before Jesus called him to become a disciple (John 21:3). Other disciples joined Peter in a night of fruitful fishing, with John saying they dragged in a net full of 153 large fish (John 21:11).

When Jesus appeared on the shore the following morning, He invited those disciples to join Him for breakfast. After the meal, Jesus questioned Peter three times, saying, “Do you love Me?” Upon Peter’s declaration that he did, Jesus three times gave him a renewed call to discipleship, beginning with “Feed My lambs” (see John 21:15). The matter is quite clear: Discipleship has love for Jesus as its primary motive. The fact that Jesus repeated this crucial question two additional times (vv. 16–17) emphasizes that everything we do in the matter of sharing the gospel must be motivated by love for Him.

Primary motivation

It is as true for us as it was for those original disciples. Love is the motivation for Christ’s followers to obey His command to go and make disciples of all nations. Christ’s followers tell others about Him out of devoted love for Him, not merely for building a reputation for themselves or for building church membership.

People may doubt our capabilities. They may turn deaf ears to our words. They may deny our theology. They cannot escape the power of divine love being poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit (Rom. 5:5).

Believers must always remember the two great commandments Jesus left for His followers (Matt. 22:37–39), often summarized simply as this: Love God. Love others.

Share with others:

Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on linkedin
LinkedIn
Share on email
Email

Latest News

  • Nanafalia Baptist hosting homecoming April 9
    Nanafalia Baptist hosting homecoming April 9
    March 22, 2023/
    0 Comments
  • Theology 101 — Our Need for His Witness
    Theology 101 — Our Need for His Witness
    March 22, 2023/
    0 Comments
  • Longtime worship pastor of Shades Mountain Baptist retires after two decades
    Longtime worship pastor of Shades Mountain Baptist retires after two decades
    March 22, 2023/
    0 Comments

Sign up for the Highlights

Get all latest content delivered to your email a few times a month.
Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

Related Posts

Theology 101 — The Spirit of Giftedness

October 26, 2022

Last week, Theology 101 focused on Galatians 5:22 which directs us to seven basic qualities of the spiritual fruit the

pink flower plant inside room

Halloween outreach tips for connecting with community

October 24, 2022

By Chip Warren Albertville, Ala. For a number of years, my family and I were involved in our church’s fall

Explore the Bible Sunday School Lesson for October 30

October 24, 2022
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

By Robert Olsen, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Christian Studies, University of Mobile The Sin Harvested Hosea 10:5–15 False religion (5–8)

Bible Studies for Life Sunday School Lesson for October 30

October 24, 2022
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

By Rony Kozman, Ph.D. Assistant professor of Biblical Studies, Samford University Study God’s Word 2 Timothy 2:14–19, 22–26 Be diligent

Want to receive news highlights throughout the week? Sign up here!

Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

About

  • Free Email Newsletter
  • Contact Us
  • Donate
  • Our Story
  • Awards and Recognitions
  • Affiliations
  • Partner Links
  • Advertise
  • Internships
  • Find Churches
  • Classifieds
  • Archived: Special Resources
  • Special Events
  • Photo Galleries
  • Free Email Newsletter
  • Contact Us
  • Donate
  • Our Story
  • Awards and Recognitions
  • Affiliations
  • Partner Links
  • Advertise
  • Internships
  • Find Churches
  • Classifieds
  • Archived: Special Resources
  • Special Events
  • Photo Galleries

Explore

  • Latest News
  • Archive
  • Sunday School Lessons
  • Editorials
  • Alabama News
  • Podcasts
  • Obituaries
  • Theology 101
  • Someone You Should Know
  • Rashional Thoughts
  • Persecuted Church
  • Heroes of the Faith
  • Reader Response
  • About Alabama
  • Videos
  • Latest News
  • Archive
  • Sunday School Lessons
  • Editorials
  • Alabama News
  • Podcasts
  • Obituaries
  • Theology 101
  • Someone You Should Know
  • Rashional Thoughts
  • Persecuted Church
  • Heroes of the Faith
  • Reader Response
  • About Alabama
  • Videos

Submissions

  • Story Ideas
  • Staff Change or News Item
  • Letter to the Editor
  • Reader Submissions
  • What Are You Reading?
  • Obituary
  • Correction / Clarification
  • Submission Policy
  • Story Ideas
  • Staff Change or News Item
  • Letter to the Editor
  • Reader Submissions
  • What Are You Reading?
  • Obituary
  • Correction / Clarification
  • Submission Policy

Subscribe

  • Start a new subscription
  • Renew your subscription
  • Start a new gift subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Subscribe to the TAB News app
  • Update your subscriber list
  • Subscribe to Highlights
  • Register for online access
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage Account | Customer Service
  • Start a new subscription
  • Renew your subscription
  • Start a new gift subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Subscribe to the TAB News app
  • Update your subscriber list
  • Subscribe to Highlights
  • Register for online access
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage Account | Customer Service
The Alabama Baptist
Address:
3310 Independence Dr.
Birmingham, AL 35209
Copyright © 2023 The Alabama Baptist, Inc.
  • Privacy Policy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ
  • Privacy Policy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ
Email:
news@thealabamabaptist.org

About

  • Free Email Newsletter
  • Contact Us
  • Donate
  • Our Story
  • Awards and Recognitions
  • Affiliations
  • Partner Links
  • Advertise
  • Internships
  • Find Churches
  • Classifieds
  • Archived: Special Resources
  • Special Events
  • Photo Galleries
  • Free Email Newsletter
  • Contact Us
  • Donate
  • Our Story
  • Awards and Recognitions
  • Affiliations
  • Partner Links
  • Advertise
  • Internships
  • Find Churches
  • Classifieds
  • Archived: Special Resources
  • Special Events
  • Photo Galleries

Explore

  • Latest News
  • Archive
  • Sunday School Lessons
  • Editorials
  • Alabama News
  • Podcasts
  • Obituaries
  • Theology 101
  • Someone You Should Know
  • Rashional Thoughts
  • Persecuted Church
  • Heroes of the Faith
  • Reader Response
  • About Alabama
  • Videos
  • Latest News
  • Archive
  • Sunday School Lessons
  • Editorials
  • Alabama News
  • Podcasts
  • Obituaries
  • Theology 101
  • Someone You Should Know
  • Rashional Thoughts
  • Persecuted Church
  • Heroes of the Faith
  • Reader Response
  • About Alabama
  • Videos

Submissions

  • Story Ideas
  • Staff Change or News Item
  • Letter to the Editor
  • Reader Submissions
  • What Are You Reading?
  • Obituary
  • Correction / Clarification
  • Submission Policy
  • Story Ideas
  • Staff Change or News Item
  • Letter to the Editor
  • Reader Submissions
  • What Are You Reading?
  • Obituary
  • Correction / Clarification
  • Submission Policy

Subscribe

  • Start a new subscription
  • Renew your subscription
  • Start a new gift subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Subscribe to the TAB News app
  • Update your subscriber list
  • Subscribe to Highlights
  • Register for online access
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage Account | Customer Service
  • Start a new subscription
  • Renew your subscription
  • Start a new gift subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Subscribe to the TAB News app
  • Update your subscriber list
  • Subscribe to Highlights
  • Register for online access
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage Account | Customer Service

Log In

Lost your password?

Log Out?

Lost your password?

Log in

Become a part of our community!
Forgot your password? Get help

Reset password

Recover your password
A password reset link will be e-mailed to you.
Back to
Login
×
Close Panel