"COMMITMENT"

"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." He said to him, "Feed my lambs."

John‬ ‭21:15‬

Commitment is a big word, and rightly so. It's something you wouldn't use flippantly or hastily. Commitment demands serious determination, consistency, and boldness. To commit to something is to keep holding on to it to the very end.

Commitment is a binding pledge that requires you to do something. You don't stop when you're tired; you only stop when it's done. Marriage is a commitment, and so is family. Without a shadow of a doubt, our relationship with Jesus Christ our Lord is not only a life-long engagement but an eternal commitment.

Sadly, commitment is a word that is missing in many professing Christians. For a time, they committed to the Lord, but at some point, they lost the desire to follow Christ and went back to their old lives. They have failed to meet discipleship's demands, thinking that Christianity is just another religion. They are missing the point that Christ demands undivided attention and unswerving devotion.

I have desired to address this topic because the lack of commitment has become a problem in today’s church. Some decided to join a congregation because they heard a heartwarming sermon followed up by a call with emotional music in the background. Others grew up in a church but didn't know God. Still, others are in church just because their parents are there.

Let's zoom in on the conversation between the Lord Jesus and Peter in the last chapter of John's Gospel. Jesus prepared breakfast for the disciples, who went out at sea to catch some fish. This scene reminds me of the first time Jesus met the disciples when He called them and made them "fishers of men."

Most of us wonder, why would Jesus ask if Peter loved him. Why thrice? Before this event, Peter denied the Lord Jesus publicly three times (John 18:18, 25). This is the Lord's response to Peter's denial: He is restoring the apostle publicly and giving him a threefold commission to lead the rest of the disciples. Scripture presents Peter as the spokesman for the Twelve and an apparent church leader.

But what does Jesus mean by asking, "do you love me more than these"? Some believe that the Lord referred to the fish, but there isn't enough evidence that Peter decided to return to his fishing business. Instead, a more logical conclusion is that Jesus wanted to affirm if Peter loved Him supremely, as he claimed (John 13:37). Jesus used the Greek "agape," which is the love of commitment and devotion. Peter affirms his love for Jesus, but the Bible tells us that Peter used "phileo," which is the love for a friend.

Jesus put Peter in a position of leadership. However, Peter must lead with a genuine love for God and His people. He should be committed to the Lord, who died for him and gave him a second chance.

We must understand that Jesus isn't only our Savior. He is also our Lord, who demands absolute commitment. He won't take second place because He rightfully deserves our wholehearted devotion.

On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your level of commitment to Jesus Christ?

Pursue the Saviour today!