More Than These

 "When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, 'Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?'" John 21: 15a

    I picture myself dining in my home with Jesus, a simple meal of warm bread and fish, just the two of us. Satiated, we push back and place napkins on the table. I'm not thinking of anything in particular (except maybe dessert) when His piercing gaze meets mine and He asks me plainly, "Rachel, daughter of Russ and Trudy, do you love me more than these?"

    My heart quickens as I look around at all the stuff that represents my life: pictures of my family, sentimental keepsakes in the china cabinet, loving tokens from others, items of comfort and security. Would I give it all up for Christ? 

    This verse comes to mind as I write: "For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his own soul?" (Mark 8:36) Is anything around me worth more than Jesus?

    Consider heaven. What do I want to see upon my arrival, first and foremost? The colossal gate made of a single pearl? The shiny, golden street as pure as transparent glass? The merry eyes of my mother? 

    If heaven were a barren landscape, void of all save Jesus, would I be just as eager to go there? Do I truly love Him more than these?

    Yes! A thousand times, Yes! May it be so. May I join Simon Peter in saying, 

"'Yes, Lord,' he said, 'You know that I love you.'" John 21: 15b