Immeasurable

By Pastor Paul Gauche

Today’s Word: ‘Immeasurable’ as in… love is not measurable.

“Simon, do you love me more than these?” Peter says, “Yes, Lord; you know I love you.” Jesus says to him, “Feed my lambs.”

Peter’s head must be spinning. It’s a head-spinner of a question, for sure. So let’s make sure we understand the question before we respond.

Jesus, are you asking me if I love you more than I love these guys? Are you asking me if I love you more than these guys love you? Or are you asking me if I know that my love for you is limited at best?

This is very counter-intuitive, but the sooner we acknowledge our limited ability to love well, the sooner we’ll be set free by Christ’s love through us. Love was never meant to be measured. Rather, love is immeasurable, extravagant, unconditional by its very nature. Love is limitless, or it isn’t love.

Love can never be measured by comparing it with others, but we do this more than we think. I hear myself saying, “You know, I can always love God more than I do, but at least I love God more than you love God.”

Wow. Just wow.

So why does Jesus ask Peter, “Do you love me more than these?” Because Peter measured his love against the others. “Not me, Lord! They’ll run, but I won’t. I love you more than I love these guys. And for sure, I love you more than these guys love you.” But before the whole thing was over, Peter had denied even knowing Jesus three times.

So let’s turn the whole thing inside out. By asking Peter, “Do you love me more than these?” Jesus challenges Peter to acknowledge his love’s weakness and limitations. Jesus moves Peter from pride to humility, from a false sense of devotion to honesty that will set him free.

Only when Peter can be honest about who he is, his limitations, and who Christ is shaping him to be can his relationship with Jesus is restored.

“I love you! I do love you! You know I love you.”

#100days50words

Paul Gauche is the Pastor of Life Transitions at Prince of Peace. His posts are part of his #100days50words project, where he blogs about a different word each week. You can follow his project on Instagram (@pgauche) or his blog, Thriving Rhythms.