How Much Does Love Cost

Introduction

Have you ever asked the question, how much does love cost? Based on studies the average cost of a first year of a relationship is $9,322.32. Granted to put a price tag on love is quite the task. It’s ignorant to suggest that love doesn’t cost anything. Love is quite priceless in nature. Love cost God His only son, love has cost many of us a price that we never thought we were willing to pay. With that said, love is quite priceless. The toughest part about love is the fact that love is typically the price we are willing to pay. Nonetheless in some regard, love might cost us our life! Truth be told the love cost Jesus his life.

1 John 3:16 “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”

It’s quite heartbreaking to see anyone killed for any reason, nonetheless there are people that have lost their lives at the expense of their beliefs. How much does love cost? What are you willing to sacrifice at the expense of your love for Jesus Christ.

In this text Jesus re-appears to the disciples again, and this is a life lesson that is quite unforgettable. Love is tricky, because love can make us think we are capable of things we were never capable of doing in the first place. The same Peter that says he would never fall away is the same Peter that falls victim to the sin of denial. Nonetheless this is the beauty of love because even though Peter falls short, love is the price paid for forgiveness! Without love, none of us would have the ability to live. Without love none of us would have the ability to walk in purpose! Despite sin, the love of God conquers the greatest of sin!

Remember when you get distracted remember the love that Jesus has for us, we do not have time to lose sight of the love that Jesus has for us, because the love that Jesus has for us doesn’t allow distractions and missteps to keep us from walking in purpose!

Reconciliation is a part of the Cost

Its quite interesting that Jesus asked Peter do you love me the same amount of times that he denies Jesus. It’s quite beautiful that Jesus can forgive, prepare and restore all at the same time!

Many times we sit in our grief of regret and resentment. Peter knew that he had betrayed Jesus. Peter knew what he said he would do, yet his actions did not follow. It’s challenging to bounce back after the mistakes you’ve made have been publicized.

Matthew 26:69-75 “Now Peter sat outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came to him, saying, “You also were with Jesus of Galilee.” But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you are saying.” And when he had gone out to the gateway, another girl saw him and said to those who were there, “This fellow also was with Jesus of Nazareth.” But again he denied with an oath, “I do not know the Man!” And a little later those who stood by came up and said to Peter, “Surely you also are one of them, for your speech betrays you.” Then he began to curse and swear, saying, “I do not know the Man!” Immediately a rooster crowed. And Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” So he went out and wept bitterly.”

Unless Jesus has this conversation about feeding my sheep, Peter might have continued to be the fisherman he once was. It’s easy to go back to a wayward lifestyle after a mistake. It’s easy to stop coming to church once you’ve felt the shame of everyone knowing the sin you’ve committed. The tough part is finding resolve in the restoration and forgiveness of Jesus.

Shame is challenging for us all. It’s the painful and distressful feeling of something you know you should not have done. We all have some things we feel shame about, we may not have publicly denied Jesus with our words but we may have denied him with our actions.

Isn’t it awesome that Jesus asks him 3 times does he love Him, Jesus asking this question is a lot different than accusers. They were going to kill Peter off the strength of him knowing Jesus. Jesus wants to give you life because you love Him!

Love requires Sacrifice not just Strong Feelings

There’s a gap in conversation amongst Jesus and Peter. Jesus isn’t just talking about affection and strong feelings, or a lot of care. Understand I care about a lot of people. Nonetheless I do not have the same type of love that I have for them as I do for Antwanelle, Raynell, Vinnie and Azariah.

This is the problem we see within our communities in which gang violence is prominent. There’s a lot of people that will shoot for you, fight with you, but won’t die for you! Please understand the difference. Jesus is asking Peter do you love me sacrificially and unconditionally!

agapaō

Or to show love in a demonstrative way. A sincere appreciation and high regard. The difference between the love that Jesus is questioning Peter on and the love that Peter is responding with is the love that Jesus is commanding isn’t based on interpersonal relationships.

phileō

It’s affection based on interpersonal association. To particularly like to or enjoy something. A brotherly or sisterly like affinity for one another.

Do you see the difference?

As a Christian I don’t have to know you personally to treat you with the love of Jesus. Sure it’s common and expected for us to love family. We were born into a common bond. The love of Jesus is powerful because it’s deeper than commonality and relationships it’s the overflow of Jesus dying on the cross for us. If he could die for us we can love one another at least!

This is why Jesus said, Feed My Lambs. When we serve one another we put people in position to want to eat. We put people in position to want to serve and protect one another.

Jesus is not only restoring Peter but preparing Peter. Peter, being a pastor, being a preacher, is going to take service. It’s going to take focus. It’s going to take some unconditional love because the people that you may find yourself in the pasture might not look like you, might not think like you. Nonetheless it’s not about what commonalities you possess, it’s about finding commonality in the fact that Jesus died for all of us.

As a leader in any regard it’s not about just following guidelines, it’s about meeting needs in a manner that shows that we care. Meeting needs, preparing the pasture in a way that makes the sheep want to eat. The only way you know that is if you spend time with the sheep!

In order to do this it’s going to take some love and some sacrifice! The problem why we can’t exude the foot-washing spirit of Jesus is because we don’t truly love people like we should. We care about people, we don’t want to see anything bad happen to people, but in order to serve folks like Jesus did, you are going to have to understand that it’s going to come with some sacrifice.

True Love is About Preparation

When you really love someone you not only helped them after they’ve fallen you alert them for what is to come. Granted no one knows us like we know ourselves.

John 21:18 “Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.””

Jesus is preparing Peter for martyrdom. Understand that sometimes your calling can cost you your life! Understand that no matter what your calling cost you, it will glorify God. Furthermore, when you are young and maybe life is peaceful you might be able to lead,shepherd and cast vision without help. Nonetheless there will come a time when the shepherd will need the sheep as well!

When you are a constant target of the enemy the best asset you can have in your life is focus! You can’t worry about anyone else’s calling but yours!

Luke 22:31 “And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.”

Don’t get so caught up in what other people are doing that you miss what Satan is trying to do to keep you from your purpose! Peter didn’t have time to focus on anyone else, God had a plan for him!

John 21:20-23 “Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.” Then this saying went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?””

The same applies to your salvation today! Understand that Satan desires to destroy you. You can’t worry about what anyone else has going on if it keeps you from fulfilling your purpose in Christ. If you haven’t given your life to Jesus it isn’t about what friends have done, what family hasn’t done it’s about what you are going to do today! DO YOU LOVE JESUS with all your heart mind and soul!