It begins with the disciples fishing all night and catching nothing. Then Jesus appeared to them on the shore, with a fire of coals, cooking fish and bread. This was the third time since His resurrection He had appeared to them. In verse 15, "when they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love Me more than these?" Who was He talking about? Apparently the other disciples; Peter’s friends and comrades. He asked Peter three times, and it states that Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love Me?" He replied, "Lord you know all things; you know that I love you."

   Has Jesus asked you lately if you love Him? His voice is sometimes so soft and gentle that we could easily ignore it except for knowing that it is Him. Even though He knows the answer, still He may ask.... "Do you love me more than these?" That’s what He requires. Loving and sweet and gentle though God is, He is also a jealous God. He requires us to have no other gods before Him. Love nothing more than we love Him.

   Not our friends, not our families, not our church, not our income or our home. He must be loved more than all these.