Lord, You Know That I Love You

This week we conclude our series through John's gospel as we consider the final chapter. Here, Jesus draws from Peter both a confession of his love for Jesus, and the declaration that Jesus knows everything. Jesus then appoints Peter to feed and tend his sheep, explains something of the nature of his death, and commands him to "Follow me."
Earlier, with his usual zeal and determination, Peter claimed he was ready to follow Jesus anywhere, even to death. He soon found he wasn't. But now he is! And it is not Peter's courage, charisma or competency which has changed or qualifies him now to be a shepherd who will lay his life down for Jesus. It is his love for Jesus, born out of the love of God poured into his own heart - the finished work of the cross.
We too can live today in this finished work, knowing the love of God, and with a genuine love for God in our heart. We too can now "follow Jesus" knowing there is nothing better.