This past weekend, I was on retreat. I really treasure the quiet times retreats afford. I have learned that, especially in full-time ministry, one has to defend her personal time and space. Without our “God-times,” we would not be able to serve as effective ministers. Without these times, we would not be able to comprehend how much He loves us and the plans He has for people (including ourselves); we would miss out on grasping His heart and his intention.
During this particular retreat, I had the opportunity to spend my treasured 45 minutes alone reflecting on the encounter between Jesus and Peter in John 21, a passage that serves as a very tangible guide for how we ought to interact and “do” ministry with people. From the start of the chapter, Jesus’ love for the disciples was evident. He addressed them as friends in verse 5, and served them by redirecting their attempts to fish. He anticipated and prepared for His time with them; verse 9 tells us that a fire had been prepared in anticipation that the disciples would catch fish, along with appetizers (bread). As the disciples met with Jesus, He fed them both physically and emotionally.
This was the first time Jesus had been with them since His death and resurrection. Jesus proceeded to love them more, especially in His relationship with Peter. Their most recent encounter had been Peter's denial of Jesus. But Jesus wanted to redirect their history and thus spent significant time with Peter. In particular, Jesus thrice asked Peter, “Do you love me?”
I’ve read this passage many times, and my response had often been in step with Tina Turner's trademark song, “What’s love got to do with it?” I find myself asking, in the same emotional tone that Tina employs, “Jesus, why are you asking this of Peter? Don’t you know what’s he’s been through, what he’s experiencing?”
During this particular retreat, I had the opportunity to spend my treasured 45 minutes alone reflecting on the encounter between Jesus and Peter in John 21, a passage that serves as a very tangible guide for how we ought to interact and “do” ministry with people. From the start of the chapter, Jesus’ love for the disciples was evident. He addressed them as friends in verse 5, and served them by redirecting their attempts to fish. He anticipated and prepared for His time with them; verse 9 tells us that a fire had been prepared in anticipation that the disciples would catch fish, along with appetizers (bread). As the disciples met with Jesus, He fed them both physically and emotionally.
This was the first time Jesus had been with them since His death and resurrection. Jesus proceeded to love them more, especially in His relationship with Peter. Their most recent encounter had been Peter's denial of Jesus. But Jesus wanted to redirect their history and thus spent significant time with Peter. In particular, Jesus thrice asked Peter, “Do you love me?”
I’ve read this passage many times, and my response had often been in step with Tina Turner's trademark song, “What’s love got to do with it?” I find myself asking, in the same emotional tone that Tina employs, “Jesus, why are you asking this of Peter? Don’t you know what’s he’s been through, what he’s experiencing?”
In reading and re-reading this passage, I see what Jesus was doing: He was using that opportunity to capture Peter's attention and to bring Peter's focus back to Himself. I am reminded that indeed, Jesus is (or should be) our focus even as we attempt to be effective in ministry. We need the love of Jesus, and that love has everything do with what we are doing every moment and every minute, as we walk and breathe, even as we serve and love others. Love should be our focus, not our own successes and failures in ministry.
So as we enter the month of secular love and Valentine’s Day, I offer this as a continuation of the reflections that Chloe recently shared. We need to be struck in unexpected moments in order to realize that God’s love has everything to do with our lives and the people we encounter, influence and embrace on a daily basis. May we love as Jesus loves. I’m certainly going to endeavor to do so.
Rev. Melanie Mar Chow serves God through Asian American Christian Fellowship, the campus ministry division of the Japanese Evangelical Missionary Society (JEMS). She has been an ordained American Baptist minister since 2004. A Pacific Northwest native, she currently lives with her husband and daughter in Southern California. To contact Melanie, please send your inquiry to AAWOLblog@gmail.com.
