How do you love me?

But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father in heaven. Matthew 10:33

Do you believe in God? YES/NO

If YES - what is so clever about that? Even the devil believes in God. In fact he knows God because he met Him face to face; he even rebelled against Him.

So, you say you believe in God. How do you believe in God? Is saying you believe in Him enough? Is praying to God enough? 

Let's ask the question another way. Do you love God?

You know what's coming next - How do you love God?

“Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet's reward; and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous; and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a Disciple, truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.” Matthew 10:37-42.

You might need to read this passage more than once for it to make sense. 

On first reading, this looks as if God, or Jesus, is selfish and demands that we love Him more than anyone or anything else.

But I don't think this is what Jesus meant here. Remember, He was talking to His contemporaries who understood what He was saying, and the nuances and figures of speech of the time.

I think what Jesus is teaching here is that love of parents, offspring, or even love of life itself is a sacred mission as created by God. It is our duty, obligation even, to love our parents, spouses, children and ‘neighbours’.

It should not be a burden.

Let me explain.

When you were young you were probably given tasks to do by your parents. Like helping clear the table after meals, or making your bed, or cleaning your room. You probably did these tasks as a duty. As a commitment. Probably with gritted teeth and obedience.

Or did you do it out of love?

What Jesus is teaching here is that our love for Him should not be a burden or a commitment. But it should be a joy. We should be glad to have the opportunity to love God.

Let me say this important bit again: We should be glad to have the opportunity to love God.

Before His crucifixion Peter denied Jesus three times.

After the Resurrection, when Jesus met the Disciples by the lake, He asked Peter "do you love me?" three times. One for each time Peter denied Him. To reinforce the point that to love Jesus (and God) is a privilege we should enter into willingly, joyfully and happily - as well as obeying His Commandment to do so.

By "loving" Jesus in here it means having full confidence in Him. Being sure of Who He is, the Son of God; and acknowledging what He has done for us and continues to do. 

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. Matthew 22:37.