Masculinity - Loyalty Pt 2

 "Jesus said to Simon Peter, 'Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?' e said to him, 'Yes Lord; you know that I love you.' He said to him, 'Feed my lambs.'" John 21:15

"You stand up for your teammates. Your loyalty is to them. You protect them through good and bad, because they'd do the same for you." Yogi Berra

Yes, you read that correctly, a quote from the great Yogi Berra that actually makes incredible sense. You know the kind, like, " Little League is a good thing because it keeps the parents off the street," or "90% of the game is half mental." Did you know, though, that Yogi was part of the landing force in Normandy? Yogi was part of the naval support in that invasion, and he was wounded in his efforts to pilot his boat to give cover fire for the troops in the landing. He received the Purple Heart. Yogi, it seems, understands loyalty from the John 15 passage, "Greater love has no one than this, that someone should lay down his life for his friends." That sums up faithfulness and loyalty well. Click here for more information on Yogi's service in the war.

So, loyalty on the team means being part of something greater than yourself. We see Jesus asking this of Jesus. Peter, you insist on following me, do you love me more than these? If so, take care of my sheep (people). This is part of the healing process Christ offers Peter after his denial of Christ during his arrest. Peter denied him three times, and in John 21, Christ will press the question three times to confirm Peter's love for Christ. Christ is ultimately showing us loyalty in that His love for us gives us the forgiveness needed for salvation. He forgave as we are to forgive.

So, loyalty means being in service with others for something greater than ourselves. A team that strives for excellence. An organization committed to public good. A church committed to sharing the Good News of Christ and the difference He makes in our lives and the love between the fellowship as a result. So much so that even the great Yogi Berra got it straight, we pray that we do as well as followers of Christ.