PsalmTree

 John 21:15-19 

Jesus and Peter

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”

😇 Peter and Jesus were having a failure to communicate. Two time, Jesus asked “do you love (agape) me?” Two times Peter responded with “yes, Lord, you know that I love (Phileo ) you.” They were literally speaking a different language. 

With the believer, agapáō ("to love") means actively doing what the Lord chooses, by His power and direction. True agapáō ("loving") is always defined as “Christ living in me.”

On the other hand, philos; means “to be a friend to” or “have affection for (denoting personal attachment, as a matter of sentiment or feeling; specially, to kiss (as a mark of tenderness) -- kiss, love.

Peter answered a question Jesus didn’t ask…twice. But, it was a fair question; Peter had recently denied knowing Jesus…3 times. Peter probably didn’t feel adequate to suggest he loved Jesus “body, soul and spirit.”

Finally, Jesus asked, “do you love (phileo) me?” Jesus makes a concession…adopting the word Peter had twice used to express his love for Jesus. This is why ‘Peter was grieved’ so much; that Jesus seemed willing to accept the human form of love which he had professed.

Jesus graciously accepted it and said “Follow me.”

We all have denied Christ countless times…even as we profess to love Him. By His grace and mercy, each time He will ask us “do you agape me?” He desires us to say “yes, Lord, I agape you.” Yet, he understands such a bold claim may be beyond our conviction in the face of failure. The good news is, although not up to His standard, Jesus will accept our best human reply…for awhile. But, agape is still the gold standard for our relationship with Christ. 

🙏🏼 Father, God…you know I have failed to love you with all my heart. I’m often embarrassed by this and am hesitant to boldly proclaim I’ve met your standard. Thank you for your patience with me. Thank you, also, for reminding me what it truly means to love (agape) you. Empower your Holy Spirit to do, in me, what I’ve proven I cannot do for myself. In the powerful name of your Son, I pray, amen.