15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?"
"Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."
16 Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?"
He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."
17 The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Feed my sheep."
I am sitting by the edge of the Sea of Galilee – right where Jesus spoke these Words to Pete – right there, where the sparks and spirits were flying upward and the breakfast and hearts were sizzling over the warmth of His fire. I read these Words from Scripture aloud and the power of them weighed heavy on me. Even as I write this my mind drifts back to that setting and the graciousness and strength of the Master’s Words. The stone I pick up from the seashore - smoothed clean by the water - reminiscent of my spirit as the Living Water washes it clean with His Word. Peter the impetuous, Peter the denier, Peter the turncoat, Peter the deserter, Peter the one that failed – here Jesus lovingly reinstates – could there be hope for another as well? King David’s words come to mind:
8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. 9 He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; 10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. Psalms 103:8-12 (NIV)
One surely cannot deny the similarities of this situation – Hadn’t Peter boastfully proclaimed that even if all the others fell away, he never would? Hadn’t Peter denied our Lord warming himself around a fire? Hadn’t Peter denied the Lord Jesus three times? The once over-confident Peter, like the famed Humpty Dumpty had suffered a severe fall yet unlike Humpty, Jesus was about to put the broken pieces of Peter’s life back together again. Jesus is the Master of making beauty from our ashes it was part of His job description – praise Him! The Prophet Isaiah prophesizes regarding the Lord Jesus future work:
2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion-- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. Isaiah 61:2-3 (NIV)
Our verses for today are heavy with Truth and worthy of weighty exposition – much more than two meager pages allow from the pen of a novice. The Greek wording alone is a study in and of itself. We will therefore zero in on just two facts presented here: Love Jesus, Love others.
In this passage, Jesus uses a higher form of the word love – Agapao - in His first two questions to Peter meaning to “love, esteem, cherish, favor, honor, respect, prize, relish, be devoted to; rooted in the mind and will of the subject, to value; it is God’s love towards man.” Only the third inquiry to Peter does our Lord stoop down, lowering the love to Phileo meaning “to be fond of, to love as a dear friend, friendship love, to have affection for someone.” Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible – New Testament Lexical Aids. Interestingly, Peter responds all three times with Phileo love. He knew he loved the Lord but he also knew all too well the weakness of his own flesh. Unwilling to espouse the highest form he chooses rather to content himself with what he felt in his heart. Even a child knows what he feels and whom he loves. Jesus wording shows He will begin with that. Our Lord meets us where we are – Hallelujah for that!
This series of questions to Peter by Jesus are for our benefit as well. Who can claim they have not denied Him? Who has not failed Him? Who has not been in need of restoration and reinstating? Do we love Christ? This is the great question without which there is no vitality to our faith. There is no life where there is no love. He can look over our want of knowledge and our want of faith but He must have love. Wherever there is true grace there will be a consciousness of love towards the Lord Jesus. Furthermore, the grand test of that love is our usefulness for Christ and obedience to His commands. Working for Him is the great proof of our loving Him – it is the best evidence of being a true hearted disciple. We are to live for others, care for others, minister to others, do good to others. It is following in Jesus’ steps as our Lord came to seek and to save that which was lost – He came not to be served but to serve. We are to go and do likewise. He loves most that is most like Jesus.
“You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving.” Amy Carmichael
“He says not to Peter, Art thou wise? or learned? or eloquent? But Lovest thou Me? Then feed. Love to Christ begets love to His people’s souls, which are so precious to Him, and a care of feeding them.” Leighton
6 Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. 1 John 2:6 (NIV)