How much is your love for me ?
Nov 4th, 2008 by Zigfred Diaz
Such similar words could be uttered by lovers in this month of hearts. But such words were not uttered by one lover to another, rather these words were uttered by our Lord Jesus Christ as recorded in John chapter 21 verses 15 to 17.
Most Christians know about this story. Regrettably only a few really understand the meaning of what Christ said because of their failure to look closely at the words that Jesus Christ used.
The story begins with Jesus and Peter having dinner. During that time, Jesus asked Peter if he loved him to which Peter replied in the affirmative. Jesus told then told Peter to “feed my lambs.”
After a little while, Jesus again asked the same question to Peter. Peter gave him the same answer. He was then told by Jesus to “Feed my sheep.”
Jesus again asked Peter the same question the third time. But instead of replying in the affirmative, the verse says that “Peter was grieved” He then told the Lord “thou knowest.” Jesus then replies “Feed my sheep.”
Most people believe that Peter was grieved because Jesus asked him three times if he loved him. But I doubt if that is the case.
In order to fully understand the passagewe have to take close look at the word “Love” as used here.
When Jesus asked Peter the first time if he loved him, the word used here is the koine greek word “agapao.” This word describes the intensity or weight of the love that Jesus was asking from Peter. This is a pure or ideal kind of love. This is a love that is willing to die for another person. Jesus was asking Peter if he loved him so much that he is willing to sacrifice his life for Jesus.
Peter answered him “Yea Lord, thou knowest that I love thee.” The word used here by Simon Peter is the greek word “Phileo” which only refers to a love with a lesser degree than agapao. Phileo is the word used for “brotherly love.” Christ asked Peter if he loved him to the extent that he is willing to die for him, but Peter replied in the negative by offering only “brotherly love.”
The second time around, Jesus asked Peter if he loved him using the same word “Agapao” to which Peter answered with the same word “Phileo.”
However the third time Jesus Christ asked Peter if he loves him, instead of using the word “Agapao” Jesus used the word “Phileo.” In other words Jesus Christ even questioned the brotherly love that Peter has for him. Jesus Christ was asking “Peter, are you sure that you even love me as a brother.”
So here we see the most obvious reason why Peter was grieved. Peter was not grieved because he was asked by our Lord three times if he loved him. He was grieved because even the “brotherly” love that he offered was questioned by the Lord Jesus Christ. Peter humbly replied “Lord, thou knowest.”
In all of the three instances after asking Peter his commitment of love, Christ always ends the conversation with Feed my lambs once and feed my sheep twice. He was telling Peter that it is not enough that you say you love. You must demonstrate your love by action. That is to feed His lambs and the sheep. The lambs and sheep here being referred to are the followers of Christ.
The message for us is, do you we truly love Christ, that we are willing to give up our lives for him? We live in a free country and we are free to worship God. But what if we are tortured for our faith? Are we willing to die for the name of Jesus Christ?
But to prove our love for him, we do not have to be tortured for our faith. All we have to do is demonstrate our love for him by being a good example to other Christians, discipling them and helping them grow in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
