lovest thou me ?
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Those words could be said by lovers in this month of hearts. However such words were not said by one lover to another, rather they were uttered by our Lord Jesus Christ as written 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 goes like this, as Jesus and Peter were having dinner, Jesus asked Peter if he loved him to which Peter replied “Yes” and then Jesus told him to “feed my lambs.”
Later on Jesus ask Peter again the same question to which Peter gave the same reply. Jesus told him to “Feed my sheep.”
The third time around, Jesus ask Peter the same question. But this time instead of answering “yes” the verse says that “Peter was grieved” He then said to the Lord that “thou knowest.” Jesus then instructed him to “Feed my sheep.”
Several people believe that Peter was grieved because Jesus repeatedly asked if he loved him. But I believe there is another reason why Peter was grieved.
The key to understand the passage is to take a close look at the word “Love” as used by Jesus.
At the first instance, when Jesus asked Peter if he loved him, the word used by him is the koine greek word “agapao.” In other words the intensity or weight of the love that Jesus was talking about is a pure or ideal kind of love, such love that would be willing to die for another person. In other words Jesus was asking Peter if he loved him so much to the extent that Peter would die for him.
At this instance Peter answered him “Yea Lord, thou knowest that I love thee.” The greek word here used by Simon Peter is the word “Phileo” refering to a love with a lesser degree than agapao. This is the word used for “brotherly love.” Jesus asked Peter if he loved him to the extent that he is willing to die for him, but Peter offered only his “brotherly love.”
Jesus Christ asked Peter again the second time, using the word “Agapao.” Peter still answered him using “Phileo.”
Suprisingly, the third time Jesus Christ asked Peter if he loves him, instead of using the word “Agapao” the word “Phileo” was used. In other words Jesus Christ appeared to be questioning even the brotherly love that Peter has for him. In effect, Jesus Christ was asking Peter if he was even sure that he loved him as a brother.
Now we can see the real reason why Peter was grieved. It was not because he was asked three times by Jesus if he loved him. Peter was grieved because even his brotherly affection for our Lord was questioned by no less than Jesus himself. Having no answer, Peter just humbly told the Lord that He knows everything already.
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 application for us is this, how much do we truly love Jesus Christ ?. Do we love him so much that we are willing to die for him? We may not be able to answer this question correctly considering that we live in a free country and we are free to worship God. But what if we are tortured for our faith in Christ? Are we willing to die for the name of Christ ?
However we do not have to be tortured for our faith to prove that we truly love him. All Jesus requires of us to demonstrate our love for him is that we be good examples to other Christians. He ask us to disciple them and help them grow in the faith.
