“Then when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these do?’ He replied ‘Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.’ Jesus told him, ‘Feed my lambs.’
“Jesus said a second time, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me’ He replied, ‘Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.’ Jesus told him, ‘Shepherd my sheep.’
“Jesus said a third time, ‘Do you love me?’ and he said ‘Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.’ Jesus relied, ‘Feed my sheep.’” —John 21:15–17
I am sitting by the edge of the Sea of Galilee—right where Jesus spoke these words to Peter—right where the sparks were flying upward and the breakfast was sizzling over the warmth of the fire. I read these words from Scripture aloud and the power of them weighs heavy on me. My mind focuses on the setting and the graciousness and strength of the Master’s words. Here Jesus lovingly reinstates Peter. Peter the impetuous, Peter the denier, Peter the deserter, Peter the one that failed.
King David’s words come to mind:
“The LORD is compassionate and merciful, he is patient and demonstrates great loyal love. He does not always accuse, and does not stay angry. He does not deal with us as our sins deserve; he does not repay us as our misdeeds deserve. For as the skies are high above the earth so his loyal love towers over his faithful followers. As far as the eastern horizon is from the west, so he removes the guilt of our rebellious actions from us.” —Psalm 103:8–12
Hadn’t Peter proclaimed that even if all the others fell away, he never would? And yet, hadn’t Peter denied our Lord not just once, but three times? The over-confident Peter, like the famous Humpty Dumpty, had suffered a great fall. However, unlike Humpty, who couldn’t be put back together, Jesus was about to put the broken pieces of Peter’s life together again. Jesus is the master of making beauty from our ashes! The prophet Isaiah foretold:
“To announce the year when the LORD will show his favor, the day when our God will seek vengeance, to console all who mourn, to strengthen those who mourn in Zion, by giving them a turban, instead of ashes, oil symbolizing joy, instead of mourning, a garment symbolizing praise, instead of discouragement. They will be called oaks of righteousness trees planted by the LORD to reveal his splendor.” —Isaiah 61:2–3
The passage of scripture for today contains two important principles: Love Jesus, love others.
In this passage, Jesus uses a form of the word love–agapao–in His first two questions to Peter that means 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 with the third inquiry to Peter does Jesus lower his expectation, using a different word for love, the wordphileo 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 the word for phileo love. Peter knew he loved the Lord, but he also knew all too well the weakness of his own flesh. Unwilling to agree to Jesus’ high expectation, he responds instead with what he truly felt in his heart. And Jesus response shows that He will begin with that level of commitment. Our Lord meets us where we are!
Become More
This series of questions to Peter applies to us 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 truly love Jesus? This is a great question! There is no life where there is no love. Jesus will look over our want of knowledge and our want of faith, but He must have our love. And the grand test of that love is our obedience to Him in all things. We are to live for others, care for others, minister to others, do good to others. He loves most that is most like Jesus.
Further Reflections
“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.” —Archbishop Leighton
“The one who says he resides in God ought himself to walk just as Jesus walked.” —1 John 2:6