John 21:15 – 17 “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.”
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.”
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.”
Whew. What a powerful passage. I can feel the intensity, just reading it. But the English language doesn’t actually do the conversation justice. Our word for love was actually represented by two different words in Greek. The word agape means unconditional, self-sacrificing love. The word phileo means friendship, or brotherly love. It is not nearly as powerful as agape love.
Let’s take another look at that passage, as it was actually spoken: (My own paraphrase.)
Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me without conditions?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know I’m your buddy.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me enough to sacrifice for me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I’m your friend.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, are you even my friend?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Are you even my friend?” He said, “Lord, you know all things. You know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.”
Well. That makes it even more intense, don’t you think? Jesus was cornering Peter. He needed to get Peter’s attention, for the future of the church depended on Peter’s loyalty. After all, hadn’t Jesus told Peter that he was the rock on which the church would be built? Peter, or Petras, meant rock. Jesus needed to make sure Peter was ready for the task before him.
And the task? Feed the sheep. Make disciples. Love people, and point them to God.
No matter what.
I wonder, if Jesus were sitting next to me, what He might ask. Would He ask, “Renae, do you love me?”
Of course I’d say, “Yes, Lord, You know I love You.”
And His response?
Feed my sheep.
No “Sloppy Agape” in that passage!
Thanks, Anne. I had no idea you were such a gifted poet. 😉