Do You Love Me?

By Shirley Mitchell

“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.’ ”

John 21:15-17

Jesus made Peter affirm his devotion and commitment to Him three times. It was three times that Peter had denied him. Peter was commissioned the first time into ministry through the first miraculous draught of fish. Peter forfeited his commission around a fire of coals in a courtyard of the high priest when Jesus was arrested and tried. There he denied Jesus three times. Jesus recommissioned Peter around another campfire after the second miraculous catch of fish. Let’s break down the words of this recommisioning. Below, I have replaced the English words with the Greek words so that you can understand their conversation.

1st Time: Jesus said, “Agape Me more than these?”

Peter responded, “Yes, Lord, you know that I phileo thee.”

Jesus said, “Boskeso My lambs.”

2nd Time: Jesus said, “Agape Me?”

Peter responded, “Yes, Lord, you know that I phileo thee.”

Jesus said, “Poimano My sheep.”

3rd Time: Jesus said, “Phileo Me?”

Peter responded, “Yes, Lord, you know that I phileo thee.”

Jesus said, “Boskeso My sheep.”

Here are the definitions of the Greek words:

Agapao: “to love for the sake of meeting another’s need; is used of love towards our enemies; is love that expresses compassion.”

Phileo: “to be a friend of and consequently, to adopt the same interests and become friends.”

Boskeso: “to feed sheep, to pasture or tend while grazing.”

Poimaino: “shepherd, tend; involves total care. Implies the whole office of the shepherd as guiding, guarding, folding of the flock as well as leading it to nourishment.”

The expression “more than these” referred to either the fish or the love of the other disciples present. Peter had returned to his occupation out of familiarity and security, not out of passion. Peter had boasted that his devotion to Jesus exceeded that of the other disciples, but his denial proved how wrong he had been. Peter merely answers, “Yes, I love You.” Peter elected to be his friend, which was contradictory to his behavior when he denied Him and did not adopt for himself the same interests as the Lord Jesus.

The last question grieved Peter because he understood the deeper meaning. It matched the number of Peter’s denials. Additionally, Jesus changed to the same word for love as Peter had used. Peter failed to rise to the level of love that Jesus used where Peter could meet Jesus’ needs. Peter could not say ”agape love” because he felt like he had not met Jesus’ needs because he deserted Jesus when He needed him the most. Peter felt something like, “Yes, Lord your interests are my interests, but I am not sure that I can meet your needs.” However, Jesus was sure that Peter could feed the lambs and tend the sheep.

Peter was to feed people the Word of God, God’s Story. God’s Word has power that we have not yet begun to fully realize. God’s Word generates life (Genesis 1:3, 24), creates faith (Romans 10:17), guarantees our home in heaven (Luke 23:43), defeats temptation (Matthew 4:4), transforms us (Romans 12:2), brings miracles (Mark 4:39), builds character (Psalm 119), revives the soul and makes the simple wise (Psalm 19:7), and teaches, rebukes, corrects, and trains in righteousness so that people will be thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Let’s close today with some creative license that I took to write Peter’s thoughts in these few seconds as he made the most important decision of his life. If there is any part of Peter’s struggle to live completely for Jesus that relates to your life, highlight it.

Peter looked at Jesus and remembered the past 3½ years. He remembered the Samaritan woman who found forgiveness and dignity. He remembered Jesus’ teaching that He did not come to do away with the Law of Moses and the prophets, but to fulfill them. He remembered the sinful woman who valued Jesus’ unfailing love so much that she was not ashamed to lavish love upon Him. He remembered walking on the water to Jesus. He remembered how he declared boldly to Jesus that He was the Christ, the Messiah. He remembered Jesus transfigured with His face shining like the sun and clothes radiant white. He remembered Jesus’ commanding tone at Lazarus’ grave. He remembered the “Hosannas” from the crowd. He remembered the night of Jesus’ arrest.

All Jesus was asking him to do was to love Him, follow Him, and feed His sheep. He knew the road would be long and tough. His enemy satan would be looking for him again. Peter had failed his first battle with his enemy who ripped him to shreds with his lion’s claws. He chewed him up and left his carcass. News of Jesus’ crucifixion had spread quickly throughout the region. People who knew Peter had heard that this boasting disciple had denied even knowing him. Peter was shamed publicly. The enemy would be asking for another opportunity to get to Peter, deeming him as easy prey now.

Why would Peter go back to the battle? The answer lies in Jesus’ question. He asked, “Simon, do you love Me? Search your heart, Simon. Do you really love Me?” By forcing Peter to answer this question three times, Jesus was driving home to Peter, “All you really need to serve Me is to love Me. If your heart belongs to Me, then I will equip you with the Holy Spirit. I will orchestrate your circumstances. I will send you where I want you to go. I will protect you from the evil one until your purpose is fulfilled. You just need to love Me.” The only motivation that could pay so high a cost is love. Only love would make Peter willing to glorify God by giving up his own life. The love of Christ compelled Peter to join the battle and spread the Gospel to the world.

This time, Peter knew more about what he was getting into. He had no idea of this wild ride 3½ years ago. Now he knew to expect the unexpected. He gazed into Jesus’ eyes, the very Son of the Living God. Jesus seemed so confident that Peter could do this. In the presence of Jesus, he felt alive again. He was no longer confident in his own strength, but in Jesus’ strength. The one thing that he knew now was Jesus, not fishing. Fear dissipated. Humiliation disappeared. Dislike for himself faded. He made the decision that he loved Jesus so much that he would do it. He resolved that satan’s schemes would not prevail. Because of this love that compelled him, Peter did it. He accepted his mission and set his face toward wherever Jesus told him to go.

Pray with me: Oh, LORD, my God, I release my fear and my disappointments about past failures to You. I may have been defeated by the enemy previously, but I won’t stop. I know that I truly love You. I agape You. Because of this love that compels me, I accept the mission that You have for my life. I set my face toward wherever You tell me to go. I will live the life of love! It’s in the Name above all names, in Jesus’ Name, Yeshua’s Name, I pray. Amen.

Excerpt from the Jesus Lives Bible study