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

Peter’s Denial

By Shirley Mitchell

“Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard, but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the servant girl on duty there and brought Peter in.

‘You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you?’ she asked Peter.

He replied, ‘I am not.’

It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself…

Meanwhile, Simon Peter was still standing there warming himself. So they asked him, ‘You aren’t one of his disciples too, are you?’

He denied it, saying, ‘I am not.’

One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, ‘Didn’t I see you with him in the garden?’ Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.”

John 18:15-18, 25-27

The detachment of soldiers and Jewish officials bound and arrested Jesus. They brought Him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year.

Scholars believe a courtyard connected the homes of Caiaphas and Annas. They also believe the disciple who helped Peter to get into the courtyard was John. Peter didn’t get very far inside before the girl at the door asked him if he was one of the disciples. Without thinking, Peter’s defensive instincts told him to answer the servant girl, “I am not.” Fear was like a knife in his stomach. It was worse than his rage against Judas and his confusion by Jesus’ command to not defend Him. He found a spot by the fire. Our once brave Peter warmed his hands and body along with the servants and the officials. These people were part of the group that had arrested Jesus; yet, he tried to blend in. Believers don’t blend in with the enemy’s camp.

Whispers and stares amplified. Tension mounted. Then someone asked again if he was one of Jesus’ disciples. Peter denied even knowing Him. It was an hour between the second and the third denial. He had time to think about what he said and stop himself. He denied that he even knew Jesus not once by accident but three times. In Matthew 26:73, his accusers told Peter that his accent gave him away. They knew he was from Galilee. According to the next verse in Matthew 26:74, he cursed about it, too! Then, he heard the unmistakable sound of a rooster crowing.

Luke 22:60-62 says, “Peter replied, ‘Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!’ Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: ‘Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.’ And he went outside and wept bitterly.” Peter’s eyes connected with Jesus’ eyes. Jesus knew that Peter had denied Him. Jesus had even warned him because He knew Peter was going to do it. Yet, he did it anyway. I’m confident Jesus was praying for Peter then, something like, “Father, satan has sifted him, but don’t let this destroy him. When he turns back, he will strengthen the others. Holy Spirit, sear this into his mind, and invoke a reminder of My words at the right time.”

Peter left and wept bitterly. The Greek word for “wept” is klaio which means “to weep, wail, lament, not only the shedding of tears, but also every external expression of grief; to howl, to mourn, to bewail.” Peter probably beat his chest and tore his clothes. He wailed and howled. I have sat on the floor by the stage of many passion plays and watched the scene where Peter flees the courtyard after the rooster crows. The tortured voices of the grown men who have played Peter are recorded in my mind. Their cries rip my heart. Nothing grips a person like a strong grown man reduced to sorrow. One particular “Peter” collapsed to his knees as if he no longer had life in his body. His face fell to the ground, and he shook uncontrollably. He wondered how Jesus could ever forgive him. Peter wasn’t just sorry that he did it; he had sorrow that led to repentance.

Peter serves as an example to you and me. If we let our prayer guard down, we get snared. We must stay committed to prayer even when it doesn’t seem like a time of strife. Something might be brewing. If Peter could fall into satan’s trap, so can we. Our prayer guards should be mighty fortresses and not a child’s house of legos easily penetrated. We are not invincible. We worship the Invincible One.

Pray with me: We worship You our King! You are invincible! We may deny You, but You never deny us. You never turn Your back on us. You never leave us alone. We may disappoint You, but You will never abandon us and never not claim us as Yours.

Just as Jesus saw Peter, You see the times that we have failed You. You know the many times that we have denied You. We have not confessed to be Yours. We have not wanted for others to know that we are believers. You know. Yet, You still love us. Jesus, intercede for us. Turn us back to You. Give us godly sorrow that leads to repentance. Strengthen us to be more like You so that we are invincible, too. We love You, and we praise You. It’s in the Name above all names, in Jesus’ Name, Yeshua’s Name, we pray. Amen.

Excerpt from the Jesus Lives Bible study

Sifted

By Shirley Mitchell

“ ‘Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat.  But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail.  And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.’

But he replied, ‘Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.’

Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.’ “

Luke 22:31-34

My Bible says the Greek word for “you” in Luke 22:31 is plural.  In my Kentucky language, “Satan has asked to sift you all as wheat.”  All of the disciples were sifted.  In v.32, Jesus spoke directly to Peter about His specific prayer for him in this warfare.  Many scholars believe satan attacked Peter with greater force than the others.  As the leader of the disciples, he took the brunt of satan’s fury against the disciples.  Please notice that satan had to ask God for permission before he could mess with the disciples.

In the Greek, the word “sift” is siniazo which means “to sift, to shake as grain in a sieve, to agitate and prove by trials and afflictions.”  One sifts wheat by placing it in a sieve and shaking it until the tares, chaff, and perhaps stones surface and are separated.  The evil one asked to give Peter the shake-down test because he knew Peter had some fake in him.  God knew it, too.  Since satan knew where the holes were in Peter’s spiritual armor, he wanted to expose to Peter what was deep inside himself.  He wanted to heap ruin, defeat, and shame on Peter to nullify him for the kingdom of God. 

God allowed satan to sift Peter because He knew the outcome.  Jesus told him it was certain that he would turn back.  He said when, not if.

Peter had a false sense of readiness.  He thought he was ready to go to prison and to even die for Jesus.  Yet, before this night was over, he would not even be able to admit knowing Jesus!  How could he be so mistaken?

I think what I’m afraid of most in life is myself.  I know there is still some chaff in me.  I know I have not become immune to applause of man.  I know I have not become inoculated from the criticism of people.  I know my heart is prone to wander.  I know how easy it is for my body to say “Enough!  Rest and get some sleep.”  I know the gaps in my mind that lack being the mind of Christ. 

In order to press on to the goal that He has called me to, I tighten my grip to the Word of God.  I cling to the knowledge that my God is greater than the powers of this world (1 John 4:4)  that would love to ruin my testimony to the watching world, shatter my life, slap the chains back on me, and return me to the prison of darkness.  I attach myself to the truth that my God is greater than my heart that can deceive me if it is not consecrated to Him (1 John 3:20).  I realize that I am becoming immune to people’s adoration and criticism.  I realize my mind is becoming the mind of Christ.  I am growing in godliness.  I hold fast to my motivation for all that I do – the love of Christ compels me (2 Corinthians 5:14-15).  I must keep pressing on because of His great love for me and for you.

It is with tears that I type this.  I want you to know this love with every part of your being.  The love of Christ has transformed my life.  Unlike what the world tells us, people can change but only through the divine work of God.  I am changed!  I am new!  I have been filled with the love of Christ, and I desire for you to be filled with Him, too.  I yearn for you to be a new creation.  I ache for you to become one who fulfills her purpose and is a fruitful worker on the harvest field.  I appeal to you to be a mighty warrior and to take your place on the battlefield no longer shirking your duties, but living the life of a servant of Christ.

Pray with me:  Oh, LORD, I want to be transformed to be more like Christ - a new creation.  I want to fulfill my purpose and be a bondservant to Christ.  When I am sifted, help me to turn back to You.  I’m not so arrogant that I don’t know that I am susceptible to the attacks of the enemy.  I know that he has methods that will work on me.  So help me tighten my grip on Your Word so the failures will be less, and the healing time after an attack becomes shorter and shorter.  Praise You, God, that You are greater than any power in this world that dares to come against me.  Praise You, Almighty God, that You are also greater than my heart.  Praise You that Your love is so amazing that it surpasses all understanding and compels me to keep serving and worshipping You.  It’s in the Name above all names, in Jesus’ Name, Yeshua’s Name, I pray.  Amen.

Excerpt from the Jesus Lives Bible study