John 21:17 (ESV)
He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.”
I hope we have taken time to ponder on yesterday’s question. The question that Jesus directed to Simon Peter three times. Three times he gave the same answer without hesitation. How about us? Do we have a convicted answer?
If your answer is, “No, I do not.” Or “I don’t know.” “Maybe…” Then I urge you to read John 3:16 again and understand why this whole drive of Jesus dying on the cross for us. Does it mean anything at all to you? You may have to spend longer here…..(give this a deep thorough thought).
If your answer is a resounding ‘yes’ like Simon Peter, and somewhat annoyed by God’s persistent yet impertinent query, I hope you’ve taken time to reflect on why Jesus raised such a question.
Agape – an ancient Greek word ἀγάπη, agapē, points to the Greco-Christian term referring to love in the highest form. It is a sacrificial, unconditional love. It expresses the highest honour and deepest commitment. That is the kind of love God has towards us which drove Jesus Christ to the cross. Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Do you agape me?” Not once. But twice. On the third attempt, Jesus changed his expression to “Do you phileo me?”
Phileo, however, refers to a brotherly love, kindness and affection shared in a strong friendship and brotherhood. Still in the line of love, but the intensity differs greatly. When Jesus had to diminish that love from agape to phileo, it stung Peter’s heart deeply with sorrow. Therefore, he grieved. When one grieves, the heart is filled with intense sadness and the mind is troubled. At this point, he must have faced an uncovered reality – “What is the degree of my love?”
How much do we love Jesus? Love takes many different forms and styles for people. The languages of love are spoken and delivered differently by people. Our understanding of love is too shallow. In Christ and through him is the embodiment of agape, which we need to fully grasp and learn.
Do we agape him? Or, do we phileo him? Why do we love Jesus, if we claim to love him? I’ll leave you to answer the Lord…(Pray your own prayer…)
© Pr Selina Khoo Lim, Gateway City Church, Penang. 28 April 2020.