"Peter, Do You Love Me?"

John 21:15-17

New Living Translation (NLT)

15 After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.”

“Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.

16 Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

“Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.”

“Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said.

17 A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep...”

            If you are at all familiar with the biblical timeline, then you’ll remember that this passage takes place shortly after Jesus’ Resurrection. Only a few days earlier, at the Last Super, the Apostle Peter had boldly proclaimed that he would never desert Jesus; that he would rather die than deny Him. A few hours later, he denied Christ three times.  The Gospel of Luke paints a dramatic picture of the scene.

Luke 22:54-62

New Living Translation (NLT)

54 So they arrested him and led him to the high priest’s home. And Peter followed at a distance. 55 The guards lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat around it, and Peter joined them there. 56 A servant girl noticed him in the firelight and began staring at him. Finally she said, “This man was one of Jesus’ followers!”

57 But Peter denied it. “Woman,” he said, “I don’t even know him!”

58 After a while someone else looked at him and said, “You must be one of them!”

“No, man, I’m not!” Peter retorted.

59 About an hour later someone else insisted, “This must be one of them, because he is a Galilean, too.”

60 But Peter said, “Man, I don’t know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed.

61 At that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Suddenly, the Lord’s words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.” 62 And Peter left the courtyard, weeping bitterly.

            Not only did Peter deny that he ever knew Jesus, he said it to His face. (verse 61) Jesus was their, most likely being escorted to either Herod or Pontius Pilate, the Roman Governor of Judea. He heard Peter’s denial. And Peter turned and left, weeping bitterly, his heart broken in shame.

            He was at his lowest point in this verse. But even though Peter abandoned God, God never abandoned Peter.  When Jesus was raised from the dead, he sought him out on the shores of the Sea of Galilee and he asked him, “Peter, do you love me?”

 Now, in English, we have one word for love. But this passage was written in Greek. And the Greeks had four words they used to describe the different aspects of love: Eros (Erotic, Sexual Love) Philia (Friendship, or brotherly love) Storge (Affection) and, of course, Agape [agápē](Unconditional, sacrificial love)

In John 21, when Jesus asks, “Peter, do you love me?” He uses the word Agape [agápē]. He is asking if Peter loves him unconditionally. Peter, however, replies using the word Philia, saying, “Yes Lord, you know I love you [like a brother.]”

Jesus repeats the question, again using Agape [agápē]. And again Peter replies with the word Philia. Then Jesus does something interesting; He uses Philia in verse 17. You see, Peter couldn’t bring himself to use the word Agape [agápē], because of his shame. But Jesus didn’t hold it against him, he met Peter where he was and said, “Simon son of John, do you love me? [like a brother.]”

            Jesus said, “Healthy People don’t need a doctor—sick people do.” (Matthew 9:11 NLT) God doesn’t say, “Get your act together, and then we’ll talk about your salvation.” He says, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30 NLT)

            God knows we can’t fix ourselves, that’s why Jesus had to die for us. He doesn’t demand the impossible in exchange for His mercy; He offers it freely. (Ephesians 2:8-9) No matter how far we fall, He is always there to pick us up again.

             God meets people where they are.  

“For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.” (Luke 19:10 NLT)