“So
when they had dined, Jesus saith to Peter, lovest thou me?” John 21 15-17
Three
times consecutively, Jesus asked Peter if he loved him. Consider the thoughts going through Peter’s
mind; one question offers a quick and simple yes, a second question provides a
more direct and reconfirming assurance, but a third question requires a self
reflection of love and rather or not you have truly offered it. Peter’s
encounter with Jesus occurred after his denial of Jesus at His arrest in
Jerusalem. Jesus was offering Peter an experience that would remove a cloud of
regret and hurt that obviously engulfed his heart and mind. But, Jesus made it clear, its one thing to
say you love Jesus, but the real measure of love is your willingness to serve
Him in any situation. The first two
questions concerning “love” Jesus used the Greek word Agape (unconditional) when seeking Peter’s heart, the third time
Jesus used the Greek word Phileo (affection,
brotherly love). Jesus does not settle
for quick, superficial answers. Jesus has a way of getting to the heart of the
matter. Peter had to face his true feelings and motives when confronted by
Jesus. How would you answer the One, who
truly knows your heart, when he asked “Do you love me? Do you really love me? Are
you even my friend?”
A
love un-shown is a love un-grown; a love un-grown is a love that goes un-known!
HSAY…Todd
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