Such similar words could be uttered by lovers in this month of hearts. But such words were not uttered by one lover to another, rather these words were uttered by our Lord Jesus Christ as recorded in John chapter 21 verses 15 to 17.
The story is quite a familiar one among Christians, but I believe we cannot fully grasp the full meaning of the chapter if we do not closely investigate the meanings of the words that Jesus used.
The story begins with Jesus and Peter having dinner. During that time, Jesus asked Peter if he loved him to which Peter replied in the affirmative. Jesus told then told Peter to "feed my lambs."
Afterwards Jesus again asked Peter the same question to which he replied in the affirmative and then Jesus told him again to "Feed my sheep."
Jesus again asked Peter the same question the third time. But instead of replying in the affirmative, the verse says that "Peter was grieved" He then told the Lord "thou knowest." Jesus then replies "Feed my sheep."
Most people believe that Peter was grieved because Jesus asked him three times if he loved him. But I doubt if that is the case.
The key to understand the passage is to take a close look at the word "Love" as used by Jesus.
The first time Jesus asked Peter if he loved him, the word used by Jesus is the koine greek word "agapao." This is the word that is used to describe a love that is pure or ideal. This kind of love is that would be willing to die for another person. In effect Jesus was asking Peter if he loved him so much to the extent that would he be willing to die for him.
The answer of Peter was "Yea Lord, thou knowest that I love thee." Here Simon Peter used the greek word "Phileo" referring to a love with a lesser degree than agapao. Phileo is oftend used for "brotherly love." Jesus Christ asked Peter if he loved him to the extent that he is willing to die for him, but sadly Peter only gave him his brotherly affection.
The second time around, Jesus asked Peter if he loved him using the same word "Agapao" to which Peter answered with the same word "Phileo."
Suprisingly, the third time Jesus Christ asked Peter if he loves him, instead of using the word "Agapao" the word "Phileo" was used. In other words Jesus Christ appeared to be questioning even the brotherly love that Peter has for him. In effect, Jesus Christ was asking Peter if he was even sure that he loved him as a brother.
So now we now why Peter was grieved. It is quite obvious that Peter was not grieved because he was asked three times by our Lord if he loved him. The cause of his grief is because even the "brotherly" love that he offered was questioned by the Lord Jesus Christ. Peter then humbly replied that Jesus knows everything so there is no need to ask.
You can notice that in all three instances after Jesus asked Peter for his commitment of love, Jesus always asked him to do something for him. That is to feed his lamb and sheeps. We can see here that He was telling Peter that love must be translated into action and not just expressed by mere words.
The lesson that we can learn here is that we need to ask ourselves, do we truly love Christ. Do we love him to the extent that we are willing to give up our lives for him? We might not be able to fully understand this because we live in a free country and we are free to worship God. But what if we are tortured for Christ? Are we willing to die for His name ?
But to prove our love for him, we do not have to be tortured for our faith. All we have to do is demonstrate our love for him by being a good example to other Christians, discipling them and helping them grow in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. - 15784
The story is quite a familiar one among Christians, but I believe we cannot fully grasp the full meaning of the chapter if we do not closely investigate the meanings of the words that Jesus used.
The story begins with Jesus and Peter having dinner. During that time, Jesus asked Peter if he loved him to which Peter replied in the affirmative. Jesus told then told Peter to "feed my lambs."
Afterwards Jesus again asked Peter the same question to which he replied in the affirmative and then Jesus told him again to "Feed my sheep."
Jesus again asked Peter the same question the third time. But instead of replying in the affirmative, the verse says that "Peter was grieved" He then told the Lord "thou knowest." Jesus then replies "Feed my sheep."
Most people believe that Peter was grieved because Jesus asked him three times if he loved him. But I doubt if that is the case.
The key to understand the passage is to take a close look at the word "Love" as used by Jesus.
The first time Jesus asked Peter if he loved him, the word used by Jesus is the koine greek word "agapao." This is the word that is used to describe a love that is pure or ideal. This kind of love is that would be willing to die for another person. In effect Jesus was asking Peter if he loved him so much to the extent that would he be willing to die for him.
The answer of Peter was "Yea Lord, thou knowest that I love thee." Here Simon Peter used the greek word "Phileo" referring to a love with a lesser degree than agapao. Phileo is oftend used for "brotherly love." Jesus Christ asked Peter if he loved him to the extent that he is willing to die for him, but sadly Peter only gave him his brotherly affection.
The second time around, Jesus asked Peter if he loved him using the same word "Agapao" to which Peter answered with the same word "Phileo."
Suprisingly, the third time Jesus Christ asked Peter if he loves him, instead of using the word "Agapao" the word "Phileo" was used. In other words Jesus Christ appeared to be questioning even the brotherly love that Peter has for him. In effect, Jesus Christ was asking Peter if he was even sure that he loved him as a brother.
So now we now why Peter was grieved. It is quite obvious that Peter was not grieved because he was asked three times by our Lord if he loved him. The cause of his grief is because even the "brotherly" love that he offered was questioned by the Lord Jesus Christ. Peter then humbly replied that Jesus knows everything so there is no need to ask.
You can notice that in all three instances after Jesus asked Peter for his commitment of love, Jesus always asked him to do something for him. That is to feed his lamb and sheeps. We can see here that He was telling Peter that love must be translated into action and not just expressed by mere words.
The lesson that we can learn here is that we need to ask ourselves, do we truly love Christ. Do we love him to the extent that we are willing to give up our lives for him? We might not be able to fully understand this because we live in a free country and we are free to worship God. But what if we are tortured for Christ? Are we willing to die for His name ?
But to prove our love for him, we do not have to be tortured for our faith. All we have to do is demonstrate our love for him by being a good example to other Christians, discipling them and helping them grow in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. - 15784
About the Author:
Zigfred Diaz writes on making money online, SEO, investing, financial management, and other great topics. He is currently competing in the Busby SEO Test contest. Check out his blog today at www.zdiaz.com