Do You Love Me More Than These?

These words were not spoken by lovers, but were asked by our Lord Jesus Christ as as stated in John chapter 21 verses 15 to 17.

Most Christians know about this story. Regrettably only a few really understand the meaning of what Christ said because of their failure to look closely at the words that Jesus Christ 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."

After a little while, Jesus again asked the same question to Peter. Peter gave him the same answer. He was then told by Jesus to "Feed my sheep."

The third time around, Jesus ask Peter the same question. But this time instead of answering "yes" the verse says that "Peter was grieved" He then said to the Lord that "thou knowest." Jesus then instructed him to "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.

In order to fully understand the passagewe have to take close look at the word "Love" as used here.

At the first instance, when Jesus asked Peter if he loved him, the word used by him is the koine greek word "agapao." In other words the intensity or weight of the love that Jesus was talking about is a pure or ideal kind of love, such love that would be willing to die for another person. In other words Jesus was asking Peter if he loved him so much to the extent that Peter would die for him.

Peter answered him "Yea Lord, thou knowest that I love thee." The word used here by Simon Peter is the greek word "Phileo" which only refers to a love with a lesser degree than agapao. Phileo is the word used for "brotherly love." Christ asked Peter if he loved him to the extent that he is willing to die for him, but Peter replied in the negative by offering only "brotherly love."

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."

However the third time Jesus Christ asked Peter if he loves him, instead of using the word "Agapao" Jesus used the word "Phileo." In other words Jesus Christ even questioned the brotherly love that Peter has for him. Jesus Christ was asking "Peter, are you sure that you even love me as a brother."

Now we can see the real reason why Peter was grieved. It was not because he was asked three times by Jesus if he loved him. Peter was grieved because even his brotherly affection for our Lord was questioned by no less than Jesus himself. Having no answer, Peter just humbly told the Lord that He knows everything already.

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 ?

Thanks be to God that we do not have to be tortured for our faith to prove our love for him. All He ask of us is that we be good examples to other Christians, to disciple them and help them grow in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.


About the Author:

Everyday may not be valentines day and Zigfred Diaz may not always blog about love meanings everyday but he regularly write about several interesting topics including how to invest in the Philippine stock market, financial management, investments, as well as other informative topics Don't waste time, Visit his blog today !!!

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do you love me more than these ?
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