"Do You Love Me?”

^“ When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.” (John 21:15-25 ESV)

We all know this as the reinstatement of Peter. It was Jesus' way of saying to Peter, Despite your failures and denials. I have chosen for you to come to me.  In doing so, Peter also reminds us of God’s unfailing love for His children.

At this point, the Apostles had seen Jesus twice since the resurrection. But Peter was full of self-doubt. Today, we would probably say he needed therapy, some kind of treatment for what he had been through, and so on. Yet, Peter was eventually publicly restored by Jesus. Remember, the Apostles had gone back to fishing. They had not yet received the Spirit, and most likely were feeling lost and powerless. So, they went back to what they knew, fishing. Christ appeared to them again after they had eaten breakfast together. He restored Peter.

Jesus called out to Peter, “Simon, son of John.” This must have been startling to Him because the Lord named him Peter. It is like when you did something wrong and your mother called you by your entire name. Peter was singled out before the other apostles, and Jesus asked him three times, “Do you love me?”—once for each time he had denied the Lord. Jesus used the Greek word agapao (ἀγαπάω) or agapas (ἀγαπᾷς), depending on the translation, which is the Greek word used to describe the highest, purest form of divine love. This type of love is the key to commitment to the Lord.

Even in Peter’s claim to love the Lord, he did not use the word agapao because he knew it was not at that level. How heartbreaking this must have been for Peter. Peter also relied on Jesus’ omniscience: “You know I love you.” Even in Peter's weakness and frailty, Jesus said, “Feed my Lambs.” Jesus gave him a critical and crucial ministry to the new church, just as He assigns ministries to us in our brokenness.

Love is the root of Christianity. You love what you are devoted to and will serve only that. We must love and treasure Christ above all things. Our disobedience is a love for something other than Christ. So, do you love Jesus more than (fill in the blank)? We must live our lives compelled by our love for Jesus.

Perhaps the reason we love Peter so much is that he reminds us of ourselves. Peter was brash. He was overly self-confident, believing he was in control of his life. Peter thought he understood everything, when in fact he understood nothing. He failed Christ often. He swore to follow Christ to death, and in the next breath, he denied Christ. We are much like Peter. But this is okay. It is okay because our brokenness is what draws us to Christ. It is what allows us to understand our need for a Savior. Yes, God uses the righteous, but looking around me, it seems as though the broken are given the greatest of tasks.

Maybe that is God's plan. He knows that because we know that only God can make these tasks successful. We recognize He is in control, not us. When Jesus asks you, “Do you love me?” how will you answer?

Find Salvation in the finished work of Christ. Seek Jesus now.

Grace and Peace.