LOVE

John 21:15-19

15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.” 16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. 18 Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” 19 This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.”



This is a well-known passage: When Jesus had to ask Peter 3 times if Peter loved Him. However, many of us do not understand the whole meaning of it! The reason is because this Bible is TRANSLATED.



The actual words that Jesus used each time are AGAPE, AGAPE and finally, PHILIAS- there IS a difference in these words!

Jesus asks Peter twice if he AGAPEs Him, and Peter twice replies that he PHILIASes Him. The third time, Jesus then lowers Himself to Peter's standard by asking Peter if he PHILIASes Him..and thus Peter is grieved because the third time, Jesus had to lower himself to what Peter could offer Him.

This illustrates how Jesus also lowered Himself to take on human form (i.e. our standards), and shows that He lowers himself to what we can offer Him when we cannot reach His level!

This was a humbling experience for Peter (note that Jesus asks Peter this question 3 times- which is the same number of times Peter denied Him when He was crucified.) However, after He did that, Peter became His most effective servant! -Note:In 1 & 2 Peter, Peter never uses 'PHILIAS' anymore , but the love words shown there are all 'AGAPE'. Surely, pride comes before a downfall.

Are we willing to surrender our lives to Christ? Many might unwittingly say 'Yes!' but yet know not how great a scope this covers. If we are not faithful in little things, how can we be faithful in great things? (Read the parable of Talents):

Matthew 25
14 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them.
15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.

16 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents.
17 And likewise he who had received two gained two more also.
18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money.

19 After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.

20 “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’
21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

22 He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’
23 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

24 “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed.
25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’

26 “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed.
27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest.

28 So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.

29 ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.

30 And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’



Yup. If we cant give ourselves for hours or days, how will we give ourselves for a Lifetime!

The Lord does not do things without a reason- he provided you with your job / school so that we can Feed God's Sheep and Plead for Christ's Cause!

If you are going to be a bridge for God- expect to be WALKED UPON.

Meditate upon this (: