do you really love me ?
February 29, 2008
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.”
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.”
Jesus asked Peter again the third time the same question. However the verse says that “Peter was grieved” and instead of replying in the affirmative, he simply told him “Lord thou knowest.” To which Jesus replied, “Feed my sheep.”
A lot of people believe that Peter was grieved because he was asked three times by Jesus if he really loved him. But I don’t think this is the reason why.
To fully understand the passage let us take a closer look at the word “Love” as used in the text.
When Jesus asked Peter the first time if he loved him, the word used here is the koine greek word “agapao.” This word describes the intensity or weight of the love that Jesus was asking from Peter. This is a pure or ideal kind of love. This is a love that is willing to die for another person. Jesus was asking Peter if he loved him so much that he is willing to sacrifice his life for Jesus.
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.”
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.
In all of the three instances after asking Peter his commitment of love, Christ always ends the conversation with Feed my lambs once and feed my sheep twice. He was telling Peter that it is not enough that you say you love. You must demonstrate your love by action. That is to feed His lambs and the sheep. The lambs and sheep here being referred to are the followers of Christ.
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.
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