August 7th, 2023
Monday, Aug. 7
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, 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.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, 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 everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. -John 21:15-17
Jesus asked Peter, “Do you agape me?” (unconditional love) and Peter replied, “Yes, Lord; you know that I phileo you.” (Brotherly/friendship love)
Mission was Jesus’s response before He asks Peter again, “Do you agape me?” and “Phileo” Peter responds. “You know that I phileo you!”
For years I’ve wondered why Peter sees a resurrected Jesus and responds to Jesus’s question with, “I love you like a brother,” over, “I love you unconditionally.” Maybe Peter said brotherly love because he was scared of what would be asked If he spoke out loud unconditionally. Maybe it’s because Peter was answering honestly knowing he had just denied Christ and in that moment it wasn’t unconditional. Maybe it’s because Peter thought brotherly love was even closer. I don’t know and truthfully either do you. We weren’t there. What we do know is despite Peter’s answer Jesus’ purpose was unchanged. Mission. Jesus responded with mission. “Feed my sheep.”
My point?
Jesus knew despite where Peter was in that moment he would grow into agape. So much so Peter would eventually face death for His savior turned friend. Have you ever stopped to consider the beautiful way that God loves us? Before we’re completely sold out on Him, He already speaks mission and purpose into our lives.
On the days you phileo Jesus, He still agapes you.
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, 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.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, 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 everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. -John 21:15-17
Jesus asked Peter, “Do you agape me?” (unconditional love) and Peter replied, “Yes, Lord; you know that I phileo you.” (Brotherly/friendship love)
Mission was Jesus’s response before He asks Peter again, “Do you agape me?” and “Phileo” Peter responds. “You know that I phileo you!”
For years I’ve wondered why Peter sees a resurrected Jesus and responds to Jesus’s question with, “I love you like a brother,” over, “I love you unconditionally.” Maybe Peter said brotherly love because he was scared of what would be asked If he spoke out loud unconditionally. Maybe it’s because Peter was answering honestly knowing he had just denied Christ and in that moment it wasn’t unconditional. Maybe it’s because Peter thought brotherly love was even closer. I don’t know and truthfully either do you. We weren’t there. What we do know is despite Peter’s answer Jesus’ purpose was unchanged. Mission. Jesus responded with mission. “Feed my sheep.”
My point?
Jesus knew despite where Peter was in that moment he would grow into agape. So much so Peter would eventually face death for His savior turned friend. Have you ever stopped to consider the beautiful way that God loves us? Before we’re completely sold out on Him, He already speaks mission and purpose into our lives.
On the days you phileo Jesus, He still agapes you.
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