LOVEST THOU ME MORE THAN THESE?

Jesus asked Peter these words over two thousand years ago, as He walked the earth in the form of a man—humbling Himself—even taking on the form of a servant, to die in our stead. Today, these words still ring with utter clarity, “Lovest thou me, more than these? How much do we really love others? How much do we love dying souls—and what will we give up, for them?

The Amplified Version of this passage of Scripture breaks it down this way: “ When they had eaten, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these [others do—with reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion, as one loves the Father]? He said to Him, Yes, Lord, You know that I love You [that I have deep, instinctive, personal affection for You, as for a close friend]. He said to him, Feed My lambs.

 Again He said to him the second time, Simon, son of John, do you love Me [with reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion, as one loves the Father]? He said to Him, Yes, Lord, You know that I love You [that I have a deep, instinctive, personal affection for You, as for a close friend]. He said to him, Shepherd (tend) My sheep.

 He said to him the third time, Simon, son of John, do you love Me [with a deep, instinctive, personal affection for Me, as for a close friend]? Peter was grieved (was saddened and hurt) that He should ask him the third time, Do you love Me? And he said to Him, Lord, You know everything; You know that I love You [that I have a deep, instinctive, personal affection for You, as for a close friend]. Jesus said to him, Feed My sheep.”  [St. John 21:15-17]

Jesus is asking for proof of the kind of love Peter has for Him—and for His people. Jesus is not only speaking of one kind of love. In the English language we have one word for love—we use love to say that we have a fondness for, have passion for, have affection for and even obsession for people places and things. We use one word to show “love” for God, man, beast and material things—but most languages do not express love in the same way; most are more distinct. In Greek, love is broken down in several different categories, and John utilizes two of them in this portion of Scripture to determine Peter’s devotion and fitness to lead God’s people. Jesus knew Pentecost was on the horizon, and He also knew that before Pentecost came there would be doubt, fear, wrath and uncertainty in Peter, but what had to be stable and unwavering was his love. Jesus knows that as humans we wrestle with doubts and fears, but if love is the motive behind our words and actions, then we are prime candidates for the Holy Spirit to work in and through us—He is able to mold us, and remove the dross of fear, and the tares of doubt while working faith into us while we are on the Potter’s wheel.

“Our Lord said to Peter twice, ‘Simon, son of Jonas, dost thou have a love for Me that is called out of thine heart because I am precious to thee, a love of deep devotion that is sacrificial in its essence, a love that would make thee willing to die for Me?’ Three times Peter said, ‘Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I am fond of Thee, thou knowest that I have an affection for Thee that is called out of my heart because of the pleasure I take in Thee.’

Jesus asked for a love of complete devotion. Peter offers Him a love of personal heart emotion. Jesus asked for a love of surrendering obedience. Peter offers Him a love of personal attachment.

Peter at the crucifixion had denied his Lord even in the face of his statements, ‘Though all men should be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.’ ‘Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee’ (Matt. 26:33, 35). Peter had compared himself with the other disciples. Now our Lord asks, ‘Peter, dost thou have a personal devotion to Me to the point of self-sacrifice which is stronger than the personal devotion of these your fellow-disciples?’ Peter answers in deep humility, remembering his denial of his Lord, and without comparing his love for Jesus with that of the other disciples. In our Lord's second question the comparison is omitted, and Peter has the opportunity to tell of his personal devotion for Jesus without comparing it with that of the other disciples. But he only speaks of his personal friendly affection for Him.

The third time Jesus questions Peter He uses philein, and asks with sharp directness and brevity whether Peter has any real affection for Him at all. Peter was grieved because Jesus used philein, yet he only asserts his fondness and friendly affection for his Master.” (From: Studies in the Vocabulary of The Greek New Testament, Dr. Kenneth S. Wuest)

                God knows that we don’t start out having all of the love that He commands (Matthew 22:37-40), yet, He commands it, because imbedded in the keeping of the command, is genuine love—devotion, self-sacrifice, compassion to His people, too. God knows also—and wants us to understand that as we fulfill the Law (in its entirety) by living a life of agape—or godly love, we will by the nature of His love in us destroy the works of the enemy and mortify the deeds of the flesh in our bodies. Love, in us is powerful. Now, we know that Peter didn’t have that love right away. He preached powerfully at Pentecost and thousands were saved, but he struggled with prejudice, in spite of that. It took God speaking to Him and directing him to the Italian centurion Cornelius—and saving his household for Peter to understand that Jesus really meant “go ye into all the world, preaching the Gospel…”, and not simply to the Jews.

                What implications does this have for us in 2012? Most of us, understand that the Gospel extends to all beyond race, creed or color, but we have built other walls. These walls have become an offense to many within the Body, and are a strong deterrent to many without the Body who would see Jesus, save for the depiction of Christ that we offer them. Instead of “salt and light” we offer superiority, pride, elitism—all, while scandal plagues ministries, publicly. The world can accept failures, but only if failure and mistake is coupled with humility and repentance. The problem that we have before us, is that instead of allowing God to cover our sin, as we truly repent, we attempt to cover our own sin and lack honesty and accountability—and the world will not be won as we preach one thing and live another. How often have we all heard people say, “I won’t come to church because people in church are hypocrites—especially preachers” or as someone said to me, recently, “I’m better off without church” or something else along those lines? If it wasn’t true, we wouldn’t have such a difficult time winning them—and it would be much better ( and easier) if we didn’t have to always respond to them “take your eyes off the man, and focus on God”. They should indeed be able to look at us, and see Jesus.  We can’t keep blaming the world for failing to receive the Gospel, and not acknowledge our responsibility in the presentation of it.

                Today, youth in particular, know much about the Bible and different religions of the world—they study them in school. They know the words of Jesus, and they know that we are not matching (the American church) what they have read. And, it doesn’t take a theologian to understand exactly what Jesus meant when He taught compassion, love, and humility—or hypocrisy, pride, and oppressive leadership. It’s really very clear, and no further interpretation is necessary. Jesus meant exactly what He said—any way you slice it. He meant that if we fail to care for the poor (“the least of these”) we will spend eternity in the lake of fire. He meant that when we pray we must not use lofty words to impress people, but simply speak to Him as we speak normally. He meant that what is in our hearts is far more important than what is on the outside—and, dressing up the outside while the inside is filthy and depraved is ludicrous. He meant that we should not call anyone Father (or get caught up in titles—that needs a little interpretation!) except the Father. Jesus meant that we should keep our giving private—no one needs to know how much you give, stop showing off. He meant that the poor widow gave more—even though it amounted to about ¼ of a penny—than everyone, because it was all that she had; in other words, it’s not how much one gives, but the sacrifice (and the heart that is willing to do so).

                We resist change, even when what we are doing does not work—even when what we are doing does not line up with God’s Word. And, we fight anyone who attempts to speak the Word of truth to us—even when we know it is correct. It happened to Jesus, it happened to the prophets and the apostles, too—that hasn’t changed.

“If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves, pray, seek, crave, and require of necessity My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.”  [ 2 Chronicles 7:14 Amplified Version]

 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you murder the prophets and stone the messengers that are sent to you! How often have I longed to gather your children round me like a bird gathering her brood together under her wings, but you would never have it. Now, all that is left is yourselves, and your house. For I tell you that you will never see me again till the day when you cry, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’”     [Luke 13:34,35 Phillips]