John the apostle wrote how, “Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, do you love me more than these? He said unto him, Yes, Lord; you know that I love you. He said unto him, Feed my lambs”, and in chapter twenty-one and verse sixteen of his book John shared, “the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, do you love me?”where we read:
He said to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, do you love me?
He said unto him, Yes, Lord; you know that I love you. He said unto him, Feed my sheep.
The verse begins, “He said to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, do you love me?” John began with the words, “He said to him again the second time” which means “He, Jesus, uttered, declared, proclaimed and questioned Simon Peter another and second time”, “Simon” which means “a little rock”, “son of Jonas” which means “male offspring and progeny belonging to Jonas whose name means dove”, “do you love me” or “are you, Simon, fond of, pleased with, contented with and dearly in love with me, Jesus”? John shared how Jesus again employed the Greek word, “agapaō” to ask “Simon” whether he “loved” Him unconditionally.
The verse goes on to say, “He said unto him, Yes, Lord; you know that I love you. He said unto him, Feed my sheep.” John continued with the words, “He said unto him” “He, Simon, uttered, declared and proclaimed to him, Jesus”, “yes, Lord” which means “truly, verily, assuredly and even so One to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master, and the title given to God the Messiah”; “you know that I love you” or “you, Jesus, perceive, notice and discern that I, Simon, approve of, sanction and am fond of you, Jesus”. “He said unto him” which means “He, Jesus, uttered, declared and proclaimed to Simon”, “Feed my sheep” or “tend to, feed, nourish and furnish pasture for my, Jesus', sheepfold”. John shared how “Simon” again answered Jesus with the Greek word “phileō” to describe his measure of “love” toward Jesus, and Jesus assigned him to “care for and tend to” His “sheepfold”.
When we meditate upon John's words in this verse, we learn how Jesus desired for “Simon”, which was his given name before Jesus called Him Peter, to “love” Him unconditionally. “Simon”, however, was only able to confess His “reciprocal friendship” “love” toward Jesus, and yet, Jesus assigned “Simon” to “tend” to His “sheepfold”. Those who follow the Good Shepherd Jesus are His “sheep”, and pastors and leaders are to “care for, tend to and provide good nourishing pasture” for them. Jesus was specific with “Simon” as to whom these “sheep” belong, Himself, and as “Simon” was caring for them, he was always to keep in mind they were the “Lord Jesus'” sheep and not his own. God's desire is to have every person be within His “sheepfold”, and those who put their faith and trust in His Son Jesus become part of His Church, His “sheepfold” and family. Let all who read these words understand the importance of “loving” Jesus unconditionally even as He has “loved” them, and may they yield their lives to the One who is able to care for them throughout all eternity.
Next time John shares how Jesus asks Peter, “ the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, do you love me?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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