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. 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”, and in chapter twenty-one and verse seventeen of his book John wrote, “the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, do you love me?”where we read:
He said unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, do you love me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, do you love me? And he said unto him, Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you. Jesus said unto him, Feed my sheep.
The verse begins, “He said unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, do you love me?” John began with the words, “He said to him again the third time” which means “He, Jesus, uttered, declared, proclaimed and asked Simon Peter a third time”, “Simon” which means “a little rock”, “son of Jonas” which means “male offspring and progeny belonging to Jonas which means dove”, “do you love me” or “do you approve of, sanction, kindly welcome and befriend me, Jesus?” John shared how Jesus asked “Simon” a third time whether he “loved” Him, however, Jesus used the Greek word “phileō” this time even as “Simon” employed in his answers to Jesus in His first two inquiries.
The verse goes on to say, “Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, do you love me?” John continued with the words, “Peter was grieved” “Peter whose name means a little rock or stone was sorrowful, affected with sadness, distressed and in heaviness” “because he said unto him the third time” which means “since and on account that he, Jesus, uttered, declared, proclaimed and asked him, Simon, this third time”, “do you love me” or “do you approve of, sanction, kindly welcome and befriend me, Jesus”? John shared how “Peter” became “distressed and sorrowful” after Jesus used the Greek word “phileō” to describe his affection toward Him.
Finally the verse says, “And he said unto him, Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you. Jesus said unto him, Feed my sheep.” John ended the verse with the words, “and he said unto him” or “and he, Simon, uttered, declared and proclaimed to Jesus”, “Lord” which refers to “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 all things” or “you, Jesus, perceive, understand and have knowledge of each, every, the whole and everything”; “you know that I love you” which means “you, Jesus, perceive, understand and have knowledge that I, Simon, approve of, sanction, kindly welcome and befriend you, Jesus”. “Jesus said unto him” or “Jesus who is the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate whose name means Jehovah is Salvation uttered, declared and proclaimed to Simon”, “Feed my sheep” which means “fodder, graze and portray the duty of a Christian teacher to promote in every way the spiritual welfare of the members of the church”. John shared how Peter told Jesus that He “understood and perceived” everything, so He knew “Simon” only had “phileō” love toward Him. However, Jesus still assigned “Peter” to “fodder and provide pasture for His sheep” who believe and trust in Him.
When we think through John's words in this verse, we learn how Jesus lowered His standard of “love” to “Peter's” level. Rather than asking if “Peter” unconditionally loved Him, Jesus asked him whether he “loved” Him as a friend. This caused “Peter” to be distressed and sorrowful because he understood his true level of commitment to the Lord Jesus. “Peter's” denial of Jesus humbled him. Jesus wants every person to know His “unconditional love” for them, and His “love” was demonstrated upon the cross where He died for the sins of the whole world. Though people may not “love” Him equally, He continues to want a personal relationship with everyone who believes and trusts in Him as their “Savior and Lord”. Jesus cares for His “sheep”, and anyone who surrenders their life to Him become part of His “sheepfold”, the church, to which those who govern over them must care for and unconditionally love as well.
Next time John shares how Jesus tells Peter, “when you shall be old, you shall stretch forth your hands”, 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".
No comments:
Post a Comment