Lovest thou me?

Elders, 

The resurrected Savior asked Peter, three times, Lovest thou me?"  (John 21:15 - 21:17). Here the Savior questions his trust and loyalty. Remember Elders, trust is faith and loyalty is repentance. Imagine if you will this fellow Peter, he has seen the risen Lord and broke bread with Him. He is now getting this question. 

Agape thou me? (I switched out the English with the Greek).

He recalls those times of healing the sick, lame, blind, leper and even seeing dead Lazarus live again. Recalls feeding the thousands. He smiles. Thousands of Jews and Samaritans praised His name.

Yes Lord, thou knowest I phaleo thee.

Feed my sheep.

Then the Lord asks again, Agape thou me?

Peter recalls the tough times. The boat that almost sank. The Pharisees and Sadducees that were a constant threat, even at the garden, yet still he was by the Savior's side. He is comforted that he was strong during those time too.

Yes Lord, thou knowest I phaleo thee. 

Feed my sheep, He says again. 

It is at the third time, Agape thou me?

Now Peter is upset. Surely the Lord hears him, but then it dawns on him those words that the Savior said. When the cock crows twice thou shalt deny me thrice.

His stomach gives way and he is suddenly sick. He did not defend a good man, a prophet, his Redeemer. He begins to cry as he realizes that the Savior has not left him as he did. He had a sword and sit nothing. He had a voice and denied knowing Him. He saw the nail prints in His hands, feet and side and watched as he hung on a tree for three days with a crown of thorns. His crime was above His head; King of the Jews. 

Seeing Him again alone reminded Peter of all of these moments.

He recalls taking down the body, removing the crown, and wrapping him in swaddling clothes, lying him in a tomb. Friends wept all around him.

He begins to realize what is being asked as he has now fallen to his knees in anguish. He wants to punish himself as Judas did. Then the Savior reaches out and lifts him up. Peter can only whisper now though sobs. Thou knowest I phaleo thee.

Feed my lambs.

This experience changed Peter. He faces every challenge head on because he repented and developed unshakable faith in his Savior Jesus Christ. Now it's not expected of us to have a perfect faith but we need to develope a faith that says, I will climb the mountains and storm the seas. Let it be physical, mental, or spiritual; the Lord is with me. 

Elders, let's define these words that Peter and Jesus used for this visit.
  • Agape:
    This refers to a divine, sacrificial, and unconditional love, often associated with God's love for humanity.
  • Phileo:
    This denotes a more affectionate, brotherly, or friendly love, based on fondness and attachment.

Elders, you have greatness within you. The Savior is withholding no mystery that you are ready for and God has no secrets. He has asked you to face heat and danger, to face foreign tongues and weird situations that here in your precious homes you would have never seen. Will you screw up? Maybe, but that's ok, if you like Peter remember the Savior has you always in the palm of His Almighty hand (Psalm 37:23-24, Psalm 139:10, and Isaiah 41:13). Work hard and pray hard. God is with you and forgives the repentant.

Remember, I pray for you. We all do.

Nathan Bingham 

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