LOVING JESUS

May 22

Bible Reading: John 21:15-19

John 21:15-17, “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.”

Motivation matters.  Why do you do what you do as a Christian?  It’s not enough to do Christian things simply because that’s what other Christians do or because such things are demanded or expected of us.  Nor will it do for us to be motivated by the applause of men or hoping to receive some kind of financial advantage.  There is one right and virtuous motivation, which we do well to guard and nurture, and that is love for Jesus. 

Sandwiched between Peter’s bitter failure and his future role in the church’s founding was this interview of Peter by Jesus.  It was an interrogation of sorts, but not adversarial, for Jesus was working to lovingly restore Peter.  So, our all-knowing Lord had some questions for Peter.  Peter, like us, was incapable of rightly knowing and discerning his own heart, so Jesus worked to do that for him with questions regarding Peter’s love for Jesus.  A love which was not evidenced in Peter’s denials but would be essential in his future Apostolic ministry. 

In an English Bible, you cannot see this, but the discourse translates two different Greek terms as “love”.  “Agape” love is the highest form of love.  It is “God’s kind of love” and is sacrificial in nature (1 John 3:15).  “Phileo” represents “tender affection,” and speaks of the love between friends.  So, this is how it went. First question: Simon, son of John, do you (agapao) me more than these?  Peter’s response: Yes, Lord; you know that I (phileo) you.  Second question: Simon, son of John, do you (agapao) me?  Peter’s response: Yes, Lord; you know that I (phileo) you. Third question: Simon, son of John, do you (phileo) me?  Peter’s response: Yes, Lord: you know that I (phileo) you.  

Agape love is that love from the heart which is ready to sacrifice all for its object.  It’s the love that Jesus revealed in his sacrifice on the cross (1 John 3:16). Peter, having previously denied Jesus, was unwilling to confess that kind of love.  But Peter said he held a tender affection for Jesus, in that kind of love that exists between friends.  Painfully aware of his shortcomings and previous failure, Peter was not about to make another bold assertion, but Jesus knew his heart and was patient with Him, as He is with us all.  The Spirit was soon to work to overflow Peter’s heart with that kind of love that would work to motivate him to give his all in serving Jesus.  That kind of Spirit-borne love for Jesus is the only right impetus of the heart in all our Christian doings.

“If we are devoted to the cause of humanity, we shall soon be crushed and brokenhearted… but if our motive is to love of Christ, no ingratitude can hinder us from serving our fellowmen.”—Oswald Chambers

LOVEST THOU ME
Hark, my soul! it is the Lord;
‘Tis thy Saviour, hear His word;
Jesus speaks, and speaks to thee,
“Say, poor sinner, lovest thou me’

“I deliver’d thee when bound,
And when bleeding, heal’d thy wound;
Sought thee wandering, set thee right,
Turn’d thy darkness into light.

“Can a woman’s tender care
Cease towards the child she bare’
Yes, she may forgetful be,
Yet will I remember thee.

“Mine is an unchanging love,
Higher than the heights above.
Deeper than the depths beneath,
Free and faithful, strong as death.

“Thou shalt see my glory soon,
When the work of grace is done;
Partner of my throne shalt be;—
Say, poor sinner, lovest thou me?”

Lord, it is my chief complaint,
That my love is weak and faint;
Yet I love Thee and adore,—
Oh! for grace to love Thee more!