Oh And How Do You Love Jesus?

"So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, 'Simon, son of Jonah, 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 again a second time, 'Simon, son of Jonah, 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 Jonah, 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 all things; You know that I love You.' Jesus said to him, 'Feed My sheep.'" - John 21:15-17

I normally shy away from comparing verses to the original Greek in the New Testament.  But in this case, I think it is interesting in understanding the question Jesus asked and the answer Peter gave. (Not to take credit for this understanding, my brother Rick, who has a doctorate in theology, shared this with me years ago when I was but a tadpole in my faith.)

The English language is a marvel. One word can have many meanings. Like the word "love". Without the understanding of the Greek behind the word translated, Love, it would appear that Jesus asked Peter the same question and Peter gave Jesus the same answer to that question. In fact Jesus asked - twice - if Peter loved Jesus with spiritual - unconditional love - "agapas" and Peter answered twice with "philō", brotherly affection. Third time Jesus asked if Peter he did indeed love him with brotherly affection - and Peter answered the same way the third time. 

There would come a time when Peter understood what Jesus had been asking but it was not that night! To love Jesus sacrificially would have meant that Peter would not have denied Jesus, but would have laid down his life for him. Peter did not have the faith or capacity to do that, yet. But the time would come when he did.

We do not have the capacity to love Jesus with the same love that God, the Father, and God, The Son, showed toward us without saving faith and the power of God in us. We can love the idea of the Christian life, loving God and loving others. But when it comes to sacrificing everything of ourselves because of that love - well, often times, the best we can come up with is brotherly affection. It is the only thing our flesh can offer.

Without the Love of God at work in us - we will not be willing to pick up our crosses and follow Jesus. We will not be willing to lay what we value in this world down at the foot of the cross. Instead, we will try to be "good people". We will have a form of godliness - but, all the while, denying the power that comes from offering ourselves as living sacrifices.

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." - Romans 12:1-2

Do you think that is reasonable to lay your life - your plans - your preferences - your dreams aside to walk the path that God has called you to? If your love for God is limited to "brotherly affection" then the answer will be "No!" What you are willing to lay down  or are you satisfied with being merely friendly toward God and not passionate in your devotion to Him? You don't need to answer out loud. Your life is already telling the story. 

"Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.'" - Matthew 16:24

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone