A Tale of Two "Loves"

I sat down to study this morning and realized that I had come to the end of the Gospel of John.  It's been a wonderful trek, I'll admit!  But the end was truly the climax--from which there is no falling action.

 "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?"  "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you."

This discourse between Jesus and Peter was repeated 3 times in the passage of John 21:15-19.  Each time Jesus was asking Peter for something very dear to him--something so cherished and hidden by man that God has sought it since the Fall.  If you look up the Greek word that Jesus uses for "love", you'll find the following:

Agapaō: To love, indicates a direction of the will and finding one's joy in something

Contrast with that the word that Peter uses for "love":

Phileō: To love, with the meaning of having common interests with another.  To befriend.

When looking at these two definitions, would you conclude that Jesus received the type of love He wanted?  I see a key element missing as I read.  Peter's use of the word "love" only included the range of the word "phileo."  Phileo has a limited range, in that it may or may not include a choice of the will.  Think about it.  If God only loved me in the sense of "phileo", then the moment I did something that was opposite of His desire, He could elect to stop loving me--there would be virtually no room for GRACE.  Still, this is the type of love that Peter offered, and sometimes I offer, Jesus.  Let's continue...

"Jesus said to Simon Peter, 'Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?'  'Yes, Lord,' he said, 'you know that I love you.'  Jesus said, 'Feed my lambs.'"

 Check the response that Jesus gives:  "Feed my lambs."  The word used for "feed" is:

Boskō: To feed the sheep, swine.

Keep this in mind; we'll return to it in a bit.  Let's look at the second time Jesus questions Peter:

"Again Jesus said, 'Simon son of John, do you truly love me?'  He answered, 'Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.'  Jesus said, 'Take care of my sheep.'"

This is interesting.  Peter's answer is still the same, but gets a promotion in responsibility?!!!  Actually, yes!  Check the word used for "take care of":

Poimainō: To shepherd, tend.

"Poimaino" involves much more than "bosko."  It implies the whole office of the shepherd--guiding, guarding, and folding of the flock, as well as leading it to nourishment.  Let's look at the third questioning:

"The third time he said to him, 'Simon son of John, do you love me?'  Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, 'Do you love me?'  He said, 'Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.'  Jesus said, 'Feed my sheep.'"

The interesting point of this dialogue is that the definition for "feed" switches back to the original "bosko."  Jesus recognized that Peter wasn't at the point He had wanted him to be; so, meeting Peter where he was, Jesus gave him instruction to fit his heart condition.  It makes me wonder:  "How often has God wanted to give me a task, but upon recognizing that I wasn't fully dedicated and ready, simply met me where I was?"  This isn't a condemning thought, but one to grow from; for from this point onward, I can CHOOSE to find my joy in God as He does in me.

I know many of you who are reading this are like me; you say, "Lord, I want to be used by You!  Be exalted in my life!"  If you are really like me, then you read this and start thinking of the past and things you could have done differently...how you could have stood for God at that point...how you could have shared with that person...  God's message to you and me in this situation is simply that HE ISN'T DONE, YET!

At the end of His personal discussion with Peter, Jesus tells him the type of death by which Peter would glorify God (v. 18-19).  Afterward, Jesus says, rather strongly I might add, "Follow me!"  Much like He does with the psalmists in the book of Psalms, God doesn't leave his people without hope.  Can you hear His heart in this?

"Peter, at this time you aren't ready for what I have planned for you.  That is fine; I'll come to you.  Don't be downcast, my son; for off in the distance, I see you glorifying me greatly with your death!  Simply follow me and I'll lead you there, with plenty of chances to be used by Me along the way!  I [agapaō] you!"

Be encouraged, dear brother or sister in Christ!  And please don't misread what I'm saying.  We don't "mess up God's plan" by our lack of readiness!  God's will is absolute!  As Mordecai encouraged his cousin Esther, "If you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place..." (Esther 4:14).  There is absolutely no pressure on us as far as ruining God's plan (as if we could).  Still, God wants to use us!  Let's let Him!  In order to do that, we must do as Jesus said and  FOLLOW HIM.  

PS - You'd never even believe me if I told you that my study this morning really focused on verses 19-22...  Lol!  All of this was noted earlier, but expounded upon just now...talk about chewing on the meat of the Word!  Be blessed, family!