In his gospel at chapter 21 verses 15-17, John records a particular incident for us:
“So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou Me more than these?’ He saith unto Him, ‘Yea, Lord; Thou knowest that I love Thee.’ He saith unto him, ‘Feed My lambs.’ He saith to him the second time, ‘Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou Me?’ He saith unto Him, ‘Yea, Lord; Thou knowest that I love Thee.’ He saith unto him, ‘Feed My sheep.’ He saith unto him the third time, ‘Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou Me?’ Peter was grieved because He said unto him the third time, ‘Lovest thou Me?’ And he said unto Him, ‘Lord, Thou knowest all things; Thou knowest that I love Thee.’ Jesus saith unto him, ‘Feed My sheep.’”
This passage of scripture provides an interesting word study. I think God had John record this incident for us to understand the words and their meaning for us. This conversation between Jesus and Peter has an important concept for us to grasp.
When Jesus asked the first question, “Lovest thou Me more than these?” He was asking this: do you love Me the same way God loves? The word “lovest” used was a form of the Greek “agapao” normally used to reference God’s complete and unselfish (not self-serving) love. Peter’s answer was a little different. Peter answered that he loved Jesus as a friend. The word Peter used was a form of the Greek “phileo” meaning to be fond of, or a friend to. Jesus asked the second question with the same “agapao” form of love. Peter’s response was the same “phileo” love.
What we discover about Peter is that he had come to grips with his own weakness. Before Jesus’ crucifixion, Peter boasted that even if all the other disciples ran away, he would never desert Jesus. Peter declared that he would even die for Jesus. There is no reason to doubt Peter’s desire to remain true and strong, but we know that a few hours later Peter proved himself to be just the opposite. After Jesus was arrested, Peter was confronted about being a disciple of Jesus, but was so scared he denied even knowing Jesus – not just once, but three times. Peter came to realize through that humbling experience that he was weak and could fail miserably. He was no longer going to assert that he could love as completely and unselfishly as God. He determined that he could “phileo,” but could not “agapao.”
The third time Jesus asked the question He changed the wording. Jesus asked Peter if Peter “phileo” (loved as a friend) Him? That was a very important and significant change. What did Jesus do? Jesus brought the question “down” to where Peter could be in agreement. Peter realized he could not “agapao” (love like God), so Jesus no longer made that requirement. Jesus brought the question to Peter’s level. Peter knew that his love could falter, even when he had every intention to love completely and unselfishly. By bringing His question to Peter’s level, Jesus was letting Peter know that his weakness was understood, that Jesus accepted and forgave Peter.
But John recorded this incident and conversation with particular attention to the words, “agapao” and “phileo,” to lead us to his point. What John wanted us to comprehend is that God understands our needs and our weaknesses and has come to meet those needs and address the weaknesses. When God robed Himself in flesh (the body of Jesus), walked as a man on this earth among fallen humans, and sacrificed His body for our sins, He came to our level. He came “down” to us.
Why is this significant? What does it mean to me? God came to my level to meet my needs. God also came to your level to meet your needs. We needed forgiveness; He died for our sins to grant that forgiveness. We needed to be reconciled, brought back, to God; His death and resurrection reconciled us back to Himself. Just as it was not Peter’s effort that made him acceptable to God, it is not our effort that makes us acceptable to God. It is always His effort and His work. His love, His effort, His work is always complete, and we benefit.
Break the Bread 