40 Days in the Book of JOHN
Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days in the Book of JOHN
Day 40 | JESUS TO PETER: DO YOU LOVE ME? | John 21:15-17
40 Days in the Book of JOHN
Day 40 | JESUS TO PETER: DO YOU LOVE ME? | John 21:15-17
JESUS RESTORES PETER
John 21:15-17
“After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ Peter replied, ‘you know I love you.’ ‘Then feed my lambs,’ Jesus told him. Jesus repeated the question: ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ Peter said, ‘you know I love you.’ ‘Then take care of my sheep,’ Jesus said. A third time he asked him, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?’ Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, ‘Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.’ Jesus said, ’Then feed my sheep.’” (NLT)
Jesus desired to restore Peter (aka Simon, son of John) and show Peter that he was forgiven. Peter had denied Jesus three times… and thus Jesus asks Peter, “Do you love me?” three times.
Two Greek words for “love” are used here.
The first two times, Jesus asks Peter, “Do you love me?” He uses the Greek word “agape,” a love with total commitment and devotion.
Peter answers all three times, “Yes Lord, You know that I love (phileo) You.” (A brotherly, close-friend love.)
The third time Jesus asks Peter: “Do you love (phileo) me?” This upsets Peter – but he answers the same, “Yes Lord, you know that I (phileo) love you.”
Peter’s forgiveness and restoration were necessary as Jesus knew what was ahead for Peter and the other disciples.
Note also to what great extent Jesus will go to see someone come into the Kingdom of God – be forgiven and restored as needed.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for your patience with me – and all other Believers of all times. Amen.
John 21:15-17
“After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ Peter replied, ‘you know I love you.’ ‘Then feed my lambs,’ Jesus told him. Jesus repeated the question: ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ Peter said, ‘you know I love you.’ ‘Then take care of my sheep,’ Jesus said. A third time he asked him, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?’ Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, ‘Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.’ Jesus said, ’Then feed my sheep.’” (NLT)
Jesus desired to restore Peter (aka Simon, son of John) and show Peter that he was forgiven. Peter had denied Jesus three times… and thus Jesus asks Peter, “Do you love me?” three times.
Two Greek words for “love” are used here.
The first two times, Jesus asks Peter, “Do you love me?” He uses the Greek word “agape,” a love with total commitment and devotion.
Peter answers all three times, “Yes Lord, You know that I love (phileo) You.” (A brotherly, close-friend love.)
The third time Jesus asks Peter: “Do you love (phileo) me?” This upsets Peter – but he answers the same, “Yes Lord, you know that I (phileo) love you.”
Peter’s forgiveness and restoration were necessary as Jesus knew what was ahead for Peter and the other disciples.
Note also to what great extent Jesus will go to see someone come into the Kingdom of God – be forgiven and restored as needed.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for your patience with me – and all other Believers of all times. Amen.