HE IS RISEN! THE LORD IS RISEN INDEED!

Thursday, April 8, 2010

John 20:15

So when they had dined, JESUS saith to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, 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."

This was the third time that JESUS appeared, after His resurrection from the dead and JESUS was dining with them by the water. The question which He asks Simon, is a question which He asks each of us: "Lovest thou me more than these?" Do you love JESUS more than anything this world has to offer? Do you love JESUS more than your own life? Only the individual can answer this question and live this question.

When JESUS asks the question, He uses the Divine form of the word love - agapao - which means to love deeply and unconditionally. Peter responds, using the word phileo, which means, to be fond of. Phileo is used to describe brotherly love and affection. JESUS always calls us to the highest love, we, at first can only respond with the love we have to give. This love is received by JESUS with joy and He calls Peter and us, to "feed His lambs".

All things and people belong to JESUS, therefore, the love we give to others, is the love we give to JESUS Himself. When JESUS gave to Peter the commission to feed His lambs, He is saying that the new believers in Him need tender, love and care. They need the good food of the Love of GOD for them and need to be nurtured in the truth. They need the Word of GOD dwelling in them, so that they can live the abundant life. The brotherly love, which Peter has, is enough to feed His lambs the good food of the Gospel.

LOVEST THOU ME MORE THAN THESE? FEED MY LAMBS.