HE IS RISEN! THE LORD IS RISEN INDEED!

Saturday, April 10, 2010

John 21:17

He saith unto him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, 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."

The third time that Jesus asks Peter, "Lovest thou ME?" JESUS uses the Greek word, phileo. Peter responds with the same word. Two times before, JESUS had used the Greek word, agapeo and Peter had responded with the Greek word, phileo. This is very significant in the fact that JESUS had called Peter to a higher love and Peter could not meet HIM there. So, JESUS met Peter where he was comfortable.

When JESUS comes to us, He will always call us to a higher place, but if we can not come to HIM there, He will meet us where we are. This is the same attitude of unconditional love that brought JESUS from the Glory of Heaven to earth for our redemption. HE, throughout the ages, called humankind to the highest place, through the Prophets and through Holy people of GOD, but the world could not respond to that call. So JESUS emptied Himself of Glory and came to call humankind to Himself and through Him to Glory. JESUS met humankind where we were and led the Way to the high calling of GOD.

The three times that JESUS asks Peter, "Lovest thou Me?" He commissions Peter to "Feed MY lambs" and then "Feed MY sheep." The call never changed, only the level of love. As Peter obeyed the call of GOD to give the Good News to the people, the level of his Love changed and grew. Peter's faith and love of JESUS is seen in strength in his letters. Read 1st and 2nd Peter for a good look into the heart and faith of Simon, Son of Jonah. See how his love grows and his faith stands. See how he feeds the lambs and sheep of GOD.