The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

John 21:15-17, “So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?’ He said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.’ He said to him, ‘Tend My lambs.’

16 He said to him again a second time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love Me?’ He said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.’ He said to him, ‘Shepherd My sheep.’

17 He said to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love Me?’ Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, ‘Do you love Me?’ And he said to Him, ‘Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Tend My sheep.’”

Recently, I mentioned to you that “context” was very important when we seek to understand Scripture. Today, I want to note that words are also vitally important. Greek is arguably the most precise language known to mankind. English has only one word for love; the Greek language has four!

Jesus had risen from the dead, and the disciples had gone back to fishing. They are now with Him on shore having breakfast. Peter, you will recall, had denied knowing Jesus, so he was probably a bit sheepish about encountering Jesus. Nothing was said about Peter’s specific denials, but Jesus simply asked him if he loved Him. Three times He asked in keeping with the three denials. Three times Peter responded. The importance lies in the two words for love that they used. Jesus used the strongest word (agape), but Peter always responded with the lesser word (phileo). Their conversation went like this:

“Simon, do you really, truly love (agapao) Me?”

“Yes, LORD, You know I am a good friend (phileo) of Yours!”

“Feed (bosko) My sheep.”

“Simon, do you love (agapao) Me?”

““Yes, LORD, You know I am a good friend (phileo) of Yours!”

“Act like a shepherd (poimaino) to My little sheep.”

“Simon, am I a good friend (phileo) of yours?” (Jesus now uses Peter’s lesser word.)

“LORD, you know that you are a good friend (phileo) of mine.”

“Feed (bosko) My little sheep.”

Peter could never bring himself to say that he loved Jesus as much as Jesus loved him. But, it’s important

to notice that Jesus restored Peter to fellowship, despite his denials of ever even knowing Him. Jesus’ love

was exercised in forgiveness to Peter – and it is to us! Our silence is often a denial of Him; still He forgives

us and restores us to fellowship with Him. Once we’ve been saved, born-again, He will never deny us.

Moreover, when we deny Him and then confess it as sin in our lives, He forgives us and restores us to

fellowship. Never give up on Jesus! He never gives up on you!

He loves you and we love you, too,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”