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.’”

“How many time have I told you that you cannot go until your room is clean?” How many times have we heard this from

our mothers? Most mothers would probably say that it is more impairing to them to repeat the warning than it is to their children

to hear it. Somehow, I think that’s what Jesus felt when He was speaking with Peter.

Breakfast was a welcome relief to the weary fishermen. They had fished all night and caught nothing –that is, until Jesus said,

“Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find a catch” (Jn. 21:6). And catch they did! The nets were full – 153 fish, but their stomachs yearned for that breakfast.

It was after breakfast that Jesus asked Peter, “…do you love me more than these?” Peter answered, “Yes, LORD; You know that I love You.” Subsequently, Jesus repeated the same question two more times. Now, to the English reader, that is called redundancy; you know, “I heard you the first time.” But, the key to all of this lies in the Greek words for “love.” Philos is the word for “friendship love.” Agape is the strongest word for love. It activates a supreme love that yields everything to the other person without expecting anything in return. In His first two inqueries, the LORD uses agape while Peter replies with philos. In the third instance, the LORD uses Peter’s word, philos. It must have crushed Peter that the LORD lowered His word to match Peter’s. The three questions paralleled Peter’s three denials. It was like rubbing salt into an open wound.

Nevertheless, at the conclusion of each inquiry, the LORD mentioned something for Peter to do: “Tend (feed, instruct) My sheep,” and “shepherd (lead, guide) My sheep.” The lesson was over. Peter was not excoriated; but he had received what he deserved. Now, with this final instruction from the Savior, Peter was put back into active service.

Oh, that some pastors today would differentiate between “feeding” and “fleecing” the sheep! But, it is not for us to instruct them; they are presumptive servants of the LORD. Our responsibility is to pray for them and listen to their instruction from the Word. If the instruction is accurate, the Holy Spirit within us will say so. If it is not, He will make that plain to us, as well. Either way, we are to pray and to witness to those who are lost. Jesus is coming soon! When is not for us to know. What we do know, however, is that tomorrow brings us another day closer to His Coming. Always be faithful! Be prayerful! Be a witness for Him!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”