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.’”

My dad retired as the purchasing agent for a clothing manufacturing company. I remember the stories

he told of how the salesmen pitched their products. They were always pleasant, and even at times, gave him gifts. But the one thing that was never omitted was dinner! There’s something about dinner that always set the stage for what is deemed most important.

I thought of that when I read the words, “So when they had finished breakfast…” Jesus was always in charge. He didn’t need to feed and relax Peter before He charged him with responsibility; but He did. It simply eased the now-relaxed Peter and prepared him to listen more carefully.

“Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” These may have referred to Peter’s companions. Or, it may have referred to the fish they had both eaten. In any event, Jesus’ question basically related to Himself. You should be aware that there is more than one word translatable as “love” in the Greek language. Jesus used the highest, possible word, ??????, agapao. It is true love without any strings attached.

Peter responded affirmatively, but used the word ?????, phileo, meaning, “I am a good friend of yours.” Peter clearly knew the difference. Perhaps, after denying Jesus as he did, he simply could not bring himself to say “I love you as much as you love me, no strings attached.” All we truly know is what he said –not what was in his mind when he said it.

Jesus’ reaction to Peter’s responses were also a bit different. Using the metaphor “Tend my lambs,” Jesus is saying that people who have recently believed upon Him still need spiritual attention and instruction. Thus, He says “feed” them, and He uses the word ??????, arnion, meaning little lambs, perhaps newborns.

When Jesus says, “Shepherd My sheep,” He is instructing Peter to “act as a shepherd” and “use care” in leading and guiding them. That metaphor is still active today. It matters little how old one is or how long he has been a believer in Christ, there is always more to learn, more to do. Thus, we all need spiritual care and prayer.

In His third question related to love, Jesus used Peter’s word ?????, phileo. This distressed Peter, as it ought to distress us. Can we truly say that we love Him above and beyond all others, including material possessions?

All of this may seem simple to us. Yet, the instructions that Jesus lays before Peter are not simple.

Pastors today have a gargantuan task! It may look simple, as we see and listen to them instruct us from the pulpit. But each member of the congregation has different needs. Each requires a different level of instruction. Addressing all of those needs requires a great deal of thought and prayer. At the same time, pastors are called to understand the Scripture and always “tell it like it is.”

Pray for your pastor and for everyone who is charged to instruct you in the Scriptures. Stay in the Word! Keep active in prayer! Become an instructive witness to the lost that they might come to know Jesus! I will be praying for you.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom