Scripture
Peter was grieved that he asked him the third time, “Do you love me? ” He said, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.”
~John 21:17 [CSB]
Quote
The bible breaks everything down to two things: Loving Jesus with all your heart and loving you neighbor as much as you love yourself.
~Tim Tebow
Jesus questioned Peter three times about his love: twice Jesus used the Greek word Agapaō which is divine love, unconditional love, perfect love. ” First He said, “Peter do you agape Me more than the others? The second time, Jesus simply said, “Do you agapaō Me? Agapaō, in a sense is perfect love, it is the way Jesus loves us. Peter, who’s confidence has been shaken, answers Jesus with another word: the word phileō which means friendship or brotherly love. The third time Jesus uses the same word phileō. Peter is grieved that Jesus has asked him the same question three times in a row and he says, “LORD, You know everything and You know that I love you like a friend. Notice the progression: [1]“Peter, do you love Me more than the other disciples?” [2] “Peter, do you love Me the way I love you?” [3] “Peter do you love Me like a friend?” Peter’s problem raises a question: Do any of us love Jesus the way He loves us? If you are honest, I think the answer is no, emphatically no!
Paul said in Romans 3:23, “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God…” and this is certainly true of our love for Jesus, we come miserably short of loving Him the way He loves us. I can assure you that no one loves you the way Jesus does. No one else would or could take our sin and darkness from us. Jesus is willing to take our sin, shame, guilt and our burdens. He tells us to cast all our care [anxiety] on Him because He cares for us. His love is perfect, unconditional, infinite and completely off the chart and yes, we cannot love Him the way He loves us because His love is perfect and ours is not but we can love Him more. Peter loved Jesus before the cross but after the cross and the resurrection, Peter’s love for Jesus grew in leaps and bounds. The question is not–is our love for Jesus perfect, the question is–Is our love for Jesus greater now than it’s ever been. Can we honestly sing…Every day with Jesus is sweeter than the day before; everyday with Jesus, I love Him more and more.
- They said Labor Day would be hot and they got it right. We do have a tropical storm in the gulf that could possibly cool things down and get us some moisture. June fusses at me for praying for tropical storms but without them North America would be a desert.
- After two days of working on Seth’s barn, I am ready for some quiet study at the EASTERN GATE headquarters.
- Remember to pray for our BLOCK PARTY October 13 @ 4:00 pm.
