by Margaret Radisich Sleasman

Created on: September 19, 2011

John 21:15-17

   "So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

   He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

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

There are three types of love: Eros (the one you love your spouse with); Phileo (brotherly love) and Agape (unconditional love where you would die for someone).  Agape love is what Jesus Christ showed to us when He died on the cross for our sins.  He did not have to do this, but he loved us that much.  In John when Jesus asked Peter if he loved him in verse 15, Jesus used the word Agape, and Peter used Phileo.  In verse 16, Jesus used Agape again and Peter used Phileo again.  Then in verse 17, Jesus used Phileo and Peter also used Phileo. 

You might ask, what the big deal is; but it is important because even after Peter had spent three years with Jesus, he only liked him a little bit.  He was not committed to Jesus, even though he thought he was.  By the time Jesus asked him the third time, Peter realized that he had fallen short in his love for Christ and was torn in his heart with sadness.  He made up his mind that he was going to love Jesus with Agape love and would stand for the Gospel from then on no matter what the cost.  After that, Peter was bold and he was blessed of God because he was committed and eventually, he gave his life for who he believed and loved.

This got me to thinking how very selfish we as humans are (maybe you are not, but I am).  When I pray, I pray for my family, and then I pray for those in my church and for my friends that are outside of the church.  This is the natural way to pray for us, but shouldn’t we thank Him first for all that He has done before we go down our list?  It might seem like a small thing, but if our hearts are filled with thanksgiving we are more than likely going to pray for our family and friends more wisely and more in tune to the Lord’s will.

I am pretty

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