As a teacher, it was hard for me to hear my student repeat a question to me on the same concept in a single lesson. I loved that my students were learning, and wanted to them to ask questions. But when they repeated a question in that manner, it suggested that my delivery method had failed – they didn’t grasp the concept.
All that shifts, when Y’shua is the One Who’s repeating the question. Then I get unsure of myself. What about you? Does it matter who repeats the question? Consider Today’s Holy Nougat.
John 21:17 CEVDCI
[17] Jesus asked a third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus had asked him three times if he loved him. So he told Jesus, “Lord, you know everything. You know I love you.” Jesus replied, “Feed my sheep.
Do you love me
Not only was the question a bit off-putting, coming from Y’shua, it left scope for wondering about what changed in Y’shua. In times past, Y’shua had the distinct ability to know what was in a person’s heart without being told. The logic did not make sense. Peter began to get uncomfortable.
Self-Check
In Peter’s shoes, knowing that you had thrice betrayed Y’shua, how would you react to Y’shua’s question?
Deeper Dive
Despite the weather, despite Y’shua’s resurrection, the air may have been thick with tension. Memories of Peter’s denial would probably be at the forefront of everyone’s minds. It didn’t help that Y’shua used repetition to emphasise points. Was Y’shua rejecting Peter’s loyalty by reminding him of his triple denial, or did death affect Y’shua’s capacities?
Had Y’shua not changed the instruction each time He responded to Peter, one could say He didn’t hear Peter. But Y’shua made 3 nuanced requests. A lamb isn’t just a sheep, and tending isn’t always feeding. He was either suffering from brain fog or the issue went beyond mere repetition. Scholars state that Y’shua’s threefold questioning and commandment was rooted in role shifting, reversal, and restoration – which it was. I would invite us to dig a bit deeper, especially as we seek life applications for our relationship with Christ.
Love wasn’t just love.
The English rendering of the Q&A does not give full justice to the conversation, as Y’shua twice asked, ‘Do you agape me?’. This Greek word embodies love as a choice, an abiding, unconditional, unwavering love – the kind offered to God in the Greatest Commandment (as stated in Matthew 22:37-39).
But Peter’s response – according to his rival, Y’shua’s beloved – is ‘Lord, You know that I philio You.’ That’s a family kind of love. Some would say it was less intense. It leaves us to wonder if Y’shua sought a deeper, more abiding commitment of love from Peter; or whether John – the beloved disciple – sought to underscore Peter’s depth of integrity.
Facing the reality of his denial, and in the aftermath of Judas’ betrayal, Peter didn’t tell Y’shua that he loved Him unconditionally. But Peter could and did say that his love ran deeply, like a brother. That love captures the passion of Peter’s nature, given the proverbs about brotherly love … brothers are born for adversity (Proverbs 17:17); and true friendship outweighs brotherly love (Proverbs 18:24). And Peter’s response, even when offered in embarrassment or frustration, was unwavering. He knew exactly what his love for Y’shua was like.
Whether it was that Y’shua opted to de-intensify the question, or was just mimicking Peter’s language to make another point, in the third round, He matched Peter’s language, ‘Do you philio Me, Peter?’, Y’shua asked. A shift had taken place. In making that final question about brotherly love, one senses that Y’shua was willing to accept that level of love; the kind that remains committed, even throughout adversity.
Peter returned to Y’shua’s sheepfold after being sifted by the devil. His colleague, Judas was incapable of doing so. Despite denial, Peter’s love stayed the course. We know he later roused the masses with his fiery Pentecost sermon. Philio toward Y’shua was enough.
Today, if Y’shua asked us not once but twice, ‘Do you, insert our name here agape me?’, what would our reply be? Would Y’shua already know that the answer is yes?
Point to Ponder
Is ours an agape, philio, or neither kind of love for God? What do our actions say?
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May all we seek be found in Christ
