Square The Circle:
Friends, imagine yourself going round and round in circles, especially when caught in one of those awkward conversations you can’t escape from.
Ever been there?
I’m certain you have.
I guess Simon Peter felt a little like that when asked three times by Jesus, “Do you love me??”
Well, let’s “try” to square the circle!
Looking here at the story in John 21, some translations tend to loose the point.
Now, I’m not a language scholar, and I don’t pretend to be!
But here, we must realise that Jesus is talking about agape love.
Simon Peter however, response with philia love.
Agape means to love unconditionally, with a deeper sense of true love – characterized by intense emotion.
Really, it’s a love that’s marked by maximal interest and enthusiasm, displaying warmth with strong feelings of admiration, “always” empowering and enabling one to stay-fresh in God – no matter what!
Philia simply means to like, to regard, to feel friendship for another.
It’s almost like having a rapport or a kindly inclination.
But hey! There’s nothing wrong with friendship or brotherly love!
Nothing wrong with being large-hearted!
Still, lets look how J B Phillips beautifully catches the whole meaning of the exchange:
When they had finished breakfast Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these others?”
“Yes, Lord,” he replied, “you know that I am your friend.
“Then feed my lambs,” returned Jesus.
Then he said for the second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
“Yes, Lord,” returned Peter. “You know that I am your friend.
“Then care for my sheep,” replied Jesus.
Then for the third time, Jesus spoke to him and said, “Simon, son of John, are you my friend?”
Peter was deeply hurt because Jesus’ third question to him was “Are you my friend?”, and he said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I am your friend!
“Then feed my sheep,” Jesus said to him.
In retrospect, it’s evident that Jesus was asking Simon Peter if he loved with an ardent love, but all the fisherman could pull-together was a response that signified that he liked him.
Today, as we grasp the nature of the language – we begin to view the story with a different perspective.
I guess it’s as simple and as complicated as that.
Yet, we can appreciate, accept and adopt the significance of what it means to love with all our passion, prayer, intelligence and energy.
Now, since we’ve got the picture, let’s embrace God’s love towards us.
Let’s direct our love towards Him.
Let’s convey our love towards those who He loves.
And let’s do it all – with a heart to serve!
Remember, agape love is the calling-card of the Kingdom that the people of the world will recognise.
Without doubt, Kingdom relationships are like no other!
And to think, we love each other because God loved us first.
His accessibility is 24/7.
His promises to us are 100%.
His love is unquestionable.
Compassionate and loyal!
And, on account of His agape love, we discover our identity in Him.
Bringing so much joy.
Well now, if this message has encouraged you, please click the recommend button found before this post.
Thank you.
David Prince: Full-time Husband To Rachel – Writer Of Stuff – Receiver Of Grace – Drinker Of Tea – & Hearty Neighbour.
John 21:15-18
Mark 12:30
1 John 4:19
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