Levels of Love
John 21:15-17
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love Me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love You.” Jesus said, “Feed My lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love Me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, You know that I love You.” Jesus said, “Take care of My sheep.” The third time He said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love Me?” He said, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said, “Feed My sheep.”
Three times Jesus asks Peter the question, “Do you love Me?” However, in the original Greek, a more interesting drama unfolds in this conversation. The first time Jesus asks Peter the question the word for love that He uses is the word agape in the Greek. Agape love is God’s love. It is unconditional love, selfless love, love that sacrifices and serves the other person. In other words, Jesus asks Peter, “Do you really love Me with an unselfish, sacrificial love?”
Jesus was referring to Peter’s bold statement back in Mark 14:29-31 where Peter boasted, “Even if all [the other disciples] fall away I will not. Even if I have to die with You I will never disown You.” As we know Jesus then predicted Peter’s three denials, which, indeed, Peter eventually did.
So Jesus, in His first question, was essentially asking, “Peter, do you still think you love Me as much as you had claimed?” Clearly Peter was reminded of his denials and responded to Jesus by saying, “You know that I love You.” But the Greek word for “love” that Peter uses is the word phileo, which is the word for “brotherly love.”
In other words, Peter replied to Jesus, “Lord, You and I both know that I don’t love You at that level. My denials proved that. However, I do love You with great affection.” Peter humbly admitted that His love for Jesus was not on the same level as Christ’s love for him. Peter is being much more careful now not to overstate the level of His love and commitment to the Lord.
When Jesus asks Peter “Do you love Me?” the second time Jesus still uses the word agape and Peter responds again by using the verb phileo. Peter still recognizes that his love for Jesus is imperfect. Once more Peter humbly confesses the limitations of his love for the Lord.
When Jesus asks Peter “Do you love Me?” the third time Jesus changes the verb to phileo. He accepts the level of love that Peter is able to give Him and basically says to Peter, “Then Peter, I welcome the love you are able to give to Me. I realize that you really do care for Me even though your love for Me is imperfect.”
Jesus reminds us that He accepts the level of love that we are able to offer to Him. He recognizes that, like Peter, our love for Him is imperfect. Our commitment to Him is sometimes lacking. And our loyalty to Him is far from complete. But the good news is that the Lord understands. And in His grace, He receives us and accepts the level of love that we are able to offer.