After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love Me more than these? ” “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “You know I love You.” “Then feed My lambs,” Jesus told him. Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “You know I love You.” “Then take care of My sheep,” Jesus said. A third time He asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, You know everything. You know that I love You.” Jesus said, “Then feed My sheep. I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.” Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow Me.”
John 21:15-19
This is a short passage but packed with so much. Typical John. Dig here! But I am sure you know that already. This is a passage that requires attention at the word level. You need to pay careful attention to the words. It is a classic passage that illustrates the need to pay attention to the original text. Even if you can’t read Greek, looking at an interlinear translation or using one of the E-Sword + versions would yield the treasures to you. This passage demonstrates how easy it is to miss the point of the passage when we think we understand the words used and don’t bother to study deeper. We commit that error in oh so many ways. We New Zealanders think we understand about shepherding, and we do. But we don’t understand shepherding Israeli style. There we miss out on the information. We all think we understand the word “peace”, and we do from our perspective. But we don’t understand שׁלום [shalom] from the Jewish perspective until we take the time to research it.
It goes without saying that is not a coincidence Jesus asks Peter three times whether he (Peter) loves Him or not. Remember Peter has denied him three times before people whom he didn’t have to be concerned about. People of social status. He certainly didn’t have to answer to them. Now Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves Him. I am sure Peter got the message. His answer reveals that he did but the answer is buried for us behind translated text. See if you can dig it out without my help. I am merely following my Greek professor’s lead and pointing to the place where you should dig. Hint hint: it’s worth digging
More tomorrow. Time for you to do some more work. I won’t even tell you “how” at this point. I trust you already know how to do it from when we have done this previously.
Your children get only one childhood. Your child needs your love most when they least deserve it. (Like us adults too)
Regina Brett