Love Beyond Measure

Do you LOVE ME more than THESE?

The New Pilgrim Bible John 21

Our Lord used a word indicating to love deeply, but Peter used one that meant to be fond of. It is as though Jesus said, “Do you really love Me, Peter—that is, very deeply?” And Peter, remembering His denial of the Lord on the night of His arrest, only dared to say, “Lord, You know that I am very fond of You.” He was perhaps afraid to speak too strongly for fear that he might fail again, but Jesus showed how much He trusted him by telling him to care for the young Christians (the lambs) and the older ones (the sheep). The thrice-repeated question, “Lovest thou me?” suggests a tender allusion to the apostle’s thrice-repeated denial.

John 21:15

John 21:15 NIV84

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.”

These what?

Two Kinds of love? Agape for Jesus and phileo for Peter.

Feed(pasture, tend) my lambs?

The Second ask?

John 21:16

John 21:16 NIV84

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.”

What has changed?

Take care of My sheep. poimaine(shepherd,lead, herd)

Three verses three

John 21:17

John 21:17 NIV84

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.

Again what has changed?

Looks are deceiving.

Love question brought Jesus love down to Peter’s. Agapeo turned to phileo.

Charge goes from shepherding back to feeding, tending. But now sheep not lambs.

Jesus will meet us where we are and work with us to bring us to where he knows we can be.

Peter was not ready because he felt he was not worthy.

The only way to get to where Jesus wants us to be is to FOLLOW HIM.

John 21:18-19

John 21:18–19 NIV84

I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

The Jesus path isn’t always what we want but it is our true destiny.

Our destiny and others will no be the same because God has different plans and purposes for each of us

John 21:20-23

John 21:20–23 NIV84

Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” Because of this, the rumor spread among the brothers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”

We will discover OUR purpose by following Jesus. Not imitating others but HIM.