John 21:1-19 is the lectionary Gospel text for Sunday, May 1.
Peter always wanted so badly to get it right. He was impulsive and brash, and adored the Lord. He wanted so badly to be the guy. He tried so hard.
He got the fishing right, so kudos to him for that.
When they were done eating, Jesus asked Peter, calling him Simon, if he loved Jesus (Phileo) more than the others loved Him, or perhaps if he loved Jesus more than he loved the other disciples? Peter answered that he did love (Phileo) Jesus. Jesus told Peter to feed His lambs.
Jesus then asked Peter, calling him Simon the son of John, if he loved Jesus (Agape). Peter answered in the affirmative that indeed, yes, he did love (but again, Phileo) Jesus. Jesus told Peter to tend His sheep.
Jesus then asked Peter, calling him Simon, son of John, if he loved Jesus (Agape), and Peter again answered Jesus, hurt because Jesus asked him this a third time, and answered, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love (again, Phileo) you." Jesus told Peter to feed His sheep.
Jesus then told Peter about how he would be killed.
Peter just could not say that he had Agape Love for Jesus. Jesus tried. Jesus acknowledged that Peter loved Jesus like a brother, and then got Peter to consider Agape Love, that perfect love that Jesus commanded us to live. Peter could not do it. He was grieved about the third question because it was a reminder that he was not able to commit to Agape Love for Jesus. It was an honest admission. Peter was doing the best that he could. He had denied Jesus three times, and this was just one more reminder of how Peter did not "measure up." It is not easy to live that perfect love as Jesus has commanded.
But that did not stop Jesus from giving Peter the commission to Feed Jesus' lambs with the Bread of Life, tend His sheep with the Word and feed His sheep with what love Peter could muster. Peter would need to practice, to work at this love, until he mastered it. He also told Peter again to FOLLOW HIM in how he lived, to live in Jesus' example, to go where Jesus went.
Of what are we capable? Are we only capable of Phileo with family, those like us, those we like or those who please us or make us feel good to love? Can we only be worried about ourselves and those just like us? Are we only able to concern ourselves with our personal salvation, while claiming to be followers of Jesus? That is not of the Christ. Jesus commanded Agape Love for Neighbor, defined as stranger, enemy, most vulnerable by Jesus (see Luke 10:25-37; Matthew 25:31-46). If we are only capable of Phileo, we are not capable of heeding the commands of Jesus.
Are we capable of unconditional, even self-sacrificing committed action on behalf of the other, even stranger and enemy and especially the most vulnerable among us? Are we capable of loving with no return on our love for ourselves? Are we able to make love an action and not a feeling? Are we able to active commitment on behalf of others without a return? Are we capable of living the perfect love that Jesus commanded?
Perhaps it takes time and practice to develop that love and the living of it.
Whether we are or not, Jesus commands us to it, and the care of God's children out of it. It is the central teaching of the Gospels and an imperative for those who would follow Him, in how we live in the world. This Christian thing is about loving with Agape. Period. It is THAT which will change the world to be a more loving and faithful world. It is THAT which will make life sustainable on this planet. Loving Neighbor as Self means no more wanting harm or lack to come to a neighbor than one would want that for him/her/their self. Actively committing to bring Shalom for all people is the way we follow Jesus, the way we are faithful to God. Everything else is just other stuff.
How much like Peter are we right now?
Of what love are we capable?
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