Truth That Transforms

John 21:14-17

14This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.

Jesus Reinstates Peter
15When 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."

16Again 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."

17The 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."

Bee's Thoughts:

The word "love" is still very mysterious to many people, including Christians. Sometimes we thought we loved someone, but in actual fact we only loved ourselves. The test comes when things don't go our ways, and we realized that what matters most to us is our own "happiness" rather than that of the other person.

Why did Jesus have to ask Peter, "Do you truly love me?" three times?

I guess it's because Peter did not fully understand what it takes to truly love Jesus. Notice that Jesus replied by asking Peter to do something about it, "Feed my lambs." (v15) and "Take care of my sheep." (v16).

Love is action, not just saying "I love you". 1 John 3:18 says, "Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth."

To love is to be concerned about what matters most to the person we loved. In this case, Jesus is concerned about His "lamb" (young Christians) and His "Sheep" (older Christians). So if Peter or us say we love Jesus, we should be concerned about what He is concerned about. That's why King David was called "the man after God's heart". For David truly wants to do things that pleases God.

To love is a non-negotiable command from God for Christians. 1 John 4:7-12 says:

7Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son[b] into the world that we might live through him. 10This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for[c] our sins. 11Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for reminding what true love is all about. If I am born of You, then love becomes in-born nature in my life. I will have no more excuse to say I don't know what love is since Your definition of love is so clear (1 Cor 13) and also You have shown me Your examples of true love. May I love You for each day so that I also will love others more. Let me seek not to please myself but to please You and the people I love. I want to obey You, Lord.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.