LOVE

He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” and he said to Him, “Lord, you know everything; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.” John 21:17

Jesus had asked Peter twice before this about his love for Christ, using the Greek ἀγαπάω (agapao) for love. This was the same sort of love the Lord commanded us to have to one another, the same love wherewith He loved us: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another” (John 13:34); the same love whereby we are commanded to love God: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matt 22:37). But Peter failed the Lord; denied the Lord thrice; because the best he could muster for the Lord was a loving fondness as a close friend, the Greek φιλέω (phileo). This third time, in the verse today, the Lord Jesus asked if Peter had this loving fondness (phileo) for Him; and with great grief, Peter again admitted that his love did not compare with Christ’s. Yet, we see, that despite his shortcomings, Jesus still says too Peter, “Feed My sheep.” The Lord Jesus still uses the believer saved by grace as long as we’re honest about being wretched sinners saved by grace; as long as we recognize, “Lord Jesus, You know who and what I am; and this is what You have to work with.” Jesus can use this; and will use this. Moreover, our Lord Jesus won’t rebuke us for telling Him that we are fond of Him. When we say, “I love you” to God, it certainly falls short of Christ’s love for us. Our love does not contain the same depth of sacrifice or humility. Our love does not contain the same knowledge of the Holy. Our love does not contain the same godly fear of true holiness, goodness, and justice. Nevertheless, Christ delights in our expressions of love to Him and for Him. And why not? Who among us with children or grandchildren have not received a heart swelling with joy unspeakable to hear those little ones express their simple love to us? Likewise, is our Mighty God and Everlasting Father, the Lord Jesus Messiah. He hears our pitiful expressions of love, His grace fills our lack, and His joy for our salvation is witnessed by the entire heavenly host.

“Guilty, vile, and helpless we;
Spotless Lamb of God was He.
Full atonement! Can it be?
Hallelujah! What a Savior!”
by Philip P. Bliss (1838-1876)

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Today's M'Cheyne Reading Schedule: 3/31 - Lev 2-3; John 21; Prov 18; Col 1

If you don’t have one, get a free PDF copy of Robert Murray M’Cheyne’s “Daily Bread” Bible Reading Calendar by Clicking Here.

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