8 October | Teens
«He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of [f]Jonah, do you [g]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 all things; You know that I love You.”» John 21: 17
At the edge of a lake, after a meal with His disciples, Jesus had a very special moment with Peter, which is described in today's text. In this conversation, Jesus asked Peter three questions that lead us to reflect deeply on the “type” of love we have for him. Why? Because Jesus used two different Greek words for “love”, and this reveals to us the kind of love Peter felt for Him.
The first time, Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him with agape love: an unconditional love that only parents can feel for their children. Peter, perhaps realizing the depth of this question, answered that he loved Jesus, but with filéo love: a brotherly, friendly love. When Jesus repeated the question and received the same answer, He then adapted His question to the level of love Peter was expressing, using the same word as him: filéo.
Peter was saddened by the third question, not just because of the repetition, but because he realized that his love had not yet reached the fullness of the agape love that Jesus expected. But do you know what the best part of this text is? Jesus accepted Peter's love in the way he could offer it. This fills our hearts with joy, because it shows that, even when we can't love Jesus the way He expects and deserves, He accepts the love we have for Him. Isn't that wonderful?
Take Action
To finish this devotional, say a sincere prayer and try to say to Jesus: “I love you.” Then share what you felt when you said that beautiful phrase to Him.