Column: Prove it

Hi friends! Please don't be too angry with me about posting my weekly column late! I was in charge of running a Valentine banquet/fundraiser on Friday, which preoccupied my time and energy. But better late than never I say!

Speaking of late, I have to tell you that writing isn't as easy as it looks. About a month ago, I KNEW what I wanted my Valentine column to be about. I had notes written and everything. But when I started on Thursday, it just wasn't working. I attempted to make a second and better column from my original "mess", but sadly that didn't pan out either. But I guess God in His provision knew what He wanted me to say in my little newspaper space, so after a matter of copying and pasting and editing, this is what ran in the newspaper. Hope you enjoy it, and for the few of you who actually might, share it along--thanks!

original publication date: Friday, February 13, 2015
Random Writer
Prove it 

I had the opportunity to give the Wednesday night lesson to the teenagers in our church this week. And I’m a seasonal person, so obviously I incorporated the upcoming holiday.

Here’s what I attempted to share:

We use Valentine's Day as a day to celebrate love and show love to others. In John 21:15-17, we see an exchange between Jesus and Simon Peter after the disciples had spent a long night of fishing. Actually, a few verses before, Christ miraculously provided for the fisherman-disciples, as they hadn't caught any fish prior to seeing Jesus.

They had just finished eating with Jesus when He starts talking to Peter in these three verses. He basically asked Peter if he loved Him.

In the first instance, Jesus wants to know if Peter loves Him “more than these”. Simply put, Jesus was saying, “Do you love me beyond what you already know?”

It's worth noting that the word “love” used by Jesus describes a supreme and unselfish love. Additionally, Peter responds with, “Yeah, I love you,” but the love Peter explains is that cherishes and is of fondness. Thus, we have one word with two different meanings.

God's love translates to what is known as “agape” love in the Greek. Peter's love is what is called “phileo” love in Greek. So we have Christ reaching an apex of love, while Peter stands at a love that is a bit softer.

Peter expresses his love to Jesus, and to prove it, Jesus tells him to “feed [his] lambs”. Lambs are less than a year old, so when Jesus tells him to feed his lambs, He's asking Peter to help and be there for those that are younger or less mature in the faith. The Bible differentiates between those who need spiritual milk, like a baby, versus spiritual meat (because as humans, we can actually eat meat as we get older.) (1 Corinthians 3:1-3)

In verse 16, Jesus asks Peter again if he loves Him. Again, God asks about “agape” love, while Peter responds with “phileo” love. But Jesus doesn't ask in comparison to “these”. In this and the next verse, Jesus makes it more personal. It's as if He's saying, “Okay, forget about everything else. It's all about you and Me now.”

Peter loves the Lord, and the Lord wants him to prove it. But there's a different response now. He wants Peter to “feed [his] sheep” -- ones that are older, those that are more mature.

He's asking him to be a leader. Because we know that anyone can simply help someone else, but it's a totally different thing to be in a role of leadership. When the title of leader is given, there's more responsibility. You have to be accountable to those that are under you. You have to be the example, and Jesus was asking Peter to take that next step.

And in verse 17, Jesus asks Peter one more time: “Do you love Me?” But when we go back to our original Greek words, “agape” and “phileo”, the translation has Jesus asking if Peter has a “phileo” love for Him. Some preachers say it's a good thing because Jesus wanted to know if Peter truly cherished Him, while others say that it's a shame that Jesus had to bring the love to a lower level, and because of that, that's why Peter was “grieved”.

But why did Jesus ask Peter the same question three times? That's where another explanation of the word “grieved” comes in. Before Christ died, at the Last Supper Peter said that he wouldn't leave Jesus. But Jesus quickly says no; Peter would in fact deny Jesus three times before the rooster crowed (Matthew 26:33-34). Some preachers say that was the reason Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved Him, because he denied Jesus three times.

But regardless of the reason, it's personal again, and it’s emotional. Yet Peter flat out told Jesus, “You already know—You know everything.” The Bible says that He knows the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12, John 1:1). Peter responds with the “phileo” love, which again, some preachers say is a good thing because it shows that he cherishes the Lord above all else. That it's a consistent love.

But once again, Jesus tells him to feed his sheep. “You love me?” Jesus asks. “Prove it.”

Love requires action. If we love an object, like a family heirloom, we protect it. We take steps to make sure we don't lose it or that it doesn't get damaged. If we love a person, we show them by taking time out to tell them we love them, or we buy them a gift in an act of love, or we spend time with them, or we show them with a hug or do something for them.

There has to come a time in our lives when we take a look at ourselves and have to ask, “Do we really love Jesus?” Because if we do, we'll show it. God showed it by sending Jesus to die on the cross for our sin; He demonstrated it (Romans 5:8).

The best Valentine gift I can share is John 3:16. It tells us that God loved us so much that He sacrificed His Son so that we can spend eternity with Him if we believe. Do you really love Jesus? Then you'll show it.