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Do You Love Him
Contributed by Gregory Thomas on Apr 2, 2008 (message contributor)
Summary: Wednesday Night Bible Study on the responsibility of love.
Do You Love Him
John 21: 15-17
15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
Peter is called out by name because his sheep know his voice and for clarity Peter did not respond as a sheep, Because Sheep are dumb animals and they have no directional senses so they follow the shepherd wherever he goes = Shep-Herd and Peter followed Jesus he just didn’t follow him all the way to his suffering. Although Peter is an arising Shepherd so Jesus has need to examine his love to him, and gives him a charge to keep concerning his flock.
Dined = A Token of Reconciliation
Simon = God Hears
Peter Is asked of Jesus three times “Do You Love Me”
Jesus asks “Do You Love Me”? (Agapeo) = To love dearly
Peter Responds You Know I Love You (Phileo = To treat affectionately or kindly
Peter Speaks but he speaks based upon his emotion (Phileo)
If You Hear Me Feed My
(1)Lambs - Are the young of sheep (Babes)
(2) Sheep
(3)Sheep
Sheep - the sheep is an emblem of meekness, patience, and submission, it is expressly mentioned as typifying these qualities in the person of our blessed Lord
Jesus has cause to suspect that Peter does not love him because in his suffering Peter appeared to be: 1) Shameful 2) Fearful 3) Rejectionist
Peter Had done exactly what Jesus said he would now there are question to be asked
We have no one to blame when our sincerity is questioned especially when we have done everything to make it questionable:
What he doesn’t ask Is:
1) Dost thou fear me 2) Dost thou honor me 3) Dost thou admire me
Question Tonight Is Do You Love Him