Scripture Introduction
The church has men in her pulpits who like to hear themselves talk and members who do good works to be applauded. People give money to purchase God’s favor and friendship. Some make a show of religion because they hope friends will notice. Some announce their beliefs quite loudly, convinced that their right profession pacifies God. There are even those who endure much in the name of Christianity because they imagine, thereby, to appease God. But in the end, one question matters: do you love Jesus?
J. C. Ryle: “Knowledge, orthodoxy, correct forms in worship, a respectable and moral life – these do not make a true Christian” (497). Do we love Jesus? That is the issue; it is the question Jesus asks Peter in John 21; we must also answer it.
[Read John 21.15-19. Pray.]
Introduction
You may have heard sermons on this passage which focused on the different Greek words for “love.” From the perspective of sermon-craft, many pastors cannot resist building around that idea. Jesus asks three times, “Do you love me?” and Peter responds each time, “You know that I love you.” But the key, so it seems, is that Jesus asks, “Do you [Greek word] [agapaō] me?” and Peter realizing that he cannot profess the high ideal of “agape love” (having denied Christ), responds, “You know that I [Greek word] [phileō] you.” The same thing happens again. Then the third time, Jesus lets Peter off the hook by saying, “Do you (at least) [Greek word] [phileō] me?” and Peter responds, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I [Greek word] [phileō] you.” According to this theory, [Greek word] [agapaō] is a higher love, even, “Divine Love,” and Peter, having failed, is humbled enough to refuse such a claim. He will only profess [Greek word] [phileō], a friendly affection far short of perfection.
If you have either the New International Version or the New King James version, you will see this distinction right in the text. The NIV translates [Greek word] [agapaō] as “truly love,” but [Greek word] [phileō] as simply “love.” John 21.15 (NIV): “When 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.’” The New King James draws a similar distinction by way of a textual note. In the actual verses, [Greek word] [agapaō] and [Greek word] [phileō] are both translated “love,” but the four times that the word [Greek word] [phileō] is used, there is a footnote explaining: “have affection for.”
In spite of the subtle difference there may be between these two Greek words, I do not agree with the distinction that is often made in sermons. Here are five reasons:
First, both words describe God’s perfect love: John 3.35: “The Father loves [Greek word] [agapaō] the Son and has given all things into his hand.” John 5.20: “For the Father loves [Greek word] [phileō] the Son and shows him all….”
Second, the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible) uses the words interchangeably: Genesis 37.3-4: “Now Israel loved (Hebrew: [Hebrw word] [Greek word] [agapaō]) Joseph more than any other of his sons, because he was the son of his old age. And he made him a robe of many colors. 4 But when his brothers saw that their father loved [Hebrew word], [Greek word] [phileō]) him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him.”
Third, [Greek word] [agapaō] does not always denote a good object or a divine love. 2Timothy 4.10: “For Demas, in love [Greek word] [agapaō] with this present world….”
Fourth, though modern interpreters say that [Greek word] [agapaō] is the higher, “divine” love, that has not always been the case. Puritan pastor Matthew Henry (late 1600s): “In the first two enquiries, the original word is [Greek word] [agapaō] – ‘do you retain a kindness for me?’ In answer to which Peter uses another word, more emphatic, [Greek word] [phileō] – ‘I love thee dearly.’” R. C. Trench (Synonyms of the New Testament, 1880, p. 40) agrees, saying that [Greek word] [agapaō] is philanthropic and altruistic, but without emotional attachment, and therefore much too cold for Peter’s affection. That is why the apostle prefers [Greek word] [phileō].
Fifth, John often seems to use synonyms. In this very passage, he uses two words (which we translate “feed” and “tend”), but which are very similar in meaning; he uses the words, “lambs” and “sheep” when Jesus seems to refer to his people in both cases; and in verse 17, when Peter says, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you,” there are two different Greek words for “know.” Donald Carson comments: “These have not stirred homiletical imaginations; it is difficult to see why the first pair should” (677).
I usually avoid vocabulary analysis on Sunday morning. My opportunity to preach to the church gathered is too limited to delve into such debates; those belong to another place and time. I mention it today for two reasons. First, because the text is so familiar and so often taught based on the subtle difference in meaning of those words, I thought some might wonder if I did not mention it. Second, those five reasons are examples of how you should approach Bible study. Hopefully they will give you some ideas for your own work in God’s word.
But if the meaning is not hidden in the Greek vocabulary, what is happening, and what would God say to us through this passage? Several things, first…
1. Serving Christ Requires Humility
Beside a fire, Peter denied him three times. Now dripping wet, standing by another fire, warming and drying, Jesus publically drags Peter back to that moment.
“Do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” “Feed my lambs.”
“Do you love me?” “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” “Tend my sheep.”
“Do you love me?” “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” “Feed my sheep.”
On Passover night, in the upper room, maybe emboldened by a cup of wine, Peter insists his commitment is greater than all other’s: “Even though they all fall away, I will not” (Mark 14.29). Now Jesus reminds him of that boast: “Do you love me more than these?” In other words, “Simon, do you now know your own weakness?” But the painful lesson has been learned, and the humbled heart speaks of love apart from haughty comparisons: “You know that I love you.”
But the Lord is not finished healing Peter’s soul and removing his shame. Twice more the question slaps him in the face: “Do you love me?” Then: three questions from a young girl and three denials from once-proud Peter. Now: three questions from Jesus and three simple affirmations from a chastened disciple. Serving God does not require perfection; it does require the humility to admit your own failings.
But also observe that Peter’s every profession of love evokes a commission from Jesus: serve me by pastoring my people. You need not be a great scholar to serve God; you do not have to be gifted in extraordinary ways. You must, however, boast in your weaknesses. You must be teachable. You must do all things through Christ, who strengthens you through his Spirit. Only those humbled by an honest realization of their needs can serve the God who insists: “not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit.” Notice also that…
2. Serving Christ Requires Love
Juan Williams spoke on NPR this week about the difference between Dick Chaney’s speech and President Obama’s. Mr. Williams critiqued Mr. Chaney’s snarling delivery, growling demeanor, and apparent anger. Now certainly there are more important issues in the debate over national security than facial expressions. But listening to that commentary reminded me of this passage and the priority Jesus places on love. Many and varied are the qualifications for leadership in the church, or home, or business, or school, or among peers. But one rises up and first and foremost.
John Calvin (218-219) applies this to pastors, but it is true for all who serve: “By these words Christ means that none can faithfully serve the church and sustain the task of feeding the flock unless he looks higher than men. In the first place, the office of feeding is in itself laborious and troublesome, for nothing is more difficult than to keep men under the yoke of God, many of whom are weak, others light and unsteady, others dull and sluggish and yet others hard and unteachable…. Add to this the ingratitude of many and other causes of weariness. Therefore he will never steadfastly persevere in this office unless the love of Christ so reigns in his heart that forgetting himself and devoting himself entirely to him, he surmounts every obstacle…. Those called to govern the church should therefore remember that if they want to discharge their office truly and properly, they must start off from the love of Christ.”
Of course we are not saying that godliness and maturity and Bible knowledge are insignificant. I am saying this: love is the priority in sequence and significance. Those who love God deeply, though their natural gifts and abilities may be less than another, will do more for the kingdom than another of greater ability and less love. Thus Jesus demands of Peter: “Be done with your bragging, and assertions of strength, and arguments for your superiority and saintliness. Do you love me?”
3. Serving Christ Requires Submission
Fear prodded Peter to call down curses as he disavowed any friendship with Jesus. Then the rooster crows, and he ran away and wept bitterly. He must have felt the lowest of the low in those moments. We might say: “Here is one who may never recover, much less be restored.”
Yet Jesus’ three-fold commission to care for the church so completely reverses the failure, that some now make Peter the head of the church and the bishop to whom all others much bow down! Such a view is silly, but it does show how wonderfully Christ relieves the fear and guilt of those who stumble and fall, yet love him.
But notice that even after Peter’s lofty return to favor, the people to whom he is sent remain God’s people. “Feed my lambs; tend my sheep; feed my sheep.” The minister who serves his congregation with the spiritual food of God’s word, faithfully prayed over in the study and taught from the pulpit, has a high and holy privilege. Even so, he remains an under-shepherd, a servant of Christ and a steward of his mysteries. There is no place for self-exaltation of self-aggrandizement in the service of God; all must be done for his glory and by his means, for those we serve remain God’s people.
4. Serving Christ Requires Suffering
Jesus tells Peter where love and humility and service end: with martyrdom.
Augustine: “It was necessary that Christ should first die for Peter’s salvation, and then Peter die for Christ’s Gospel.”
When Joseph Tson was imprisoned for preaching the gospel in communist Romania under Nicolae Ceauşescu, he imagined that if he ever was released, the church would cheer his faith and suffering. But such a propaganda campaign was waged against him that when he was granted house arrest, the people hated him. In prayer he cried to the Lord that this was not fair and God reminded him that he was to suffer for God’s reasons and God’s causes, not his own acclaim. “Joseph, you are willing to die for me for your own glory; are you willing to die for me for mine?”
Whether our suffering comes through physical death or death to self, it will appear disgraceful in the eyes of the world. Yet such is honorable and precious in the sight of God and all the faithful, for thereby God is praised (Psalm 116.15).
5. Conclusion
None of us serve God as apostles or popes. Few are even required to work as pastors. But everyone here has the calling to serve Christ. You serve God when you honor your husband and provide for your family. You serve God when you befriend a neighbor or speak a word of hope to a co-worker. You serve God when you teach young students. You serve God at school when you pursue a true knowledge of God’s word and God’s world. We are working hard as a church to understand how to serve God as winsome witnesses to Christ’s work in our lives and faithful evangelists for God’s good news of grace. So everyone here has an interest in how you might serve well.
First, remember that Christ wants your heart-love. This is the great grace which makes Christian service possible and beautiful. Some of you will say, “But I have failed God; I have fallen short; I have foolishly toyed with sin or hidden in fear from opportunities to stand with God and his people.” Yes, we have; and so did Peter. But Christ does not elicit a promise to fail no more; he asks, “Do you love?” A heart warm toward God, and infatuated with the grace of Jesus will do more good for yourself and others than many can imagine. God overlooks great faults and stupendous weakness in those whose heart is right. Love God!
Second, learn the lesson of humility. Many Christians suppose that if they had just not sinned, they could serve. But Jesus says to Peter, now that you know your faults, you can serve in my strength. The lesson of humility is not for you to think less of yourself; it is to think of yourself less and of God more. J. C. Ryle: “Those who have been greatly tempted, and have had much humbling experience of their own sinfulness, and have had much forgiven them, generally prove the most tender, compassionate, and attentive pastors of weak, bruised, and trembling believers.” The same is true for non-pastors: when your insufficiency finally meets God’s all-sufficiency, then you have living water to offer other thirsty souls.
Third, always seek to appeal to God’s knowledge of your heart. Can you stand before the Lord and say, honestly, “God, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Many want to say, “You know that I believe in the Trinity” or “You know that I attended church” or “You know that I did not steal” or “You know that I am a Calvinist” or “You know that I told my neighbor that they needed to repent and believe and attend church.” “You know I told my wife to submit.” But can you stand before God and say, “You know my heart; you know that I love you”?
Fourth, remember that “steady, patient, laborious effort to do good to Christ’s sheep scattered throughout this sinful world is the best evidence of being a true-hearted disciple” (Ryle, 500). Matthew 20.26-28: “Whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
The church has many chiefs and few Indians, many managers, fewer workers; many masters, few slaves. Is your heart tuned to the song of service that the Savior still sings? Love Christ and humbly serve his sheep.
