Writing over 25 years after the resurrection of Jesus, the Apostle Paul tells us that after He appeared to His disciples,

“…He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, even though some have fallen asleep” (I Cor. 15:6).

And so, we see that confirmation of Jesus’ resurrection not only comes from the disciples, but also from over 500 “brethren” who had seen Jesus in His resurrection body prior to His ascension. Paul was challenging any doubters, “If you don’t believe me, most of them are still alive, so you can go ask them yourself!” But there was one additional encounter, in fact, a much-needed encounter, between Jesus and the disciples just prior to His ascension.

If you recall, one of Jesus’ first encounters with the disciples occurred at the Sea of Galilee. After fishing all night, and catching nothing, Jesus told them to cast out into the deep water and throw in their nets, and to their amazement, they caught so many fish that their boats began to sink. It was then that the fishermen, including Peter, began their journey with Jesus learning to catch “people” rather than fish.

After His resurrection, Jesus once again showed up at the water’s edge on the Sea of Galilee. Reminiscent of their first encounter 3 ½ years prior, their nets were once again empty after fishing all night. A “stranger” standing on the shore told them to throw the nets in again, and to their amazement, a huge catch of fish was the result. Of course, they knew it was Jesus who had spoken to them, and after bringing the fish to shore, Jesus spoke to them again. However, this time He had some important things to say to Peter.

Remember, Jesus had not spoken directly to Peter after he had denied Him on the night in which He was brought before the High Priest. Three denials later, Peter went out and “wept bitterly.” You see, Jesus had already predicted to all the disciples that Peter, though he pledged his faithfulness, would deny Him three times that night. And so, remembering Peter’s three denials, Jesus asked him three questions about love, and then commissioned Him to “feed His sheep.” I’d like to focus for a few minutes on the questions Jesus asked Peter.

To fully understand the exchange, it’s important to understand the words that both Jesus and Peter used. It’s important to note that there are several different Greek words for “love,” and each convey a different meaning. The two words used in this exchange are “agape” and “phileo.” “Agape” is the highest of all loves, as it is both “unconditional and sacrificial.” It’s the word used to describe God’s love for each of us. “Phileo,” on the other hand, is “brotherly love.”

Let’s look at the dialogue between Jesus and Peter.

First Question:

            Jesus: “Peter, do you love (agape) Me?” (with God’s kind of love)?

            Peter: Yes, Lord, You know that I love (phileo) You” (with brotherly love).

Second Question:

           Jesus: “Peter, do you love (agape) Me?” (with God’s kind of love).

            Peter: “Yes, Lord, You know that I love (phileo) You” (with brotherly love)

Third Question:

            Jesus: “Peter, do you love (phileo) Me? (with brotherly love)

            Peter: “Yes, Lord, You know that I love (phileo) You” (with brotherly love)

Notice how Jesus began questioning Peter about having “agape” love for Him, but Peter could only respond with “phileo,” that is, “brotherly love.” And Jesus asked the same question the second time, and Peter’s response did not change. So, what would Jesus do, condemn Peter for his lack of “agape” love, and tell Him that he was a worthless excuse for a disciple, and that if he didn’t get his act together, he would never amount to anything?

Of course not. Jesus knew that Peter could not do what he was incapable of doing at that moment in his life. And so, using a metaphor from track and field, instead of keeping the bar high, Jesus lowered the bar to where Peter was. Jesus was essentially telling Peter, “I know that you are incapable of loving Me with agape love now, so let’s start where you are, with phileo love. But Peter, that is not where I expect you to stay.”  

And so, over the next 35 years until his death, Peter learned what it was to love Jesus, and others, with agape love, a love that is unconditional and sacrificial. Notice how Peter remembered Jesus’ words spoken to Thomas,

“Though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him…” (1 Pet. 1:8)

And then, Peter exhorted every follower of Jesus to,

“…fervently love one another from the heart…” (1 Pet. 1:22).

In his letter to the churches, Peter did not use “phileo,” but “agape” when he spoke of “love.” Certainly, over the years, Peter had learned to love Jesus, and others, with “agape” love. And before he died under Nero’s reign of terror, he wanted every follower of Jesus to learn the same, that is, to “fervently love one another from the heart.” We can if God’s love fills us. And He will fill us with His love if we just ask Him to. So why wait?