Getting real with Jesus Week18, 2017

When Simon Peter answers "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." to Jesus’ question "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" Jn 21:15(ESV)we need the help of the Greek to realise he didn’t answer exactly as Jesus asked. The love of Jesus’ question is agape: unconditional love. The God-kind of love. It is phileus: the love of a friend that Peter uses in his response. Jesus again asks him “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” using agape, and Peter replies in the affirmative using phileus. Have you been scared to divulge to Jesus the true nature of your devotion to Him? The weakness and shortcomings, and perhaps nonexistence of what He demands? Be honest with yourself. Be honest with Him. Is it not amazing Jesus still commissions him saying? "Tend my sheep." Jn 21:16 (ESV) Of a truth There is nothing in us that allows us to claim that we are capable of doing this work. The capacity we have comes from God; it is he who made us capable of serving the new covenant, which consists not of a written law but of the Spirit 2Cor 3:5, 6(GNB).

A father of a demon possessed boy once in dire need of Jesus’ help also confronted his shortcomings. The spirit has often thrown him into fire and into water to destroy him. But if you are able to do anything, have pity on us and help us!" Mk 9:22(ISV)  to this Jesus pointed out the need for genuine faith. "'If you are able?' Everything is possible for the person who believes!" Mk 9:23(ISV). Hear the cry of the man: With tears flowing, the child's father at once cried out, "I do believe! Help my unbelief!" Mk 9:24(ISV). You know Jesus intervened and healed the boy.

But Jesus didn’t leave Peter at that. He takes him up at his own terms and asks "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Jn 21:17(ESV) using phileus, Peter’s own terms. That hurt. Peter was deeply hurt that he had asked him a third time, "Do you love me?" So he told him, "Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you!" Jn 21:17(ISV). Yes we must be true to our affirmation short though they be of God’s righteous and lofty demands. He will take what we have and transform us to His own image. We may start with phileus. We shall end in agape. That’s the love spoken of in 1Corinthians13. That’s the one Peter himself in 1Pt 1:22(ISV) Now that you have obeyed the truth and have purified your souls to love your brothers sincerely, you must love one another intensely and with a pure heart. Beloved as Jesus asks you “Do you love me?” what is your answer? An answer of faith based on what you know (or think) you should or an honest answer from the heart even when it hurts. Indeed, you are pleased with truth in the inner person, and you will teach me wisdom in my innermost parts Ps51:6(ISV).  

Be encouraged to get real with Jesus. He will surely help you. His calling is not because you are worth it, His interventions never because we deserve them. They are acts of grace and mercy.