"Feed my sheep." (John 21:17)
John records one of Our Lord's last moments with Peter, before His ascension. It's probably one of the most misunderstood exchanges in the whole New Testament. While the word has gotten out some, I still see seminary graduates ignoring what should be obvious to one familiar with the Greek used by John in publishing his gospel. Scholars affirm unanimously John wrote a rather pure, grade-school level Greek. There was none of the fancy wording we might expect from the likes of the Apostle Paul, who grew up speaking Greek as his daily tongue outside the home.
The problem in this last conversation lies in the meaning of the words not often being completely translated. It's not that I pretend to correct the work of real scholars, for my knowledge of New Testament Greek is spotty at best. The problem we have is there's no concise word choice in English to convey what is so obvious in the Greek word choice.
First, let's examine the obvious: Jesus warned Peter before His arrest that Peter was not the man he thought himself to be. In John 13:38, Jesus predicts Peter will not only cower in the face of death at Jesus' side, but will go so far as to deny knowing Him -- three times. And it would all happen before that part of the day commonly referred to as "cock crowing." Roman occupation of Judea had brought many small changes in the daily life of the average Jew. One of them was the measuring of the passing of day in blocks of three-hour periods called "watches." For the Roman soldier, life was regulated by which watch he was given for his primary duty. The sunrise watch ran from 3 to 6 AM and was called "cock crowing."
We are told by John how Peter did indeed commit this sin (18:12-27). Mark in his account compresses things a bit (Mark 14:66-72), and Matthew gives us pretty much the same story as Mark (Matthew 26:69-75). It is Luke who digs up the detail that Jesus exchanged a meaningful glance with Peter at the fateful moment (Luke 22:54-62). It appears the home of the High Priest was built on a slope, with an open courtyard below the entrance to the main house. There was a covered porch area, enclosed only by columns, wherein the kangaroo court was held, and Jesus could easily have looked back down the steps into the open courtyard at Peter. Surely this burned in Peter's mind until they met again.
So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?"
He said to Him, "Yes Lord; you know that I love You."
He said to him, "Feed My lambs."
He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?"
He said to Him, "Yes Lord; You know that I love You."
He said to him, "Tend My sheep."
He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?"
Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You."
Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep." (John 21:15-17)
On that peaceful morning, picnicking on the shore of Galilee, at least part of the reason this question and answer took place three times was to show Peter he was completely forgiven for each of the three times he publicly denied Jesus. It had to rub raw Peter's emotional wounds over this, but that was unavoidable. Peter had to have a chance to settle in his own mind whether he was devoted to Jesus, and needed that opportunity to take back his three denials. No doubt he caught on to that aspect of it.
But even more galling was the meaning of the words translated in English as "love." It is commonly understood Greeks used at least three different words where we use one. While the usage of the three words tended at times to overlap their meanings, as we do with many English words, the actual content of the words themselves were rather different. The reader is cautioned not to be simplistic and rigid when referring to these words, but simply be aware of their connotations.
The most obvious word -- eros -- comes from the Greek god of love, Eros. The word usually implies a sexual, emotional desire, though not always in a crude sense. One could be said to eros one's spouse, of course. It's where we get our English word "erotic."
We might expect one could also be friends with a spouse, and that word is usually phileo. It's popular to note this is part of the word philadelphia -- brotherly love. Thus, one might phileo a good friend, that is, feel a certain fondness and attachment.
It's very popular to use the word agape in referring to that high level of spiritual love which comes from the presence of the Holy Spirit. The New Testament writers chose that word because it carries the idea love which comes from God is not a mere feeling, but a decision. This decision assumes a concern, and responsibility, for the welfare of another.
When Jesus first asked Peter of his love for Him, John chose the word agape -- "Peter, are you committed to following Me sacrificially?" Peter's answer was to affirm their friendship: phileo. The second exchange was the same.
The third time, Jesus used the word Peter had chosen: "Peter, are you My friend?" I am convinced Peter was aware of the difference. He wasn't so sure of himself anymore, having failed so miserably and so publicly. He wouldn't claim the place of spiritual leadership for which he had been agitating the other disciples up to the Last Passover. It was almost as if he was actually telling Jesus, "No, I can't claim to really love You, but I am Your friend."
So the third time, when Jesus couldn't get him to commit himself to that, he brought the question down to where Peter was, and I'm sure it stung. Yet, it was a very strong reassurance from the Lord that Peter was still fully acceptable. Furthermore, He was still quite willing to use Peter: "Feed My sheep." He was still useful in spreading the Kingdom message abroad.
In this, Our Lord did, indeed, appoint Peter as the leader of the gang, but I think it was up to Peter to take the leadership in humility, so none would protest. Peter's previous leadership campaign seemed wholly lacking in humility. Eventually, Peter would gain the proper level of confidence, to the point he would make himself the first target of persecution.
Let no one tell you the Lord won't use a damaged vessel. In fact, damaged vessels are the only kind there are. He's in the business of remaking and remolding them to His purpose. You don't have to be anything but available. He calls us all, "Feed My sheep."
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Ed Hurst
revised 24 May 2009
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