Be Loved

John 21:14-17

This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” A second time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.

Grace and Peace to you from the mystery in whom we live and move and have our being

jesus answered the question

There it is! Jesus answers a question we rarely ask, “what does it mean to be a Christian?”

We appear to reside in a country where being a Christian carries a reputation of membership on an all-inclusive cruise that guarantees paradise and an all you can eat buffet of spiritual privileges along the way.  All that’s required in some circles is a positive response to the magical question, “do you acknowledge you are a sinner, and do you receive Jesus into your heart as your Lord and savior?” Please say the words my youth leader is hiding behind that tree.

This rite of passage has taken different denominational styles but has been central to joining a church or Christian movement since the reformation and enlightenment years. Like pied pipers, evangelists have turned it into a trillion dollar “non-profit” business using the prayer as an alluring method to grow “The Church.” More often however, it is well meaning, loving Christians wanting people to share in their joy and warn them of hell.

I certainly understand this fervent and urgent desire for sharing the gospel. I shared this zealousness as a young Christian. But once I embraced the beautiful reality of the belonging of us all, believing took on new meaning.

what it means to believe

During the reformation and enlightenment periods Protestants and Catholics distinguished themselves by how they believed. Since then, we as the church of Jesus have diminished the emphasis Jesus made on being the beloved and beloving others.

Marcus Borg says this about what it means to believe,

“…the language of “believing” has been part of Christianity from the first century onward. But it didn’t refer primarily to believing the right theological beliefs. It meant something like the English word “beloving.” To believe in God and Jesus was to belove God and Jesus. Namely, it meant to commit oneself to a relationship of attentiveness and faithfulness. Commitment and fidelity are the ancient meanings of faith and believing.”

I think this is revealed in the gospel of John. 

The resurrected Jesus appeared in the upper room where the disciples sat in their shaken traumatized and abandoned state.

The author says the disciples were huddled in the upper room. Perhaps they were jolted to their very core with every door creek and approaching voice they heard. After what happened to Jesus they must have wondered if they would be next. Who could save them now? They had lost the only one who could calm their anxious hearts.

Jesus the man was no longer with them in the flesh. Now the Spirit would reside with them, and they would need to learn to operate on the words of their faith. The truth they were taught would turn into strong professions and action, motivated by their impassioned hearts. Rooted and grounded in love.

Jesus approaches Peter, the rock on which all Christian community would be built and asks him, “Peter, do you love me?”

agapao (affectionate, welcoming)

The word in Greek is translated Agapao. Agapao is a form of agape but is not the unconditional type, but the affectionate, welcoming type of love. In essence Jesus is saying, “Peter, do you welcome me with deep affection?”

Peter answers with, “of course I love you.” The Greek translation for Peter’s love response is Phileo. The love of a friend.

Jesus asks again, “Peter, do you love (agapao) me?” Peter again responds with Phileo love. “Yes, Jesus you know everything about me of course I love (Phileo)” you.

Jesus asks once again, “Peter, do you love me? (Phileo)

Peter responds, “You know everything. Of course I love you.” (Phileo)

Peter gets his feelings hurt the third time Jesus asks. But this time Jesus uses phileo, the love term Peter was responding with. Perhaps Jesus met Peter where he was. Friend love.

Eventually, Peter would know Jesus’ sufferings and share in them personally. Peter will eventually agapao Jesus by walking in faith and his profession before others. No more denying. But this time his confidence is in love not fear. It helps him withstand what he would endure.

Jesus knew that it is our love responses to the agape love of God that gives us and others what we need.

To reduce our love for God to a confession with our lips only, and for membership to a church or a heaven, is to dishonor the sacred journey of disbelief and divine discovery.

I believe someday every knee will bow in glorious understanding regardless of our journey of belief or unbelief. We will surrender with agapao love to the invitation of our eternal belonging. Until then, we are asked by our brother and Mentor Jesus to feed, nurture, and enrich his sheep.

AMEN