Rev. Norman Wong gave a very interesting message at our church's leaders' conference last night. The passage was John 21: 15-17- Jesus, just before ascending to heaven, asks Peter three times whether he loves Him.

"Simon, Son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?.... Feed my lambs
Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?.... Feed my sheep.
Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?... Feed my sheep."

Each time, Peter answers yes; by the third time, he even feels hurt that Jesus has asked him three times. "Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time..." Perhaps it is symbolic here that Jesus asked him three times, since Peter had denied Jesus three times on the night of His betrayal. Rev. Wong shared another very interesting fact-

In the original Hebrew text, the word "love" was not the same word throughout. The conversation went on something like this-

"Do you love (agape) me?"
You know I love (phileo) you.
Do you love (agape) me?
You know I love (phileo) you.
Do you love (phileo) me?
You know I love (phileo) you."

The word "agape" represents the highest form of love, the self-sacrificial, all-conquering love that Jesus has for us. The word "phileo" represents a lower form of love, a strong, brotherly kind. Jesus seems to be questioning Peter here- "Do you love me more than anything else in the world, even your own life?" And Peter replies, "Yes I do... (but my love is not perfect like Yours)." We would understand it even better if we looked at an earlier passage, where Peter declares, "I will lay down my life for thy sake." John 13:37. Imagine the guilt and grief Peter must have been feeling when Jesus was asking him those three times, as he realised how inadequate and weak his love for Jesus really was. Yet remarkably, Jesus switches the word He uses in the last question. "Do you love (phileo) me?" It seems that Jesus is willing to accept whatever love Peter can offer, however little or weak it may be.

The story of Peter's denial is well-known; yet I believe it holds stronger relevance to us than we think. While Peter's outright denial of Jesus, three times, is an extreme case, we must realise how often we ourselves as Christians deny Christ. Think about it- how often do we emphatically, in our worship and prayers, declare to Christ that we will lay down our lives for Him? Lay down our crowns for Him? Everything we have for Him? And yet when the music fades, our lives degenerate back into other pursuits. When we are called to stand up for Him, whether in word or deed, so often we shy away, preferring to remain in the shadows. I am so ashamed when I look back on my own life- almost every day I tell the Lord that I want to serve Him wholeheartedly and with my entire life, and yet when He strips away everything save Himself, my weak and wicked heart still clamours for the things it once had. I am so ashamed that despite passing by crowds of people everyday, those I know and do not know, I never have the courage to share the wonderful Gospel that has saved me. I begin to get a glimpse of the grief and guilt Peter must have felt on that fateful day.

And unbelievably, Jesus never once condemned Peter. Never. "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." Luke 22:31-32. He still told Peter, three times, Feed my sheep. Jesus counted Peter worthy, able, to carry His Word and strengthen his brethren. Jesus was willing to take what little Peter had to offer, and use it for His glory. And use it He did. Peter went on to become one of the greatest apostles. Jesus' words spoke true- "And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell will not prevail against it." Matt. 16:18.

We are weak; we are so very weak. Any illusions about our own strength must quickly be dispelled, that God's strength can take over. "For when I am weak, then am I strong." 2 Cor. 12:10. And like with Peter, Jesus can take and use anything that we offer Him, in earnestness and sincerity. But we must not withhold anything. "Simon, Son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?" Peter would not have become what he became if he had decided to stick to his former life; but he gave up everything to follow Jesus. And we must do likewise.

Truly, this passage is a testimony to the greatness and depth of God's grace and love. He knows our every weakness. He knows how wicked our hearts are. And yet He forgives us. And counts us worthy to be His servants, His children. Praise be to God.