How do you get from LUV to LOVE?
How do you move from “sure, I love Jesus” to “Lord, I love you!”
That’s the question Jesus asked Peter in their post-breakfast heart-to-heart on the shore of the Sea of Galilee: do you (really) love me? Jesus had risen from the dead, and he had just amazed his disciples with a massive haul of fish where there had been none all night. He had fixed them a meal. And now he’s talking to Peter, only he doesn’t use that name.
“Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”
It’s a loaded question. Of all the disciples, it was Peter who denied he knew Jesus when things got tough (John 18:15-27). And this in spite of being made the Rock on which the Lord would build his church! Some rock. Jesus’s use of the old name must have cut like a knife.
“Simon, son of John, do you love me?
Twice he asked the question, and he didn’t mean “luv.” Jesus used the word agape: Greek for the total, unconditional, love-til-death-do-us-part kind of love. And Peter, knowing that Jesus knew how he had failed — had even predicted it ahead of time — couldn’t bring himself to say yes. In a sense, he denies his savior three more times by denying that he loves.
“Lord, you know that I luv you,” he answered. Luv, not love. Phileo, which is brotherly love or affection.
So Jesus changed the question.
“Simon, son of John, do you luv me?” Phileo. For some reason, this grieved Peter even more than the other question. “Lord, you know everything: you know that I luv you,” he said. You know me, Lord, that’s all I’ve got.
Perhaps he thought that was the end. But Jesus gently continued. “Feed my sheep,” he said. Whether you love me or can only bring yourself to luv me, tend my lambs. Take care of the flock I’m leaving behind.
Maybe Peter wondered how the Lord could still ask this of him. But Jesus met him where he was: True, you went your own way when you were young, he said. No blame, no reprimand, just the facts. But when you’re old, you’ll glorify God by giving your life.
Jesus knew that Peter was on a rocky path. But he was headed in the right direction, and it was time to pick himself up after falling. “And after this he said to him, ‘Follow me.’”
As I read this exchange, I think of the times when I have failed the Lord. Times I thought I didn’t deserve to bear the name “Christian.” Lord, I say. You know me. You see everything. You know all I’ve got is luv.
But Jesus calls me to himself by name. Pick yourself up, he says, and do what I’ve given you to do. “Follow me,” he says. In doing so, your luv will grow to love.
© 2020 Sarah Christmyer
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I can’t believe it! Sarah – I have never “read” Simon as we always speak of Peter’s denial. And to think Jesus actually said Do you love me twice and was satisfied with Peter’s luv. My natural instinct wonders why He didn’t make someone else the Head of His Church. Why someone so impetuous unreliable and may I say scared as Peter?
Actually that is how I am now. I desire the Holy Spirit to enliven my faith… I am expecting much from this Pentecost. But how can an ordinary person when reading that Gospel know Peter said Phileo ? (Ie luv and not love?)
Thank you Sarah for this beautiful reflection.
Peace
Hank
Hi Sarah! I purchased your book, “Becoming Women of The Word”, & I absolutely love it! Every chapter is educational & enlightening. I feel encouraged, edified, inspired & consoled. I’m up to “Ruth” & the timing is perfect considering tomorrow is the Feast of Pentecost/Festival of Weeks. Thank you for doing God’s will & being an instrument to heal & empower women through the gift of words. May our Jesus bless you & those you love! May the Holy Spirit continue to dwell within you all the days you are given.
Your friend, Therese
Sarah,
As always you make such great points. I love reading your take on the gospel readings. Thank you so much for your thoughtful explanation and your honesty. May the Holy Spirit continues to provide you with such wonderful insight.
A perfectly lovely post!
I pray often “Lord teach me to Love like you Love”!! I know Jesus would & does but I fail to follow through often!
Annabelle, I’ve wondered the same thing many times: why the Lord would choose Peter. I always start by remembering how much Peter (and all the others, for that matter; think about Saul/Paul when he was chosen!) — how much they changed after they received the Holy Spirit. I wrote about it briefly here, if you’re interested: https://comeintotheword.com/post-easter-how-are-you-being-changed/. But even with that, in the end, I always come to the point that there is no one on earth who can live up to the high task of leading Christ’s church, alone. Not Peter, and not any of the Popes who follow him. And it is something profound to think about: that Jesus chose someone who had to recognize his failure and sin and dependence on Jesus, to lead his church. Someone who had it all together might have too easily seen it as something he was able to do on his own. Anyway – if the Lord can take impetuous, unreliable Simon and make him Peter, Rock; then what might he make of ME? As to your other question: that is a tough one. There’s a role for homilists to enlighten us in the pews as to the meaning of the Scripture. But there also is a role for us to study the Bible, get to know it, and strive to understand it. Even if it’s only by reading the gospel ahead of time in a reliable commentary. Or by reading blogs like this one! I hope that the little light I shed for you on this familiar passage will enable you to hear the Lord speaking to you in it. Blessings!
The more I reflect on this passage, the more it has become a favorite. That and having reflected on it with you at the very place it happened. Knowing the details of this encounter from the Greek make it so stunning to me. This is the first time it hit me that Jesus called him “Simon, son of John.” To see how Jesus comes down to meet Peter where he is. To ponder than in all his weakness, recounted for us here and in other places in scripture, Peter was chosen to lead. It certainly gives all of us hope in our Savior who comes down to us to be with us whatever our weakness.