April 27, 2023: Breakfast With Jesus (Part 1)

"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." He said to him, "Feed my lambs." (John 21:15, ESV)

After the resurrection, the disciples saw Jesus two times. He sends seven of them back to Galilee, where a breakfast and a difficult conversation occur. Remember, Peter had denied Jesus three times. 

Jesus asked Peter, "Simon, do you agape me more than these?" He does not call him Peter but Simon. That had to sting a bit since Jesus named him Peter. Now Jesus is calling him Simon. And the question, "Do you agape me more than these?" had to hurt, given Peter had this great boast that he would die for Jesus and instead denied Jesus three times. Peter answers, "Yes, Lord, you know I 'phileo' you." The difference between these words is vast. Phileo is a brotherly type of love. Agape is an unconditional, self-sacrificing kind of love.

The third time Jesus asks, "Peter do you love me?" He, too, uses the word Phileo. Jesus met Peter where he was. Peter says you know I phileo you! To which Jesus states, "Feed my sheep." The conversation ends with Peter hearing two times Jesus say, "Follow me. 

Jesus did not have this difficult conversation with Peter to crush him. He had it to restore him. Jesus had to take Peter back to where he failed to demonstrate how much Jesus loved, accepted, and trusted him. Jesus restored, re-commissioned, and re-entrusted Peter, all after a hearty breakfast