Sometimes it is good to be alone, away from chattering voices. It is good because you can listen to the earth. It speaks too, in its own way.”
–Elmer Kelton (The Far Canyon)
“The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever.”
“The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever.”
–Isaiah 32:17 (NKJV)
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“agapao” (v) and “agape” (n) are the characteristic words of Christianity. These were used in classical Greek literature but were unknown to the common man because they could only be seen in the gods. Vine states that, “Love can be known only from the action it prompts.”
“phileo” more nearly represents tender affection; it is a relational love.
Keep this in mind as we look at one of my favorite portions of Scripture. The crucifixion and subsequent resurrection has taken place. Jesus has met with the disciples including the time where Thomas was present. We know He was on earth forty days, but we do not know exactly all the details of this time on earth. Perhaps He had been gone from the disciples for a time for Peter suddenly declares, “I am going fishing.” Interesting. A few days earlier they had witnessed the crucifixion, then they had seen the risen Lord, then Peter, out of nowhere makes this statement, but lo and behold, he is answered, “We are going with you.” (John 21:1-4)
Why, all of a sudden, did he feel the urge to go fishing? It is not that he continued to doubt the resurrection. It is not that he was living in fear, and there is no sign of depression–just a simple statement, seemingly on the spur of the moment. We do know that Peter was a spontaneous type of person; it had gotten him into trouble on numerous occasions. Look at who is in the boat with him: Thomas, Nathanael, James and John, and two other disciples.
They fished all night and caught nothing. Maybe they enjoyed the serenity of the sea and the cool breeze of the night air, but they had nothing to show for their endeavors. Does that sound familiar? Remember another time when they fished and caught nothing? A voice, a familiar voice with familiar words, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” (John 21:6, NKJV) They recognized the words of the Master. Peter jumped in the water to swim to shore while the others rowed the boat to the shore where Jesus was waiting for them with breakfast. Ahh, the enjoyment of eating at the edge of a lake or cascading stream from the mountains. Or even, for you beach lovers, breakfast on the beach. That was one of the things that Annie and I used to enjoy, getting up, going to the ocean, cooking breakfast and watching the sun come up.
Then my story: while they were eating Jesus asked, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” (John 21:15) Jesus could have meant the fish and food, or he could have meant his occupation, or …. But get this, Jesus used the term “agapao.” I’m sure Peter was stunned. He understood that no one could love like God. It was only used in literature or in stories the Greeks told. Peter answered, “Yes, Lord; You know that I phileo You.” (Literally, I have “affection for” You).
Jesus asked him the second time, and I’m sure by now the others were listening. “Simon, son of Jonah, do you agapao Me?” The same question, Peter must have been getting concerned. He was not giving the right answer, but he was being honest. He couldn’t agapao; it wasn’t in his power. Peter replied the same way, “Lord; You know I phileo You.” Both times after Peter answered the Lord said for him to take care of His sheep–once to tend them, once to feed them.
Peter knew in the natural that it was impossible for him to do what the Lord wanted. He knew the awesomeness of love. He had seen it in action on the cross. “Love has its triumph and it has its torture. Love has its paradise and has its pain. Love has its mountain of transfiguration, and its olive garden where the sweat is blood. Love is the secret of the sweetest song; love is the secret of the keenest suffering. Love is the very crown of life–and it is a crown of thorns,” so wrote the preacher George H. Morrison. Peter, at this point in his life could only imagine love like that.
Perhaps there was a smile in Jesus’ eyes, but He asked a third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” The Scripture now declares that Peter was grieved. I have heard preachers say that Jesus asked him three times because Peter denied him three times. Perhaps so, but for sure He was trying to drive home a point. Peter now is upset, grieved–heavy in spirit, distressed. But then…Jesus said, “phileo” Me. I can see Peter’s eyes widened, a smile upon his mouth, and the pain he was feeling leaving. “Yes,” Peter answered, “I love You (phileo) Lord.” He continued, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” (John 21:15-19)
Peter didn’t know, at this time, that the Spirit of God would come upon him and others and they could finally understand what the Lord was saying. When the Spirit comes, a man can then actually love (agapao), but only through the Holy Spirit. Love (agapao) is impossible for the natural man, but in the walk with the Spirit we can truly love God and others as He does, for He lives within us.
——————————-
“agapao” (v) and “agape” (n) are the characteristic words of Christianity. These were used in classical Greek literature but were unknown to the common man because they could only be seen in the gods. Vine states that, “Love can be known only from the action it prompts.”
“phileo” more nearly represents tender affection; it is a relational love.
Keep this in mind as we look at one of my favorite portions of Scripture. The crucifixion and subsequent resurrection has taken place. Jesus has met with the disciples including the time where Thomas was present. We know He was on earth forty days, but we do not know exactly all the details of this time on earth. Perhaps He had been gone from the disciples for a time for Peter suddenly declares, “I am going fishing.” Interesting. A few days earlier they had witnessed the crucifixion, then they had seen the risen Lord, then Peter, out of nowhere makes this statement, but lo and behold, he is answered, “We are going with you.” (John 21:1-4)
Why, all of a sudden, did he feel the urge to go fishing? It is not that he continued to doubt the resurrection. It is not that he was living in fear, and there is no sign of depression–just a simple statement, seemingly on the spur of the moment. We do know that Peter was a spontaneous type of person; it had gotten him into trouble on numerous occasions. Look at who is in the boat with him: Thomas, Nathanael, James and John, and two other disciples.
They fished all night and caught nothing. Maybe they enjoyed the serenity of the sea and the cool breeze of the night air, but they had nothing to show for their endeavors. Does that sound familiar? Remember another time when they fished and caught nothing? A voice, a familiar voice with familiar words, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” (John 21:6, NKJV) They recognized the words of the Master. Peter jumped in the water to swim to shore while the others rowed the boat to the shore where Jesus was waiting for them with breakfast. Ahh, the enjoyment of eating at the edge of a lake or cascading stream from the mountains. Or even, for you beach lovers, breakfast on the beach. That was one of the things that Annie and I used to enjoy, getting up, going to the ocean, cooking breakfast and watching the sun come up.
Then my story: while they were eating Jesus asked, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” (John 21:15) Jesus could have meant the fish and food, or he could have meant his occupation, or …. But get this, Jesus used the term “agapao.” I’m sure Peter was stunned. He understood that no one could love like God. It was only used in literature or in stories the Greeks told. Peter answered, “Yes, Lord; You know that I phileo You.” (Literally, I have “affection for” You).
Jesus asked him the second time, and I’m sure by now the others were listening. “Simon, son of Jonah, do you agapao Me?” The same question, Peter must have been getting concerned. He was not giving the right answer, but he was being honest. He couldn’t agapao; it wasn’t in his power. Peter replied the same way, “Lord; You know I phileo You.” Both times after Peter answered the Lord said for him to take care of His sheep–once to tend them, once to feed them.
Peter knew in the natural that it was impossible for him to do what the Lord wanted. He knew the awesomeness of love. He had seen it in action on the cross. “Love has its triumph and it has its torture. Love has its paradise and has its pain. Love has its mountain of transfiguration, and its olive garden where the sweat is blood. Love is the secret of the sweetest song; love is the secret of the keenest suffering. Love is the very crown of life–and it is a crown of thorns,” so wrote the preacher George H. Morrison. Peter, at this point in his life could only imagine love like that.
Perhaps there was a smile in Jesus’ eyes, but He asked a third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” The Scripture now declares that Peter was grieved. I have heard preachers say that Jesus asked him three times because Peter denied him three times. Perhaps so, but for sure He was trying to drive home a point. Peter now is upset, grieved–heavy in spirit, distressed. But then…Jesus said, “phileo” Me. I can see Peter’s eyes widened, a smile upon his mouth, and the pain he was feeling leaving. “Yes,” Peter answered, “I love You (phileo) Lord.” He continued, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” (John 21:15-19)
Peter didn’t know, at this time, that the Spirit of God would come upon him and others and they could finally understand what the Lord was saying. When the Spirit comes, a man can then actually love (agapao), but only through the Holy Spirit. Love (agapao) is impossible for the natural man, but in the walk with the Spirit we can truly love God and others as He does, for He lives within us.