Well...Do you?

John 21:15-17 "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.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved 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."

Do you love me more than these?
Peter responded, “Yes Lord, you know that I love you.”
But that was not the question.
Jesus asked – Do you agape me more than these? Do you love me unconditionally?
This is the same kind of love the Father expresses to His Son in John 3:35. This is the kind of love described in the “new command” in John 13:34 – that they were to Love one another. It is written in such a way, that it represents an intentional action that has no end.

His response was – I love you like a brother (phileo). It is an “affection based on an association”.
I love you because you are my Lord. (conditional love)
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Another way of saying it is, "I am telling you to extend agape love to my followers." This description is particular to weaker followers, in which Peter is told to watch over and teach the Word.

Jesus asked again, “Do you love me?”  Again, this is agape love.
Peter responded in the same way – I love you because you are my Lord (association).
Jesus said, “Tend my sheep.”  This word means to shepherd.  (To take care of, guide or help.)
Do it intentionally, without end, in agape love.  To whom? All those in the Lord’s possession.  Using sheep as the subject, it indicates those in need of guidance.

In agape love, we have a great responsibility to express God’s love unconditionally to His weak followers through teaching and to His other followers by caring.

Jesus asks one more time, perhaps giving Peter an opportunity to express His love publically the same number of times he denied Jesus publically earlier. Peter, do you love me like a brother?
Peter was grieved!  Why must you keep asking? Do you not believe me? Lord, You know everything! With every ounce I can muster, you know I love you because you are my Lord! "Feed my sheep."

Our “kind” of love for the Lord will change as we mature in our spiritual walk.  When we begin our relationship with Jesus, why do we love Him? Because of what He did! That is a conditional love. However, as God continues revealing His unconditional love, we begin modeling that kind of love to each other.  When we grasp that kind of love, we can then mentor, disciple, teach and care for the people of God effectively – which is in accordance to His command.

He is asking you and me, "Do you agape me? Then feed my lambs and tend my sheep."

Well...do you?