The Best That I Can

It is Holy Week. Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter. There were so many events that happened during this week for Jesus and really so much to choose from. But tonight, I will focus on Peter.

During the Passover Meal, Jesus tells Peter that he (Peter) will deny Him (Jesus)that very night. Peter fights back, "No Lord! I will never do that! I will lay down my life for you!" (This is my paraphrase) Really, he is claiming that he loves Jesus more than Jesus will ever know. And then, that very night, just as Jesus predicted Peter denied knowing Him three times.

Peter is devastated. Mournful. The end.

I know that feeling. Praying for opportunities to share God's love I quietly step away with the thought that, "...the time is not right..." Denial. Guilt. The end.

Fortunately, we do not live pre-Easter. We are Easter people. It is not the end for us. For me.

Looking ahead in Scripture, after Christ has risen (that's right, He didn't stay dead) we see Jesus come to the disciples in the account written by John. Jesus stands on the shore looking out to the men whom He had called to follow Him. They went back to what they knew...they were fishing again. And Peter sees Jesus and jumps out of the boat and swims to Him. The others row to shore and all meet Jesus there at the water's edge. He has a fire going and He makes them breakfast. It is quiet around the fire. They are all looking Him and Scripture says that they don't dare ask, "Who are you?" Because they know it the Lord. They are in awe...that is my guess.

And then Jesus says, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?" See, Jesus turns to Peter, calls him by his given name and calls him out on the denial. Really, do you love me more than these...as you claimed not too long ago? And not only that, Jesus is using the agape love here. This unconditional love that is bound my nothing but love itself...the kind of love that Peter did not prove that night.

I am picturing Peter, still devastated and I think he must be hanging his head. The shame and pain and the yes, I know I disappointed you Lord feeling. And he answers, "Yes Lord, you know that I love you." But it isn't the agape love that Peter answers with, it is the philo love, the brotherly love, the love that has some limits. Yes, it is deep...but for Peter and Jesus...it is not what he claimed. And this is what I think, I don't know what some Pastors would say, but I think that what Peter is saying is, "Lord, I am loving you the best that I can."

"Feed my lambs."

And then Jesus asks it again. "Simon, do you truly love me?" It isn't weighed against everyone else around the fire. Just Peter. Do you truly love me? Agape love? Unconditional?

And again Peter answers, "Yes, Lord. You know that I love you." I can hear the raw throat of holding back the tears. I am loving you the best that I can.

"Take care of my sheep."

And Jesus asks a third time. A third time to match the third denial. "Simon do you love me?" But this time it is different. Jesus isn't asking for an agape love...He is asking for a philo love. And this question brings tears to my eyes. Jesus is asking, "Are you loving me the best that you can?"

And Peter breaks down and says, "You know all things; you know that I love you." You know that I am loving you the best that I can.

"Feed my sheep."

And with that Jesus reinstates him...lets him know that his ministry is not over.

Jesus' love is not based on our love. Jesus loves unconditionally but does not expect us to love him like that back. He knows that we can't while in this sinful state. What Jesus wants...is for us to love Him the best that we can.

Look what He did with Peter. Peter stepped up and changed the world. What could you do if you trusted Jesus with your love?

Feed His sheep.