Is This Good Enough, Jesus?

Philadelphia.  City of brotherly love, the Eagles, Independence Hall, and cream cheese.  What does Philly have to do with faith?  Actually, quite a bit.  Just the word, though, and not the city.  You see, the word φιλαδελφία (that’s philadelphia in Greek) appears exactly in that form in the New Testament:

…Add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.  2 Peter 1:5-7

The word translated “brotherly kindness” IS the word philadelphia.  It’s derived from one of the Greek words (phileo) that we often translate “love”, and refers to the kind of love that links us relationally with one another.  It’s not romantic love, nor is it the sacrificial love expressed by the Greek word, agape, which is the bold word translated “love” in the passage above.  As you may be able to tell from the passage, there is a progression of growth expected from each of us.  We GROW to be able to love one another with a genuine, mutual affection.  We don’t automatically possess that ability, but as we become more Christ-like, we can love one another with phileo-love.  Ultimately, our desire is to be able to love one another with the greatest self-sacrificing love, agape.

Which brings me to the following famous exchange between Peter and Jesus:

Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, 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.”

He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?”  He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”  He said to him, “Tend My sheep.”

He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, 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 all things; You know that I love You.”  Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.  John 21:15-17

Why did Jesus ask Peter THREE times to answer a simple question when it appears Peter answered it the first time?  Because the English translation hides a secret.  The first two times Jesus asked, “Do you love me?”, He was using the word agape.  To which Peter answered, “You know that I phileo you.”  Catch the gist?  Jesus wanted to know if Peter was ready to give it all to Jesus.  And Peter said, “I’m not quite there yet.” 

What about the third time?  Jesus said, “OK, Peter, do you phileo me?”  Peter responded, “I phileo you.”  I know the dialogue sounds funny that way, but Jesus was taking Peter where he was.  He knew Peter was afraid; that Peter had already failed to stand up for Him when challenged; that Peter didn’t want to let down Jesus again.  So Jesus lowered the bar.  Not permanently, but long enough to let Peter catch up.  Did you happen to notice who penned the words in the first quote?  Peter.  He got there.

Aren’t you glad you have a Savior that accepts you where you are before He takes you where He wants you to be?  Do I love Jesus with the self-sacrificing love He deserves?  I’m working on it, just like Peter did.  I’m guessing you’re right there with us?

Jacob