Jesus called Peter and Andrew to come and follow Him, “They IMMEDIATELY left their nets AND FOLLOWED HIM.” (Matt. 4:20) So, just how committed was Peter? “…a girl said, “This fellow also was with Jesus of Nazareth.” Peter denied with an oath, “I DO NOT KNOW THE MAN!” (Matt. 26:71-72) Later in (John 21:3) Peter makes this statement “I am 1going fishing.” 1hupago: to go away, depart. Peter was giving up his ministry and going back to fishing, some of the others joined Peter, WHY DID HE DO THIS? Well we see in John 21, they fished all night and caught nothing, Jesus came to the shore and said, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.“ So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in BECAUSE OF THE MULTITUDE OF FISH.” (John 21:6) They obeyed because this happened once before (Luke 5:6).
Now Jesus has this interchange with Peter as they stood near the great pile of fish, Jesus says, “do you LOVE Me more than these?” the word Jesus uses is agapaō, which is an UNCONDITIONAL LOVE. Peter responds with phileō, a strong liking or a strong friendship. How does Jesus expect us to love Him? “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who LOVES (agapaō) Me.” (John 14:21)
The third time Jesus asks Peter He uses the word phileō, “Peter was grieved (sorrowed) because He said to him the third time, “Do you phileō Me?” (John 21:17) This sorrow Peter felt resulted in a true recommitment from him. As Peter listed things we needed to do to grow in the Lord and said, “For he who lacks these things HAS FORGOTTEN that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for IF YOU DO THESE THINGS YOU WILL NEVER STUMBLE…” (2 Pet. 1:9-10)
LET’S MAKE SURE WE ARE DOING WHAT WE NEED TO DO…
-Bill Stockham