Jesus once asked Peter if he loved Him. In fact, He asked him three times in a row (John 21:15-17). There was a lot going on in this conversation between Jesus and Peter. Asking Peter if he loved Him three times, corresponded with the three denials of Christ by Peter. At that time, Peter was overconfident that, unlike the other apostles, he would never deny Jesus. When Christ foretold of the temporary falling away of all His apostles, Peter said, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away” (Matthew 26:33).

As we all know, Peter did fall away with the others. He did exactly what Jesus said He would do—he denied Jesus three times (Matthew 26:34). Now, when Jesus asked him if he loved Him, using the highest word possible for love (agapaō), Peter responded by saying, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you” (John 21:15), but he used a word for love that was less than the one Jesus used. He used the word phileō, meaning “to be fond of” and “have affection for,” rather than agapaō, the word for supreme love.

To understand the change of words by Peter, you have to remember both the context and the history behind it. Peter was not suggesting that he did not agape Jesus, but was showing a degree of humility. He previously showed an overestimation of his devotion for Jesus, which, of course, was followed by his denial. Now, by using the lesser word for love, he is showing that he has become a little more humble, maybe even contrite, due to his past action.

The context above leads to the question of whether we love Jesus enough. Do we have agape for Christ? Do we love Him unconditionally, the way that He loves us? The love that Jesus has for us should not only cause us to love Him, but it should control our lives.

2 Corinthians 5:14 (ESV)
¹⁴ For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died;

If we love Jesus the way we should, it will result in living our lives for Him. Listen to what Paul says in the same context as the passage above:

2 Corinthians 5:15 (ESV)
¹⁵ and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

Do you love Christ enough to live for Him? To live for Jesus is to allow Him, by His Word, to dictate how we behave. Paul once said, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me…” (Galatians 2:20). This means that we obey the Lord in all things. Doing what we want to do is not what controls us, but, instead, we do what we know He wants us to do.

To love Jesus enough is to put Him before family, friends, and self; obeying Him even when it is the unpopular thing to do. This love is demonstrated daily and in every situation life throws at us. We give our lives to Him because He gave His life for us. Do you love Jesus enough? The proof is in the way you live.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.