Page 122 - The Gospel of John - Student textbook

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testimony is true. And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which, if they were written one by
one, I suppose not even the world itself could contain the books that would be written.

It is interesting that Jesus asked Peter three times, “Do you love me?” There are three Greek words which are
translated “love” in the Bible. The most common two are phileo and agapeo. Phileo means a casual love, more
like the feelings a person has with other people at work or in the church. A city in America is called Philadelphia
which means, “the city of brotherly love.” The same root, “phila’ comes from this Greek word and means
brotherly love. We would say one person likes the other.

The second word, agapeo, means a deeper love. It is used in John 3:16 where it says, “For God so loved the
world…”. This type of love is a love that gives self-sacrifically. It is a deeply devoted love where one will do
about anything for the one loved, even to the point of giving up his own life for the other. It is the deepest type
of love found in the Bible.

When Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love me?”, the first two times, he used the agape love verb. He was asking
Peter to what degree are you willing to follow me. Peter answered the first two time, “Lord, you know I phileo
you (like you a lot). He did not use Jesus’ word, but the less committing love. Then, to Peter’s surprise, Jesus
asked him a third time, “Peter, do you even phileo (like) me?” Peter was grieved that he challenged Peter’s
degree of commitment to a “like.” Peter answered, “Lord you know everything, you know that I at least like you
a lot.” Then Jesus informed Peter that his degree of love in the future will change, for Peter would be willing to
die for his Savior. He would conclude his life with agape love for his Lord.

If Jesus asked you, “Do you agape me?”, what would be your response? Does your life back up what you would
say? To what degree are you willing to sacrifice yourself in love for your Savior?

Application: John 21:24 – 25
The Final Chapter

John’s gospel is in a sense unfinished. John wrote down every word the Holy Spirit directed
him to express, yet the story remains incomplete. That’s because it is yours to write.

John concludes his account of Christ’s earthly ministry with a story of how he and his friend Simon Peter were
impacted. The Lord’s story set their life stories in motion. Peter would be martyred. John would live so long,
people wondered if he would ever die. Both had destinies to fulfill as a result of their time with Christ. Jesus urge
both men to “keep on following Me.”

And so, it is with you – Jesus urges you to follow Him. I have a few questions for you. Please consider each
carefully.

First, what will you do with what you have seen in the pages of John’s Gospel? The greatest requirement and
risk in all the world is to be exposed to biblical truth. We who live in the light have no business trafficking in the
dark. We have learned trues about abiding, washing feet, resting, and what it means to be holy and dedicated
even unto death. How will your life change now that you have these divine trues bouncing around in your
consciousness?

We who live in the light have no business trafficking in the dark.

Second, what is your part in God’s redemptive plan for the world? God had plans for John and Peter, not merely
because they were part of “the 12” but because they were Christ’s followers, called out of their old lives, given

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