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An Unfinished Breakfast
(excerpt from Chapter Three – The Purpose of the Future)

“Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” John 21:17b NIV

A meal with friends is just beginning when the plates are empty. The best part is always the visit. We find the disciples having breakfast with the Master. We join them on the seashore in John 21:15, where they had taken their last bites.

Christ will always feed us if we are willing to give Him the time to serve us. How often do we urge our children or grandchildren to eat when they are hard at play? At times, they certainly don’t want to be spoon-fed, much less take time to feed themselves. We are the same way – so busy. Children are often on a short fuse when they haven’t eaten, but we know they must. If we can’t stop to let the Master serve us a regular diet of spiritual food, we are too busy. If we have not cared enough to feed ourselves, then we are too carefree.

It takes time to sit and be nourished instead of waiting until struggles come your way to allow the Master to feed you. Do this in the quietness of life, in the “daily-ness” of life. When the struggles come, it’s unfortunate but true – you will only be strengthened emotionally to the extent you have sustained yourself spiritually. Perhaps you have faced a hard time, physically or mentally. The mind and body are too faint to sit at the feet of Jesus and learn of Him. The distractions are overwhelming. During these times, it’s the hardship itself that is served up to teach. It’s difficult to walk by faith and even more difficult to be a testimony to others.

This passage is a “show and tell” for at least one disciple. Jesus has a word with Peter about feeding others over a good hot breakfast. It’s as if the others bury themselves in the sand while Peter comes to the forefront. When Jesus picks you or me out from the crowd, He has something of great value to teach us. Can you think of a time or circumstance where you felt the Lord picking you out from others?

Christ asks Peter something very specific in this passage. In the Greek, there are several different words for our word ‘love’. We will deal with two of them: agape, which is a volitional, self-sacrificial love and phileo signifying affection, affinity, or brotherly love. Think of it this way. Agape love is in the best interest of another, where phileo love is in common interest with another.

First, Christ asks Peter, “Do you truly agape love me more than these?” This is self-sacrificial love, but Peter responds, “Yes, you know that I phileo love you.” His answer affirms friendship love. I’ve placed the kind of love in italics with each reference to help us see the point more clearly.
This dialogue reminds me of my kids! I ask a simple question, but get an unexpected, unclear answer. Surely, my child understands the question. Getting the truth is not always easy. Christ intends to finally receive the truth from Peter’s heart.

Once again, we find Christ full of purposeful questions. He will continue asking us the same questions until honesty surfaces. He already knows the truth, all the while it is the Lord’s intention to reveal the truth He knows to us. If you are like me (and Peter), you have discovered that Christ has a way of revealing something to you about you which you did not realize. In the passage, Jesus replies to Peter’s answer with a command, “Then feed my lambs.”

Again in John 21:16, Jesus asked, “Simon, son of John, do you agape love me?” Peter answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I phileo love you.” A similar reply came from Jesus: “Then take care of my sheep.” Christ makes simple commands, but He’ll make them repeatedly until we are ready to obey. Prepare your heart for immediate obedience.