GoD's WorK - God's Puzzle Solved

206 God’s Workdined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest[agàpè] thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea,Lord, thou knowest that I [what?] love [philia] thee.” Petercouldn’t say the word “agàpè.” He could only say “philia” whichonly expresses “human love.” He couldn’t convey God’s deeplove – “agàpè.”Degrees Of LoveWhat did Christ say to do, if you “agàpè” Him? He said, “Feed mylambs [love your brother as yourself]. 16 He saith to him againthe second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest [agàpè again] thoume? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love[philia] thee.” This is only “human love.” Then afterward, Jesusspoke, “He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.”Finally, Jesus understood that Peter didn’t get it - or if he did, hedid not admit it. This is because he had boasted earlier that hewould never leave Jesus - even if everyone else ran away. Finally,Jesus spoke the third time. “17 He saith unto him the third time,Simon, son of Jonas, lovest [philia] thou me?” Jesus went downa notch this time from “agàpè” love, to “philia” love. “Peter wasgrieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thoume?” That is exactly what Peter said. “And he said unto him,Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love [philia]thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.” Now, for an importantpoint when Jesus prophesied to Peter, “ 18 Verily, verily,I say unto thee: When thou wast young, thou girdest thyself,and walkedst whither thou wouldest: [deciding by your ownhuman decisions] but when thou shalt be old [Peter’s time ofdeath], thou shalt stretch forth thy hands [perhaps he was crucifiedupside down] and another shall gird thee and carry theewhither thou wouldest not.”