So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love (agapas) Me more than these [others do—with total commitment and devotion]?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love (philo) You [with a deep, personal affection, as for a close friend].” Jesus said to him, “Feed My lambs.” Again He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love (agapas) Me [with total commitment and devotion]?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love (philo) You [with a deep, personal affection, as for a close friend].” Jesus said to him, “Shepherd My sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me [with a deep, personal affection for Me, as for a close friend]?” Peter was grieved that He asked him the third time, “Do you [really] love (philo) Me [with a deep, personal affection, as for a close friend]?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know everything; You know that I love (philo) You [with a deep, personal affection, as for a close friend].” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. (vv. 15-17)

For many years, I thought this passage was about Jesus giving Peter a chance to undo his denial of knowing Him in John 18:25-27. Peter’s denial of knowing Jesus is written in all four Gospels.

Not many theologians or ministers explain why Jesus mentioned agape (love) while Peter used phileo (love). We do not know if Jesus and Peter were speaking in Greek at that moment but John wrote that Jesus and Peter used different words to mean love. Jesus wanted agape from Peter but Peter loved Jesus with brotherly love.

I mentioned several times that only God can love us with self-sacrificing love. If you look up the meaning, you will find that agape is the highest form of love, which Paul explained in 1 Corinthians 13.

Peter later realized what agape meant and said that we also love (agapao) God.

…and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy
inexpressible and full of glory, … (1 Peter 1:8)

Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him as He loved him. God’s love for us is always self-sacrificing love. But Peter denied that he loved Him as He loved him simply because he did not yet understand the love of God. But later he realized the meaning of love (agape). We also love God and His people with self-sacrificing love. Only those who are truly united with God through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit have self-sacrificing love. Shepherding and feeding God’s sheep requires self-sacrificing love. It is not something that the world can fathom. In fact, unbelievers and false Christians criticize true Christians for not loving.

John referred to himself as the disciple whom Jesus loved. John understood that love (agape) is what binds God and His people. John was given much wisdom and knowledge.

God wants His people to become like Him. He wants us to be one with Him. He gave us His only begotten Son to be our head. Not only do we escape eternal punishment, we also rule the coming world with God.

The Levitical priests, the whole tribe of Levi, shall not have a portion or inheritance with Israel; they shall eat the LORD’S offerings by fire and His property. They shall not have an inheritance among their countrymen; the LORD is their inheritance, as He promised them. (Deuteronomy 18:1-2)

and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. (Romans 8:17)

Then the sovereignty, the dominion, and the greatness of all the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be given to the people of the saints of the Highest One; His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all the empires will serve and obey Him. (Daniel 7:27)

The Reformed theology focuses mainly on sin and punishment. Some of their ministers think that the saints are lower than the angels because the angels did not sin as Adam did. If we are lower than the angels, Jesus is lower than the angels, which the writer of the Book of Hebrews denies.

And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, to the extent that He has inherited a more excellent name than they. (Hebrews 1:3-4)

The Roman Catholic church believes that people who have done great things are considered saints and they are different from other believers. They also worship angels. But we know that the Roman Catholic church is wrong.

And he said to me, “Do not do that; I am a fellow servant of yours and of your brothers the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God!” (Revelation 22:9)

It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things into which angels long to look. (1 Peter 1:12)

By worshiping men and their philosophy, the Reformed church has become just like the Roman Catholic church. The pandemic was the white horse.

… and they said to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the sight of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; for the great day of Their wrath has come, and who is able to stand?” (Revelation 6:16-17)

For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? (1 Peter 4:17)