In our day the concept of love has lost most of its significance. We use the word in such mundane ways. We might say, "I love chocolate" or "I love that TV show" and not really include any commitment at all. William Shakespeare said, "Love is not love which alters when it alteration finds." When our love is so easily transferred from one object to another and diluted by whatever circumstances may come up it is not really love.
Following the breakfast served by Jesus in John 21:9-13 a conversation ensued between Peter and Jesus about love. Peter must have been surprised that Jesus would question his love, but three times Jesus asked him, "Do you love Me?" Three times Peter answered, "Lord, you know that I love You." The problem lies in the form of the word love used by Peter compared with the form used by Jesus. The first two times Jesus spoke of a self-sacrificing love (agape in Greek). Each time Peter affirmed a friendship love (phileo in Greek). Peter was stunned when the third time Jesus finally used the friendship form of the word.
Jesus demonstrated the self-sacrificing form of love for us on the cross. He in turn asks us to demonstrate that same kind of love for him. So often we are like Peter and just think about a friendship with Jesus rather than the concept of sacrificial sevanthood. Today, let us each look for ways we can express our love for Jesus by willing service.
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