“[Jesus] said to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?’ Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, ‘Do you love Me?’ And he said, ‘Lord, You know all things. You know that I love You.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed My sheep’” (John 21:17)
It’s not what we know that identifies us as Orthodox Christians, but Whom we love. Our parishes struggle to find ways to educate our children and adults in the true faith. We teach them creeds, prayers, church history, doctrine, liturgical theology, the meaning of icons, and all that is right and necessary. But if they leave without having found a burning love in their hearts for the Lord Jesus, all of our education means little.
Consider that parting of our Lord with St. Peter, the apostle who would have the primary rank among the Twelve. What could He have said in that precious time together? St. Peter had been with Him from the start of His ministry. Might He have reminded him of the thrust of His gospel message? Could He have explained the Old Testament in light of His holy resurrection, as He did when walking to Emmaus with Luke and Clopas? Or like a commander or the CEO of a corporation, leave instructions as to the way He wanted the Church to be organized? As vivid demonstration of the love He had for him, He wouldn’t have the heart to chastise St. Peter for having run off in fear and abandoning Him on that traumatic night when the world was changed. In fact, by repeating the love question thrice, He was healing the hurt without the Apostle’s awareness of Christ’s abundant mercy.
When we encourage our people to read and imitate the saints, it’s because we want them to learn and emulate their great love for the Lord Jesus. St. John took great pride in being considered most beloved by Christ. It’s the only way he refers to himself throughout his gospel. And St. Paul prays for his readers, “that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you being rooted and grounded in love—know the love of Christ that passes all understanding” (Ephesians 3:17,19).
After Sts. John and Paul we find it hard to discover anybody who loved our Lord Jesus more than St. Ignatius of Antioch, who considered it a great honor to be taken to Rome and put to death for his belief in Christ. He welcomed it, and he imagined what it would be like to be torn apart by savage animals in the amphitheater in order to entertain the crowds: “I am God’s wheat and I am to be ground by the teeth of wild beasts to become the pure bread of Christ.” (Letter to Romans 4:1)
So when you read this concluding chapter of St. John’s gospel and come to the question of the Lord: “Do you love Me more than these?” (John 21:15), realize that Christ is speaking directly to you. Take note: He is placing priorities on love. He doesn’t ask if you love Him as much as you love your parents, siblings or spouse. He demands more. More than what—your friends? Your family members? The things that make life worth living? Even your own life? Or is your faith in God a matter of being loved, but not returning God’s love? To go to church, to say your prayers, to obey those in charge of spiritual matters are not really what Orthodox Christianity is about. It’s about love. Love that Christ has for you, and a burning inner desire to try to match His love with your own.