Such similar words could be uttered by lovers in this month of hearts. But such words were not uttered by one lover to another, rather these words were uttered by our Lord Jesus Christ as recorded in John chapter 21 verses 15 to 17.

The story is quite a familiar one among Christians, but I believe we cannot fully grasp the full meaning of the chapter if we do not closely investigate the meanings of the words that Jesus used.

The story goes like this, as Jesus and Peter were having dinner, Jesus asked Peter if he loved him to which Peter replied "Yes" and then Jesus told him to "feed my lambs."

Afterwards Jesus again asked Peter the same question to which he replied in the affirmative and then Jesus told him again to "Feed my sheep."

The third time around, Jesus ask Peter the same question. But this time instead of answering "yes" the verse says that "Peter was grieved" He then said to the Lord that "thou knowest." Jesus then instructed him to "Feed my sheep."

Most people believe that Peter was grieved because Jesus asked him three times if he loved him. But I doubt if that is the case.

In order to fully understand the passagewe have to take close look at the word "Love" as used here.

When Jesus asked Peter the first time if he loved him, the word used here is the koine greek word "agapao." This word describes the intensity or weight of the love that Jesus was asking from Peter. This is a pure or ideal kind of love. This is a love that is willing to die for another person. Jesus was asking Peter if he loved him so much that he is willing to sacrifice his life for Jesus.

At this instance Peter answered him "Yea Lord, thou knowest that I love thee." The greek word here used by Simon Peter is the word "Phileo" refering to a love with a lesser degree than agapao. This is the word used for "brotherly love." Jesus asked Peter if he loved him to the extent that he is willing to die for him, but Peter offered only his "brotherly love."

The second time around, Jesus asked Peter if he loved him using the same word "Agapao" to which Peter answered with the same word "Phileo."

The third time around, when Jesus asked Peter if he loved him he did not use the word "Agapao." The word "Phileo" was used by Jesus. In other words the brotherly love that Peter has for Jesus was even questioned by him. In short Jesus asked Peter if he even truly loved him as a brother.

So here we see the most obvious reason why Peter was grieved. Peter was not grieved because he was asked by our Lord three times if he loved him. He was grieved because even the "brotherly" love that he offered was questioned by the Lord Jesus Christ. Peter humbly replied "Lord, thou knowest."

In all of the three instances after asking Peter his commitment of love, Christ always ends the conversation with Feed my lambs once and feed my sheep twice. He was telling Peter that it is not enough that you say you love. You must demonstrate your love by action. That is to feed His lambs and the sheep. The lambs and sheep here being referred to are the followers of Christ.

The application for us is this, how much do we truly love Jesus Christ ?. Do we love him so much that we are willing to die for him? We may not be able to answer this question correctly considering that we live in a free country and we are free to worship God. But what if we are tortured for our faith in Christ? Are we willing to die for the name of Christ ?

But to prove our love for him, we do not have to be tortured for our faith. All we have to do is demonstrate our love for him by being a good example to other Christians, discipling them and helping them grow in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

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