But, the Jews rejected Jesus three times, which in Jewish culture, is very significant. It is a number that signifies completeness. If you say something three times, it is binding in every way, including legally. The first time, it may just be out of anger, the second time is more serious, but can still be taken back. Once it is said a third time, it is final. There are no “take-backs” after that. Take divorce, for instance. A husband that wished to divorce his wife would go up to her and say, “I divorce thee. I divorce thee. I divorce thee.” In the culture of the ancient Middle East, they were now legally divorced. He gives her a writ of divorce, gives her back her dowry, if any, and sends her on her way. This is still done in parts of the Middle East, by the way.
Murder is described by the earthly Jesus as a three step process. In Mt 5:21, Jesus says, “You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘You shall not commit murder’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell (Gehenna).” Taken another way, if I could be liberal with the text, it is another way of saying, “I hate you, I hate you, I hate you!” We are all brothers and sisters, so that should never be said and no one should ever murder and wrongfully take the life of another, because we are all made in the Image of the Invisible God – of God Almighty! To unjustly bring harm to another person is to bring harm to an Image-bearer.
Take a look at Peter, how many times did he deny knowing Jesus? Three. And Jesus had warned him before that he would do that. After the Resurrection, Jesus and Peter had breakfast on the shore. Instead of demanding an explanation of why Peter had betrayed Him, He simply asked if he loved Him. How many times? Three. Peter fell away, but was personally restored to the faith by Jesus. Even then, Peter was hesitant to commit himself fully. Jesus said to him twice, do you agape (God’s love, unconditional) me? Peter responded, “Yes, Lord, I phileo (man’s love, brotherly love, love dearly) You,” the first two times. Peter wasn't getting it, so Jesus said to him the third time, "Do you phileo me?" Why did He do that? I think it goes to show that Jesus will meet us where we are. Peter didn't yet have the faith to fully commit himself to the Cross. Although, we find later, that he did, requesting to be executed by being crucified upside down.
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