Liminal Space

I learned a new word recently–“liminal” meaning transitional or occupying a position between one point in time and space and the next. Liminal space is that place where we find ourselves not yet having left one way of being and not yet in the next way of being.

We’ve all experienced liminal space. 

• It’s that time when you’re pregnant but have not yet brought this new life into the world;
• It’s that time when you’ve graduated, but not yet begun your new world of work;
• It’s that time when you’re about to retire, but not yet entered into what is next;
• It’s that time when you’ve left social life as you knew it, but are not sure what is ahead.

Liminal space can be a hard place to be.

I think that’s where Peter was after he denied knowing Jesus before His crucifixion and then learned that Jesus had risen from the dead. What do you do next? How do you do life?

Chapter 21 of the Gospel of John gives us a snapshot of Jesus and Peter having a discussion in that liminal space. Once again they’re by the Sea of Galilee—the place where Peter received his call from Jesus in Luke 5. Peter has been fishing, and Jesus is waiting on shore with breakfast on the fire.

After they have eaten, Jesus said to Peter:

“Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” 

            “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” 

            Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” 

            He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” 

            Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” 

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” 

            Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.

Different words are used for “love” in this passage. Some think the change in words is not significant—John is just using synonyms. But I think there may be something to see in the specific words used by John at this moment in Peter’s liminal space:

“Simon son of John, do you love (ἀγαπάω/agapaō–a love of highest commitment) me more than these?”

[This is what Peter previously claimed: “All else will leave you, but I never will!” But now, Peter modifies his proclamation of his affection for Jesus]

¶          “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love (φιλέω/phileō–brotherly love as in “Philadelphia” the city of “brotherly love”) you.” 

[Jesus’ response is to recommission Peter]

            Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love (ἀγαπάω/agapaō) me?”

[Maybe in the light of recommissioning, Peter will revert to his former, boastful way—but he doesn’t]

            He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love (φιλέω/phileō) you.” 

[Jesus recommissions Peter a second time]

            Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love (φιλέω/phileō) me?” 

[This may be significant—Jesus has changed the word from agapaō to phileō; He has moved, or accommodated himself to where Peter is]

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love (φιλέω/phileō) me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love (φιλέω/phileō) you.” 

            Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.

In that liminal space when we are between where we were and where we are going, the best place to be is where we really are. We don’t need to fake it. We don’t need to pretend. We don’t need to be anywhere but where we truly are, and Jesus will meet us where we are as He sends us on to what is next—even after our failures. For Peter, Jesus emphasized it three times to match his three denials. Would God do less for us?