How Much Do You Love Me?

John 21:9, 13-17 ESV
“When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread.   Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish.  This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”  He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”  He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 

He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?”  and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.”

Explanation:
First of all I need to say, I’m always impressed at the servant nature of Jesus, even in His resurrection. He prepared a wonderful breakfast for His disciples, no doubt a delicious breakfast. After breakfast Jesus wanted to reinstate Peter to where he needed to be. Approaching Peter alone, He said, “Simon.”

He did not call him Peter, the Rock, but Simon. It was not in anger, it was more of back to the beginning type address to Peter. After all, in Peter’s mind, he was back to the basics. Jesus then asked Peter, “Do you love me more than these (more than the others love me)?”

Peter had been boisterous about his love for Jesus before the night he betrayed Jesus. Now Peter was withdrawn, quiet, debased in his own mind. Jesus asked Peter twice if he loved him with a personal type love, and twice Peter responded that he did love Jesus, but as a friend, not willing to commit to a deeper love.

The last time Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him, He conceded with taking Peter’s love as a friend. Why? Because, like He does with us, Jesus comes to us, when we have lost our way, and takes us as we are. Not asking for an apology, or for us to grovel, He just wants to bring us back where we belong. What a loving, forgiving, kind Savior we have!

Prayer:
Lord, You know we love You and how we love You. See inside our hearts, restore us, and get us back on the right track. Bring us back to the place we belong. In Your name Lord, Amen!