John 21:15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon 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.”
Peter denied Jesus three times before the rooster crowed. Here, Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved Him and three times gave him the directive to feed and care for His sheep. Some posit that it was necessary for Jesus to say this three times for Peter to fully understand that Jesus still has a plan and a use for him in His kingdom, even after his repeated denial.
John 21:16 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 thing that gets me here, that makes Peter so relatable to me, is that after Jesus gives him a specific directive (“Follow me”), Peter’s response is not to accept the invitation but to ask about Jesus’s plans for another disciple. Was this because he was nervous about what Jesus was calling him to? Was he jealous? Was he afraid? Was he hesitant to commit and therefore deflecting?
John 21:17 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.
Lord, I fully believe that You have a plan for each of us, something that could be accomplished in other ways but that You uniquely created us to do. Help me to dedicate myself to Your call for me and not to worry about the ways in which You are calling others. Help me to bring You praise and glory always. Amen.
John 21:20-21 Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them….When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”
Have a blessed day.