So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, 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 again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, 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 all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. – John 21:15-17, NKJV
Peter was a bold man. In Matthew 26:31-35 we see Peter declaring that if everyone else forsakes Jesus, he wouldn’t. Peter said he would die before denying Jesus. We all know what happened next. Peter denied Jesus three times and then the rooster crowed. Peter ran away crying and ashamed. Then we come to today’s passage. A lot of commentators say Jesus asked these three questions, once for each denial to restore Peter which is very possible. There is one more thing I want you to see though.
The first two times Jesus asked Peter if Peter loves Him with a Godly love (agapao). Peter’s response both times was yes, you know I love you with a brotherly love (phileo). The third time Jesus changes it and asks Peter if Peter loves Him with a brotherly love (phileo). God’s standard is Godly love (agapao). Jesus knew Peter wasn’t there yet and Peter was well aware of it too. Jesus didn’t use Peter’s shortcoming as a way to shame Peter but as an invitation by meeting Peter where he was. It was in the midst of Peter’s shortcoming that Jesus commissioned him (v15 Feed My lambs; v16 Tend My Sheep; v17 Feed My sheep). If we look back to Luke 5:8-11, Peter said, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” But Jesus responded with, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” Our hope is not that we are called because we’re worthy but that we’re worthy because we’re called.