When Peter got to the shore, he helped the others draw the net full of fish in. He was astonished the net wasn’t torn even with so many fish. Once the net was brought in, Peter and the others joined Jesus.
Jesus served the disciples fish and bread. This was the third time they had seen him since He was raised from the dead. No one asked any questions, but they knew it was Jesus. They didn’t know when He would appear to them, or how long it would be before He appeared again.
After they ate, Jesus spoke to Peter.
“Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”
Peter’s thoughts raced back to the night of their Passover meal when he and the others discussed which of them were the greatest among them. Peter couldn’t forget what Jesus said to him that night:
“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat: but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”
Peter was embarrassed by the memory of how he had responded to Jesus that night “Lord, with You I am ready to go both to prison and to death!” He also boasted, “Even though all may fall away because of You, I will never fall away.”
Now everyone knew that Peter ran away in fear just like all the others. And to make it worse, when he was recognized as one of Jesus disciples, Peter had denied even knowing Jesus.
Now sitting around the fire after breakfast, Jesus asked Peter
“Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”
Peter understood that Jesus was asking him, do you love me more than the rest of these men do?
Peter noticed that Jesus used the word agapaó love, a sacrificial type of love. It was the same word Jesus used to explain the type of love God has for the world.
Peter had learned his lesson about boasting what he couldn’t deliver, so he chose his words carefully.
“Yes, Lord; You know that I love You,” answered Peter. But instead of using the word agapaó, Peter used the word phileo love, to have affection for.
“Tend my lambs,” said Jesus. But Jesus wasn’t done.
“Simon, son of John, do you love (agapaó) Me” asked Jesus the second time.
“Yes, Lord; You know that I love (phileo) You,” answered Peter.
“Shepherd My sheep,” said Jesus.
Then Jesus asked one more question.
“Simon, son of John, do you love (phileo) Me?” asked Jesus.
Peter was grieved that Jesus asked him for the third time. And he was grieved that Jesus used the word phileo love. Jesus asked, Peter do you have affection for Me?
Peter was boastful no more. He had failed miserably and publicly when he ran away then denied Jesus. Peter dared not claim to have the kind of sacrificial love (agapaó) that Jesus had.
“Lord, You know all things; You know that I love (phileo) You,” answered Peter.
“Tend My sheep,” said Jesus.
Peter had denied Jesus three times. Then Peter declared his love for Jesus three times.
Peter would never forget either one.
And never again did Peter run away in fear or deny Jesus. Peter became the man of God that Jesus intended him to be. For the rest of his life, Peter shepherded the flock of God.
Carla Killough McClafferty