Jesus Reinstates Peter
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.”
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.”
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."
As soon as the breakfast at the beach was over, Jesus' lesson started from asking, "Do you love me?" and it repeated 3 times, hurting Peter who had denied Jesus 3 times at the moment of Jesus' being caught and murdered on the cross. He was also being afraid of soldiers, thinking that they would come and catch him, so he stayed in a house with the doors locked, when Jesus visited him after resurrection.
Then, he went fishing with other disciples, and he was having a conversation with Jesus who had made breakfast for him, the betrayer, and served it by his hands. Peter could have been grieved or hurt by these 3 questions of if he had loved Jesus or not. He must have been shameful or sorry to Jesus, who had seen these behaviors and attitude of his. However, there is no anger or condemnation to him, rather reminding him of loving Jesus, which means loving others. He used to say, "Love your neighbors as yourself." Now, Jesus was saying, "Feed my sheep."
Feeding my sheep who belongs to ME. That's not yours, but mine. The sheep was me and because of these kinds of sacrifices of Jesus and His disciples, I am living as a Christian who believes Him as a child of God. Also, I should be the one of them who take care of sheep or lamb as well. If I love Jesus, I should be a shepherd of someone who is lost. Who are they? What should I do for them? Actually, I know the answer, but I am not taking actions. Let me start praying for them who are suffering from many problems in life, in Jesus name.
