Do You Love Me?

Simon, son of John, do you truly love Me more than these?

John 21:15
 

In the evening of resurrection Sunday, the disciples were gathered together in a common room when Jesus suddenly appeared in their midst, startling them.  He showed them the scars on His hands and feet, ate a piece of fish, and then talked with them about all the prophecies that they had not previously understood.  Thomas was not in the room at that time, and refused to believe the report of the other disciples until Jesus appeared a second time when he was present.  According to Mark, Jesus rebuked the disciples for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe the early reports of the resurrection.

A few days later, Peter, Nathaniel, Thomas, James, John and two other disciples were by the sea of Tiberius when Peter decided to go out fishing.  The entire group joined him, and they toiled all night long without catching anything.  Early in the morning, Jesus called to them from the shore, "Have you caught anything?"  When they indicated that they had not, Jesus told them to "...throw your net on the right side of the boat."  Immediately the net was filled to overflowing with an abundance of fish.  John exclaimed, "It is the Lord!"  Peter, true to his nature, immediately dove over the side of the boat and swam to shore, where Jesus and breakfast were waiting.

When the meal was over, Jesus turned to Peter and said, "Do you love me?"  Peter replied, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."  Gone was the boastful pride, the self-assured cockiness.  Peter simply said, "You know me better than anyone, Lord; you know that I love you."  Jesus replied, "Feed my lambs."  Again, Jesus asked the same question, with Peter giving the same answer.  Jesus replied, "Take care of my sheep."  A third time, Jesus asked the exact same question.  This time, Peter quietly said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you."  Jesus replied, "Feed my sheep."

 Three denials were swept away with three humble declarations of love and loyalty.  Peter was a different man from the one who denied his Savior in Caiaphas' courtyard.  He still had many of the old personality traits of the infamous impetuous fisherman, but never again would his connection to Christ be questioned.  No one had to ask if he was a disciple of Jesus - he proclaimed it to anyone and everyone.  When the day of Pentecost arrived, Peter stepped forward to speak for his Lord and Savior, and three thousand people were baptized and added to the church.