John 21:15

John 21:15 says, So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?"  He saith unto Him, "Yea, Lord, Thou knowest I love Thee."  And He saith unto him, "Feed My lambs."  After their physical need was satisfied, Jesus began to address Peter, but He did not address him as Peter, but as Simon, son of Jonas.  Peter's faith had not proven to be very rock like, so Jesus addressed him as He had originally met him.  I can only wonder how Peter was feeling as he was again in the presence of Jesus, though this time it was a resurrected Jesus.  Peter was not moving away now, though, but was staying with Jesus.  Jesus asked if Peter loved Him more than these.  Our love of Christ must be greater than our love of anyone or anything else.  Peter answered that Jesus knew he loved Him, even if his actions hadn't shown it.  If we fail in our relationship to Christ, that does not mean we don't love Him still. It only means we need restoration.  Jesus then told Peter to feed His lambs.  Peter was to bring the lost to Christ, and they would be as lambs, needing nurturing.  Jesus was now again entrusting Peter with this task.  Verse sixteen adds, He said unto him a second time, "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou Me?"  He saith unto Him, "Yea, Lord, knowest that I love thee."  He saith unto him, "Feed My sheep." The question was not exactly the same, but it still dealt with how Peter felt about Jesus.  I don't think Jesus was attempting to make Peter feel bad, but simply was getting him to examine his love for Jesus.  When we fail, God does not come at us to punish us but calls us to examine our love for Him.  Jesus had not forsaken Peter but was calling him to a recommitment to his calling.  Verse seventeen continues, He saith unto him a third time, "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou Me?"  Peter was grieved because He said unto him a third time, "Lovest thou Me?" And he said unto Him, Lord, "Thou knowest all things, and Thou knowest I love Thee."  Jesus saith unto him, "Feed My sheep."  Peter was grieved, but I believe Jesus was also when Peter denied Him.  We may profess a love for God, but we need to realize that God knows all things.  Though Peter had denied Jesus at the cross, he now submitted to Him again as Lord and told Him that He knew that was true.  We can never fool God, but when we as His followers fail Him, we can certain that He waits to welcome us back and to have us continue to feed His sheep.