In this blog, we move from Jesus’ encounters with the disciples in and around Jerusalem to the shores of the Sea of Galilee. As we saw last week, He had prepared another “charcoal fire” and was cooking some fish and bread on it. Breakfast was ready, but first they had to haul in the 153 large fish that they had caught when Jesus told them to throw the net on the other side of the boat.

And there it was just waiting for Peter – another “charcoal fire.” Peter couldn’t forget the first one in the courtyard of the High Priest in Jerusalem just a few weeks prior. It was there that he had denied Jesus three times, and now we have another “charcoal fire” and three questions Jesus wanted to ask Peter. These three questions were asked intentionally in response to Peter’s three denials. These questions are recorded in John 21:15-17.

“Simon, do you love Me more than these?”

What are “these?” More than likely, it was the fish, and by extension, fishing. Jesus wanted to know if Peter loved Him more than returning to fishing and catching fish. Jesus also used the Greek word agape in His question, and agape means a love that is both unconditional and sacrificial. It is the highest form of love in the New Testament.

Peter replied, “You know that I love You.”

But interestingly, Peter used another Greek word, phileo, meaning brotherly love, or love like a friend. Peter was unable to respond with agape love simply because he knew that he fell far short of that kind of love. And Jesus said:

“Tend My lambs.”

Take care of my “little ones” Peter. Shepherd them. Jesus asked Peter again:

“Peter, do you love Me?”

Once again, Jesus asked with agape and Peter responded with phileo. Peter was simply being honest – He just wasn’t at the agape level of love yet. And again, Jesus called him to:

“Shepherd My sheep.”

And then the third time Jesus asked Peter:

“Peter, do you love Me?”

Interestingly, this time Jesus lowered the bar and did not use agape, but asked if he loved Him with phileo love. I love this, as Jesus could have scolded Peter for not stepping up to the plate and loving Jesus with agape love. Jesus knew that Peter just wasn’t there yet, and so He lowered the bar and addressed Peter right where he was – with phileo love. And once again:

“Shepherd My sheep.”

There are two primary “take-aways” in these three questions and responses. First, Jesus comes to each of us right where we are, but then expects us to grow and become who He wants us to be. Thirty five years later, Peter would write his first letter to the churches calling them to:

“Love one another fervently” (1 Peter 4:8)

Over the course of his life, Peter learned to love with the agape love that Jesus wanted from the beginning.

And second, Peter became the faithful shepherd that the Lord wanted him to be. He told the elders of the churches to:

“Shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not with greed, but with eagerness; nor yet as domineering over those assigned to your care, but by proving to be examples to the flock” (1 Peter 5:1-3).

Finally, there is something vitally important that you might have missed. Here’s a question for you: “Whose sheep was Peter called to shepherd?” Yes, Jesus said that they were “My sheep.” Pastors in today’s churches need to understand that the “sheep” in their congregation are really Jesus’ sheep, not theirs. And for each of us, your pastor is just the “under shepherd,” serving Christ and caring for His sheep.

May each of us learn to love with agape love, and to be faithful followers of our Good Shepherd. And remember that if you know Christ, you are one of His sheep, even if you are just a little lamb (a new Christian). Let’s all grow in our faith and become the faithful, mature sheep of His flock.