John 21:15-19

Jesus showed himself to his disciples, and after they had eaten he said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these others do?’ He answered, ‘Yes Lord, you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’ A second time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ He replied, ‘Yes, Lord, you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Look after my sheep.’ Then he said to him a third time, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter was upset that he asked him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ and said, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep.

‘I tell you most solemnly,

when you were young

you put on your own belt

and walked where you liked;

but when you grow old

you will stretch out your hands,

and somebody else will put a belt round you

and take you where you would rather not go.’

In these words he indicated the kind of death by which Peter would give glory to God. After this he said, ‘Follow me.’

In this passage, Jesus has again appeared to the disciples after His ressurection and shared a breakfast cooked over a charcoal fire with them. The last time Peter was next to a fire he was denying knowing Jesus, despite having promised to lay down his life for Him.

Just as he denied Jesus three times, Jesus asks Peter if he loves Him three times. By the third time Peter is upset, perhaps because he recognises the parallels. Certainly this is a much humbler, more restrained Peter – one who seems aware of his failings and reluctant to claim to love Jesus more than “these others”. Despite being upset Peter answers each time that he does love Jesus ending by saying that Jesus knows this.

Jesus isn’t looking to punish Peter, but to heal their relationship – Jesus is entrusting his followers to Peter. Jesus remains the Good Shepherd, but he is trusting Peter to care for the flock he has gathered.

The final part predicts the death that Tradition tells us Peter met – crucified under Nero.

Following Jesus may not be easy, but it gives the greatest possible meaning to our lives. Peter gives us an example here of humble service to Jesus. Let us recognise our own weakness and overcome them with trust in Jesus, following Him humbly with love, glorifying God with our lives.