John 21:4-19

Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, you have no fish, have you?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the sea. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off.

When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred fifty-three of them; and though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that 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 said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.” (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, “Follow me.”

There is lots to speculate with what's going on here between Jesus and Peter.

Three times Jesus asks Peter if he loves him and three times, Peter (in increasing frustration sounds like), answers yes. 

First, it may - or may not - be important that Jesus and Peter are using two different words for "love" here. In the Greek, there are at least four words for 'love.' (more depending on who you are asking).  Two of those words are used here: Jesus begins by asking Peter if he loves him using the words "agape:" the highest, more spiritual love. It is the love we are called to for all of humanity. It is the most profound love. It is unconditional love.

Peter replies using "phileo," which those of us from Philadelphia might know from hearing the term "brotherly" love. It's affection. It's warm feelings of tenderness. It's the highest form of platonic love.

By the third time he asks the question, Jesus changes to "phileo" and leaves it there.

Maybe Jesus gave up that Peter would reply with "agape."

Or, it's possible that the words were often used interchangeably and there was something else going on.

Maybe Jesus was messing with Peter just a little bit after Peter's three times of denial.

Or maybe, in love, Jesus was giving Peter the chance to repent of those three denials so that Peter could begin again.

So that all that had come before the crucifixion would be over and Peter would move from disciple to apostle.

Jesus, teach me to love unconditionally and prepare me not simply to follow you, but to show your love to the world. Amen