Three Times

So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?”

He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”

He said to Him, “Feed my lambs.”

He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?”

He said to Him, “Yes Lord; You know that I love You.”

He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”

He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me?” …

And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.”

Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.”

John 21:15-17

What a comeback for Peter! A few chapters ago in the book of John in chapter 18 we read of Peter denying Jesus, not once, not twice, but three times. And then the rooster crowed. Oh how terrible Peter must have felt when he heard the rooster crow! He realized what he had done. There was no way to take back what he just said. Peter would have just wanted to hide somewhere. No, that wasn’t his true feelings. He cared for Jesus. He loved Jesus! But he denied Jesus because he was afraid.

After Jesus was crucified He was placed in a tomb. But on Sunday morning Mary Magdalene found out that the tomb of Jesus was empty. She ran to tell Peter. Peter and John ran to find out. John arrived at the tomb faster, probably because he was younger. But when John was just standing at the entrance, Peter went into the tomb. Peter had to find out. He wanted to see Jesus.

Now in chapter 21 Jesus is asking the question to Peter, “Do you love Me?” not once, not twice, but three times! Peter answers, “You know that I love You!” The last time when Peter denied, he heard a rooster. But this time Peter hears the sweet voice of Jesus, “Follow Me.” (verse 19)