John 21:15-17 KJV
15 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 that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
Peter had just previously denied Jesus three times, so the fact that Jesus asks this very important question to Peter three times is significant.
In this exchange, Peter now declares his love for Jesus three times and is entrusted with the Lord’s work three times.
Peter is now restored to his prior position with Christ, after failing and denying Him on three separate occasions.
Also keep in mind that the number three signified completeness (think Trinity, Father, Son, Holy Spirit) and the third time asking the question brings the topic to complete finality.
CHRIST AS SHEPHERD and BELIEVERS AS SHEEP IS A COMMON THREAD IN THE BIBLE
In the 23rd Psalm, David who was a shepherd as a young man said, “The Lord is MY shepherd I shall not want.”
In the Gospel of John, Jesus referred to his followers as sheep and in other scriptures the body of Christ is often referred to as the flock.
John 10:14-15 KJV
14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
John 10:25-27 KJV
25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me.
26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.
27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
THE QUESTION IS ASKED THREE TIMES and THE DIRECTIVE GIVEN THREE TIMES
In verse 15, Jesus asks Peter “Lovest thou me more than these?” In adding “more than these” it isn’t clear if Jesus was referring to the other disciples who were there or if he was referring to all the worldly things that surrounded them. I’m inclined to believe it was the latter and in adding “more than these”, Jesus was asking Peter if he was ready to give up everything for the sake and work of Jesus. In other words, are you willing to give up all of this to take my message and love to all the world?
There was one other difference found in the first exchange. He said in the directive to Peter, “Feed my lambs.” Feed my lambs is more exactly interpreted “feed my little lambs.” Referring to young, newborn babes in Christ, who have begun the Christian pilgrimage. These were His lambs, purchased by His blood on the cross of Calvary. He wants His love and affection to be shown by Peter, here specifically, but also by all who He would send out and all today who believe and follow Him.
Christ is giving Peter the directive of providing the instruction, care, guidance and direction needed by the flock.
In verse 16, Christ leaves out “more than these” and simply asks “loveth thou me?”
Then, after Peter’s reply, He gives the directive, “feed my sheep” Feed my sheep refers to the body of Christ.
In verse 17, Jesus asks Peter “lovest thou me” the third time. This seems to definitely cut to the quick of Peter. The third time asked to the one who had denied three times, seems to imply doubt in the mind of Jesus and this hurts Peter to the core. It obviously reminded Peter that he had denied Christ three times and just remembering this had to bring great grief and sorrow to him. Peter thus appeals to the “all knowing, all seeing” Jesus, to know without doubt that he loves Him.
Jesus again for the third time, gives Peter a directive. Feed my sheep.
In asking Peter three times if he loved Him, Jesus was reminding and admonishing Peter of his sin of denying Him three times. All the while He was instructing Peter to be vigilant in the performance of his duties to the body of Christ.
It was in perfect order that he who had denied Christ three times, was asked to profess his love for Christ three times, which would give Peter total assurance that he was forgiven and restored to his apostolic office.
CHRIST'S DIRECTIVE IS ALSO FOR US TODAY
At the time that Jesus gave these words to Peter, the Christian church was small in number, and it would take disciples like Peter and the others to spread the gospel of Jesus to all of the world. To grow from 12 to 70 to hundreds to thousands.
Today, the words of Jesus speak to us, just as they spoke to Peter.
It is our job as current day disciples to be living examples of the teachings of Jesus, in our words, actions and deeds, and in doing so to be a blessing to the sheep and a light to those in darkness.
ALL of us, as believers, have the same obligation and duties. Not only are our lives to be the “light of the world” for those living in sin and darkness, we are also to be a blessing, encouragement, inspiration and EXAMPLE to the “sheep” of our Lord.
The flock or body of Christ needs feeding today as much as they did in Peter’s time. Many of the body of Christ have today seemingly turned to politics as their guidance and direction. Some have even fallen away saying that the teachings of Jesus are no longer relevant in their White Christian Nationalism movement.
Christ’s directive was vital then and it remains vital today. Not just for pastors, or teachers, but for ALL of Christ’s followers.
Again, we must ALL be living examples of the teachings of Jesus, providing a blessing, encouragement, inspiration and EXAMPLE to everyone in our small circle of the world.
As much as ever, Christ beckons and pleads with us, his disciples, “FEED MY LAMBS—FEED MY SHEEP.”
RVH