The question Jesus asked peter is: Do you love me?
Love is the heart of the Gospel.
It was love that compelled the father to send is only son into the world.
It was love that gave Jesus the joy to endure the cross for us while we were sinners
This time, Jesus is asking for our love in return: Do you love me?
Will the love the God had when he sent Jesus and the love Jesus had when he died for us, will that love be returned back to God?
Will that love be returned to Jesus?
Finally the third time Jesus ask Peter, he gets but-hurt and says, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.”
“feed my sheep” Jesus says.
This back and forth was more for Peter’s sake, than Jesus’
Like Peter said, Jesus knows everything.
He knew Peter’s heart.
He knew of his repentance.
One time was enough.
But I believe Jesus took his time and did it three times because Peter needed to hear himself say it three times.
It was for Peter’s sake.
Jesus offers us endless second chances.
His grace is unbelievable because it is limitless.
And it was that grace Peter needed to step into the mission Jesus had for him.
