When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. John 21:15-17 NIV

These are the commands, decrees and laws the LORD your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the LORD your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life. Hear, Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the LORD, the God of your ancestors, promised you. Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:1-9 NIV

John adds an interesting epilogue to his book in chapter 21. He tells us his purpose in John 20:30-31, “Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” It would seem his book is finished, but in Chapter 21, John gives us another intimate glimpse into an encounter Jesus had with his disciples in Galilee.

In this conversation with Peter – Jesus asked 3 times, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” John 21: 15, 16, 17. In the Hebrew mind – loving God involved hearing God, and obeying God. Every Jewish man would begin his day by reciting the Shema, “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” God goes on to say, “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates,” Deuteronomy 6:4-9.

Peter responded to Jesus 3 times that he did love him, and then Jesus gave him a command to follow. Later in this chapter Peter was told 2 times, “You must follow me,” John 21:22b. My son in law, who has studied Hebrew, helped me to understand that in the Hebrew mind – loving God meant the same thing as hearing God and obeying His commands. Jesus was asking Peter to show, display, and fulfill his love for Jesus by feeding His lambs, taking care of the sheep, and feeding the sheep.

If we love Jesus, we are also called to take care of and feed the believers that we are called to teach, love, and come alongside in our everyday lives. Is there someone you can pray for or pray with? Is there someone you are being called to disciple? Ask Jesus to show you how he wants you to respond to His specific call to you, “Follow me!” John 21:19b.