When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” (John 21:15a)
Rested and refreshed after the simple meal of bread and fish, Jesus and the disciples sat around the fire. Then Jesus looked at Peter, and asked him a personal question. “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”
All kinds of thoughts went through Peter’s head. He realized that Jesus was asking him this question with a purpose.
On the night when He was betrayed, Jesus said to His disciples, “You will all fall away, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’” (Mark 14:27) Then Peter objected, “Even though they all fall away, I will not.”
How differently things turned out.
In Mark 14:66 we meet Peter again, in the darkest night of his life. Three times he had denied his Master. Overcome with grief, he had gone outside and wept bitter tears of repentance.
Jesus knows of the heavy burden that Peter carries with him. He addresses this painful situation. Not with reproach, on the contrary, He asks about Peter’s love.
Today Jesus also asks you; Do you love Me?