Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.

– John 21:12-14 (NIV)

Here on this shore, early in the morning, Jesus met his disciples for breakfast. Standing here, staring out at the Sea of Galilee, this story comes to life for me. What a wonderful breakfast that must have been.

 

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)

 

Three times previously Peter had denied Jesus, and I think it is very deliberate that Jesus asks him three times, “Do you love me?”

I think this is a question we need to continually ask ourselves. The answer to that question is very important. We need to not just say, “Yes, Lord, I love you,” but we need to act out that love in our lives. Jesus calls each of us to act out that love in a different way, but whatever way you are called to love, do it will all your heart. Sometimes I feel as if I don’t know what I am being called to, and I definitely fall short many times, but it is only by the grace of God that I am able to say with confidence, “Yes, Lord, I love you,” and know that He is leading me to the place I am supposed to be.