In John 21:15 Jesus asked the same question over and again to Peter to the point that it really hurt him. Listen as Jesus speaks to him:
This was now the third time Jesus appeared to the disciples after He was raised from the dead. When they had finished eating, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love Me more than these?” “Yes, Lord, He answered, “You know I love You.” Jesus replied, “Feed My lambs.” Jesus asked a second time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know I love You.” Jesus told him, “Shepherd My sheep.” Jesus asked a third time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was deeply hurt that Jesus had asked him a third time, “Do you love Me?” “Lord, You know all things;” he replied, “You know I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep . . .
So Jesus already knew that Simon Peter loved Him. Why in the world would He keep asking him even to the point of it deeply hurting him?
Hmmm . . . I believe He wanted to make a point to us, (those of us who read of this account two thousand years after it was made). Matthew Henry nailed it with this commentary:
“Our Lord addressed Peter by his original name, as if he had forfeited that of Peter through his denial of him. He now answered, You know that I love You; but without professing to love Jesus more than others. We must not be surprised to have our sincerity called into question, when we ourselves have done that which makes it doubtful. Every remembrance of past sins, even pardoned sins, renews the sorrow of a true penitent. Conscious of integrity, Peter solemnly appealed to Christ, as knowing all things, even the secrets of his heart. It is well when our falls and mistakes make us more humble and watchful. The sincerity of our love to God must be brought to the test; and it behooves us to inquire with earnest, preserving prayer to the heart-searching God, to examine and prove us, whether we are able to stand this test. No one can be qualified to feed the sheep and lambs of Christ, who does not love the good Shepherd more than any earthly advantage or object. It is the great concern of every good man, whatever death he dies, to glorify God in it; for what is our chief end but this, to die to the Lord, at the word of the Lord?”
Peter had sinned against the Lord to the point of denying that he even knew Him three times. That sin had to grieve him immensely because he loved Jesus with all of his heart. Jesus told him to demonstrate his love in essence by going to work and witnessing to the world. He did just that even to the point of dying a horrific martyr’s death. Do you love the Lord Jesus? Then regardless of any imperfections that have occurred, witness to whomever whenever.
Matt. 16:24
Then Jesus told His disciples, “If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.
July 12 2016 – Click here to listen