"COMMITMENT AND HUMILITY"

He said to him a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep."

John 21:16

How do you respond when someone dear to you, say your spouse or a close friend, asks you, "Do you love me?" Do you answer right away, or do you take a pause and think? If you do take a moment, what do you think about it? Is it your answer or the reason why you are asked the question? How would you feel if you are asked the same question twice?

Today's verse is a continuation of the Lord and Peter's conversation after their breakfast by the sea. This is the second time Jesus asked the same question, and as we have learned, He repeats it one more time. We have also concluded that the word "these" in verse 15 refers likely to the other disciples, not the fish.

The other Gospels record that Peter boasted of his supreme love for Jesus. He said that though all the others fall away, he would not (Mark 14:29; John 13:37). Peter failed to prove his love for the Lord when he denied Him three times, which broke his heart as he wept in repentance.

Jesus calling Peter Simon, son of John, in this passage gives us a flashback of how they met the first time (John 1:42). Why would Jesus call His disciple using his old name when He already gave him a new one? Perhaps Jesus is trying to level with Peter, who likely still feels deep regret over his sin. It can also be a way to teach Peter a lesson on humility, primarily because of his extroverted personality.

Peter's response is not a claim to love Jesus more than the others do but is a reaction from a true disciple who acknowledges God's omniscience. Since Peter is aware that the Lord knows everything, he speaks from the heart and affirms his love for Christ. He also understands that to claim love for Jesus requires obedience to His words.

Peter's denial of Jesus may look bad on his resumè, but I think it actually helped build his character. We can see his humility now, which was obviously missing before he denied the Lord. 

Jesus gives Peter a second charge: to tend to His sheep. He changes His verbs from "feed" to "tend" (take care), which involves the responsibilities of shepherding the sheep. Therefore, Jesus isn't only commissioning Peter to win souls for Him, but also to turn them into disciples. Later at the Ascension, Jesus gives the same charge to all disciples (Matthew 28:19-20).

If there's one lesson I want you to ponder today, it has to be the importance of humility. Humility is essential to our Christian life because it shapes our faith. Without humility, we put too much trust in ourselves (like Peter), and we only learn our lesson when we experience failure.     

Humility starts with an acknowledgment of God's sovereign power, wisdom, and will. He makes all things possible, not us. The sooner we realize that, the better. Jesus turned Peter from a self-willed fisherman to a humble, prolific Apostle. Peter died to himself and found his confidence in the Lord.

How about you, if Jesus asked you a second time, "Do you love me?" How would you respond?

Pursue the Saviour today!