John 21:15-17

So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My lambs.”  16 He said to him again 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, “Shepherd My sheep.”  17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Tend My sheep.

After the glorious time the disciples had with Jesus, eating breakfast and sharing their love for each other, Jesus began to direct His words toward Peter; and I suppose, the other disciples, knowing that Jesus wanted to talk to Peter alone, busied themselves with the large catch of fish.

Jesus was immediately very direct. He said to Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” I’m not sure that Jesus ever addressed Peter that way. It was not a casual address. I’m sure Peter knew that Jesus had something important to say to him. And indeed, He did. He questioned his love for Him. By saying to Peter, do you love me more than these, he was questioning whether Peter loved Him more than fish—or more than the business of fishing. Had Peter forgotten Jesus’ call to Him to be fishers of men? Jesus wanted to remind him—strongly remind him—of what his real calling was. It was to tend His lambs and to shepherd His sheep.

Well Peter was grieved because Jesus had seemed to doubt Peter’s love for Him. But Jesus did not relent. He was persistent at His attempt to enlist Peter’s ongoing discipleship.