John 21:16 (ESV) – “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.’”
1. Jesus Repeats the Question—A Call for Deep Reflection
a. Intentional Repetition for Emphasis – John 21:16 — “He said to him a second time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?’”
Jesus repeats the question to Peter, prompting him to reflect more deeply and sincerely than the first time.
b. A Loving Confrontation – Proverbs 27:6 — “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.”
Christ lovingly wounds Peter with truth to heal and restore him from his earlier denials.
c. The Name Matters – John 1:42 — “Jesus looked at him and said, ‘You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas’ (which means Peter).”
Jesus reverts to Peter’s birth name, calling him to face his human frailty, not his presumed strength.
2. The Word “Love” (Agapao) vs “Love” (Phileo)
a. Jesus Uses “Agapao”—Unconditional Love – John 21:16 — “Simon, son of John, do you love (agapao) me?” Jesus asks for divine, total devotion—self-sacrificial love.
b. Peter Responds with “Phileo”—Brotherly Affection – John 21:16 — “He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love (phileo) you.’”
Peter, still humbled by his failure, answers with a love that is sincere but not boastful.
c. Growth from Human to Divine Love – 1 Thessalonians 3:12 — “And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you.”
Jesus is guiding Peter from human affection to Spirit-empowered love.
3. Restoration and Renewal in Leadership
a. Jesus Reinstates Peter’s Calling – John 21:16 — “Tend my sheep.”
This is not punishment, but a reinstatement of pastoral responsibility.
b. A Shepherd After Failure – Luke 22:32 — “But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”
Peter’s failure didn’t disqualify him—Jesus always planned for his restoration.
c. Restored for Service, Not Comfort – 2 Corinthians 1:4 — “Who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction.”
Restoration is unto ministry—not simply relief.
4. Pastoral Care is a Direct Expression of Love for Christ
a. Love for Christ Manifests in Serving His People – John 21:16 — “Tend my sheep.”
To love Christ is to care for those He died for.
b. Sheep Belong to Christ – 1 Peter 5:2 — “Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight…” Peter later teaches the very command Jesus gave him, showing he understood this as his lifelong mission.
c. Service Is Worship – Romans 12:1 — “Present your bodies as a living sacrifice… which is your spiritual worship.” Tending Christ’s sheep is an act of worship.
5. Jesus is the Chief Shepherd—We Are Under-Shepherds
a. Authority Comes from Christ – 1 Peter 5:4 — “And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.”
Peter acknowledges Jesus as the Chief Shepherd.
b. Accountability to Christ – Hebrews 13:17 — “They are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account.” Pastoral care carries responsibility and judgment.
c. Ministry is Christ’s Delegation – John 10:11 — “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” Peter’s care must mirror the sacrifice and heart of Jesus.
6. Jesus’s Question Is Personal, Not Just Theological
a. “Simon, son of John”—Direct and Personal – John 21:16 — “He said to him a second time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?’” Jesus deals with Peter the person, not Peter the apostle.
b. Love for Christ is the Foundation for Ministry – Mark 12:30 — “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” Doctrine and action mean nothing without love.
c. Ministry Begins With the Heart – Proverbs 4:23 — “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” Jesus begins with Peter’s heart before giving him a task.
7. “Tend My Sheep” Indicates Ongoing, Intentional Care
a. Not a One-Time Act—But Continuous Duty – John 21:16 — “Tend my sheep.”
The verb “tend” (poimaino) refers to the ongoing role of shepherding.
b. Includes Feeding, Guiding, Protecting – Psalm 23:1–3 — “The Lord is my shepherd… He leads me beside still waters… He restores my soul.” Peter must model God’s care through daily action.
c. Love Expressed Through Service – Galatians 5:13 — “Through love serve one another.”
True leadership is service born out of love.
8. Grace Is the Foundation of Peter’s Commission
a. No Mention of Past Failure—Only Forward Grace – John 21:16 — Jesus does not say, “Why did you deny me?” but “Do you love me?” Christ moves Peter from shame to service.
b. Mercy Gives Us Another Chance – Lamentations 3:22–23 — “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases… great is your faithfulness.” God’s love renews purpose even after failure.
c. Grace Empowers Ministry – 2 Corinthians 12:9 — “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’” Peter will lead not in his own strength but in grace.
Do You Love Me? – John 21:16 “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.’”
Peter had denied Jesus three times. The smell of fire, the sting of fear, and the echo of the rooster’s crow still clung to his memory. Now, risen from the dead, Jesus calls Peter back—not with condemnation, but with a question: “Do you love me?”
This is not just a question for Peter—it is one that Jesus asks each of us. Not “Will you perform?” or “Will you try harder?” but “Do you love me?” He is not seeking perfect resumes or flawless pasts. He seeks hearts that love Him—hearts that are willing to care for His people because they treasure Him.
Peter responds, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” But he doesn’t use the same word for love that Jesus uses. Jesus asks for agapē—self-sacrificing, divine love. Peter responds with phileō—deep affection, but not yet a declaration of total surrender. Still, Jesus commissions him: “Tend my sheep.” Grace is at work.
In our brokenness, when we feel least worthy, Jesus restores us not by rubbing in our guilt but by calling us to love and serve. Tending His sheep—feeding, protecting, and walking with others—is not for the elite but for those who love Him.
This call is for today. Whatever your yesterday looked like, Jesus still asks, “Do you love Me?” If so, then tend His sheep. The way forward is not through trying harder but through loving deeper. And that love must overflow to those around us.
He Asked Again
He asked again, not to wound
But to awaken what had faded
The fire still smoldered
The failure still whispered
But the voice of love cut through
He asked again, with mercy
Not counting wrongs, but hearts
Not listing faults, but grace
Not demanding worth, but love
Inviting me to begin again
He asked again, knowing all
Knowing my weakness
Knowing my shame
Knowing my longing to return
And still He gave the call
He asked again, and I said yes
A yes without pride
A yes with trembling lips
A yes shaped by sorrow
But anchored in His eyes
He asked again, and I will follow
To tend His sheep
To serve His will
To walk with love
Because He asked again
Prayer
Lord Jesus, You are the Shepherd of my soul. You see me in my failures, yet You call me by name. Thank You for asking again, even when I’ve fallen short. Your question, “Do you love Me?” pierces through my distractions and failures and reminds me that love for You is the beginning of everything.
Help me to love You not just with words, but with life—by tending to those You place in my path. Let my care for others be an outflow of my devotion to You. Make me humble in service, faithful in shepherding, and honest in my love.
Where I am hesitant, restore me. Where I am weak, strengthen me. Let grace do its full work in me, so that I may serve not for approval, but from love. Thank You for trusting me with Your sheep. I give You my “yes” again today.
In Your name I pray,
Amen.