John 21
v.9
So when they got out on the land, they saw a charcoal fire in place and fish placed on it, and bread.
John indicates that Jesus has prepared breakfast on a “charcoal fire” (verse 9). We might be tempted to read right over this, but this prop is a wink. It has real significance. This isn’t the first time we see a charcoal fire appear as a prop in John’s gospel. It also crops up on the night Peter denied Jesus… Peter was warming himself by the “charcoal fire” as he was in the process of denying Christ.
v.15
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
Note what this question was. It was a question concerning Peter’s love. He did not say, “Simon, son of Jonas, fearest thou Me.” He did not say, “Do you admire Me? Do you adore Me?” Nor was it even a question concerning his faith. He did not say, “Simon, son of Jonas, believest thou in Me?” But He asked him another question, “Lovest thou me?” I take it that is because love is the very best evidence of piety. Love is the brightest of all the graces, and hence it becomes the best evidence… A believer’s strong faith is not a strong faith in his own love to Christ—it is a strong faith in Christ’s love to him. There is no faith which always believes that it loves Christ.
v.16
Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
v.17
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.