First Mennonite Church
April 12, 2026
Do You Love Me More Than These?
Text John 21:1-19
We should remember that it is the Evangelist John who tells us that Jesus’ first appearance to his disciples happened while Thomas was absent. His second appearance took place a week later. That time, Jesus addressed Thomas’ condition to believe that he (Jesus) had indeed been raised from the dead. Thomas had said that he would only believe if he touched the place where the nails were put in Jesus’ hands and feet and to put his hand inside where the spear opened Jesus’ side.
Therefore, our passage for today is Jesus’ third appearance. This time, however, it was not in Jerusalem but on the beach of the Sea of Galilee. John’s resurrection story does not include Jesus’ command to Mary to tell his disciples to go to Galilee. According to John, Peter was the ringleader who told the others that he was going fishing in Galilee. Seven other disciples followed Peter on his fishing expedition. And after spending the entire night fishing, dawn came upon them with no luck.
21:4 Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.
On this third appearance, Jesus came to the beach in the early morning but the disciples did not know it was him. And he called, “Children, you have no fish, have you?” They answered him, “No.”
You know how it feels when after trying to do something and you fail. Let’s say, your car does not want to start. You check the battery connections; you know that you put gas the day before, and after checking and trying everything it still doesn’t start. And just then when we begin to feel a little frustrated, your neighbor, who is a mechanic, comes over and asks you, “Got it to start?” In your very best effort at self-control, you muster to simply say, “No.” That could have been the reason why the disciples answered “No!” too.
Among those fishing that night were people who knew a lot about the trade. However, the one who was there on the beach gave them a command, “Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” It’s a surprise Peter did not answer, “Yeah, now you tell me!”
Jesus’ instruction was simple, Cast the net to the right side of the boat and you will find some. Actually, it was more than some fish. It was a bountiful catch.
John was first to realize that a miracle just happened and who else could it be to perform it? So, he whispered to Peter, “It is the Lord!”
Verse seven says that, “When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the sea”.
Once more we find Peter’s eagerness to meet Jesus the Lord but he did not want to do it disrespectfully. “He had to wrap his outer garments around him (for he had taken it off”) (NIV). Once on land, the disciples found that Jesus had prepared a breakfast for them.
Let us now focus on Jesus and Peter.
21:15 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.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 21:16 A second time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 21:17 He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.
It must be very hard for anyone being asked by a loved one, “Do you love me,” and let alone being asked the very same question three times in a row?
It is no wonder why Peter felt hurt because Jesus had asked him the same question three times. But we should remember that when Jesus announced his arrest, death and the desertion of his disciples, according to the Gospel of Matthew, Peter promised Jesus, “Though all [of these] become deserters because of you, I will never desert you.” Jesus then told Peter that he will deny him three times. And Peter did.
But the time had come where Peter will have to face Jesus regarding his failed promise. And there on the very same seaside where Jesus called Peter the first time, was where Jesus had come to restore Peter into the fellowship of his disciples once again.
If we try to understand Peter’s situation, we can see there a man who had lost his direction in life and whose heart and spirit were shattered. Before Jesus was crucified, Peter had always been close to Jesus. Peter had always been involved in whatever Jesus was doing. Peter even tested his limits by asking how could demons be cast out and by asking to be allowed to walk on the waters. Peter had always been the first to speak that at times he would speak before his brain was in gear. The fact was, while Jesus was still present, Peter could follow him wherever Jesus went. Peter felt a deep connection with the Lord. Peter felt that he belonged to a special group. He was one among Jesus closest circle of friends of Jesus.
Peter was certain he had a purpose in whatever Jesus was up to. Peter knew he had a special role in Jesus’ grand project, which he often called “The kingdom of God.” It is to him that Jesus gave the keys of the kingdom (Matthew 16:18, 19).
However, the manner in which Jesus died and the implications his death had upon Jesus’ closest friends, were beyond anything Peter anticipated. Therefore, even when Jesus had presented himself to the group after his resurrection, he was no longer present with the group. Peter and the group felt there was a disconnection. They were unable to track Jesus or be with him as they were used to. They were confused and did not know what their purpose was anymore.
Going back fishing was an option. Going back to something he knew was what immediately came to Peter’s mind. So, I am going fishing, he told his other disheartened friend. And they in turn said, “We will go with you.”
There are two things in life that really gives us a reason to live: a sense of belonging and a sense of purpose. And these are the two essentials Jesus came to give Peter again.
His question to Peter, “Do you love me more than these?” Possibly referring to the other disciples, would allow Peter to search in his heart where his loyalty is. Peter had had the conviction there was no other than Jesus where life can be obtained. When many disciples were diserting Jesus because his words were hard to accept, Jesus asked the twelve, “Do you want to go also?” Peter, speaking for the group replied, “Lord, where can we go. You alone have words of life” (John 6:66-68). However, the post-Easter Jesus, whom Peter could no longer have in person, tested Peter’s bonds to the point that he was at the verge of total disconnection. Peter’s three-times denial and fear was more than enough to sever his alliance with the Lord he had followed for more than three years. The Lord asked Peter the question three times until Peter began to hurt inside. The pain in his heart was because his wounds were being treated and restored. So, once again, on the very beach where Peter had been called first, was where his full restoration was taking place. And once more he was given the warm welcome into the fold of his Master. Peter became more than certain where and to whom he belonged.
At every positive response Peter gave about his love for his Lord, Jesus also gave him a commission: Feed my lambs. Take care of my sheep. With this command, Peter was given a new vocation. He was given a purpose to life for.
Peter’s heart was pieced together, just as his sense of belonging was renewed. Peter’s life was given a purpose. He would leave the shores of the Galilean Sea with a renewed sense of belonging and purpose. He knew God will be glorified in his life and in his death. From that day on, Peter never turned back to see what he had left behind. From that day forward, Peter embraced his calling as a fearless witness of Jesus, even onto his death.
Jesus’ question to Peter echoes through the ages and reaches us. How connected do we feel we are to the Lord? Do we follow in the shadows as Peter did when his Master was flogged and tortured? Where is our loyalty placed? Is it divided? Or can we say without a doubt Jesus is our one and only Lord, who rules over our lives?
It is the Lord who gives us an ultimate sense of belonging. We can be members of any group, association, or entity, but in the end, only those who belong to Christ Jesus will find life. We can have a sense of purpose in life, but if serving the Lord does not supersede what we do in life, our work will fall short in the end. Therefore, let us answer Jesus’ question: Do you love me more than these? Amen!
Pastor A. Romero