ヨハネによる福音書21:15-19 John 21:15-19,

Jesus, who died on the cross for our salvation, was resurrected on the third day. And the disciples were able to meet the resurrected Jesus in Galilee, where they first met him. On the shore of Lake Galilee, they were able to eat a meal with Jesus, eating bread and fish, just as Jesus had fed many people with five loaves and two fish before.

After that meal, Jesus asked Peter, Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Simon” is Peter’s real name. Peter must have been thrilled when Jesus called him by name and asked him, “do you love me more than these?” Peter replied, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Then Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” “My lambs” are those who believe in Jesus. So “to feed my lambs” means “to take care of those who believe in Jesus.”

After a while, Jesus asked Peter again, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter replied in the same way, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Then Jesus likewise commanded Peter, “Tend my sheep.”

Jesus then asked Peter the same question the third time. He asked him, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt sad because he thought that the reason he was asked the same question three times was because Jesus did not trust his answer. So, with feeling, he said, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Then Jesus commanded him the same as the first and second time, “Feed my sheep.” And not only that, he said to Peter, “Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” This means that one day, eventually, Peter will be persecuted, grabbed and put in prison, and finally killed. That sounds frightening, doesn’t it?

But let us remember. Before Jesus was crucified, Peter had denied being Jesus’ disciple three times, saying he did not know Jesus. It was because he tried to defend himself. So the resurrected Jesus asked three times, “Do you love me?” and confirmed that Peter would live as Jesus’ disciple. And three times he carefully commanded him to be a disciple and to take care of those who believed in Jesus. Then, Jesus’ saying that Peter will be grabbed, put in prison and finally killed, means that this time Peter can live and die as a disciple of Jesus. In other words, he encourages Peter, “This time it will not be the same as before.” In this way, Peter, who once failed at being a disciple, was able to become a disciple who truly loves and follows Jesus.