So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Feed My lambs." He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Tend My sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, 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, "Feed My sheep.
John 21:15-17

Much has been said and written about this important moment shared by Jesus and Peter. I will point out just two.

First, the three-fold nature of the conversation. Why did Jesus ask Peter essentially the same question—three times? While we cannot say for sure, because the text does not provide an explicit answer, most agree that there is a reason. That reason relates to Peter’s denial of Jesus three times. It is therefore reasonable to suppose Jesus gave Peter three opportunities to restate his love for Jesus having denied his beloved Savior three times.

Let us be encouraged that while denying Jesus is serious, God’s grace is also comprehensive. In Romans 5:20, Paul writes, “where sin abounded, grace abounded much more.” This is never to be taken as a green light to sin because God’s grace is greater than our sin; but it is a source of comfort for we who love the Lord, but often “deny Him” when we sin.

Second, let us not neglect reaffirming our love for the Lord Jesus when we confess our sins and seek repentance. “I’m sorry,” isn’t enough. Let us be reminded that no matter what our sin is, all sin is ultimately against the Lord (Psalm 51:4). So, let us ask for His forgiveness, and reaffirm our love for Him.