Peter's Restoration
I. The question is about love. It carries in it a thorough assurance of the forgiveness of sin and the healing of backsliding; coming as it does from Him whom the sin has pierced, and the backsliding grieved afresh. It is the question of the injured Friend and the grieved Brother. It is He who still, in spite of all, Himself answering for all, puts the question, "Lovest thou Me."
II. The question is about the degree of Peter's love. Why should Peter be expected to love Jesus more than others? Why, but because he is forgiven more? So Peter feels now as he never felt it before.
III. The question is thrice repeated. How did Peter feel when subjected to this triple questioning? To a mind like his it must have been somewhat trying. Accordingly it is said that Peter was grieved.
IV. In all the three instances in which the question is put, the answer is followed up by the command, "Feed My lambs"; "Feed My sheep." Feed My sheep: There is an obvious propriety in this. On the one hand, the question is a fitting preliminary to the command; on the other hand, the command is a fitting sequel to the question.
V. How changed, as regards the whole matter of suffering with and for Jesus, is the high-minded and high-spirited apostle. He is high-minded and high-spirited still, in a right sense and on a right footing. But it is towards men, not towards the Lord. He loved Jesus before; warmly, strongly, boldly. Now he simply waits. He receives the command, "Feed My sheep," and the warning as to the death by which he is to glorify God, in meek and dumb acquiescence. It is the acquiescence of one who is now brought thoroughly to feel that he is nothing, and that Jesus is all in all.
VI. The Lord crowns the whole conversation with the call, Follow Me.Follow Me, in the following up and following out of that work with reference to which I said that thou couldst not follow Me once. Follow Me now, as loving Me and prepared to feed My sheep; and to die with Me now; nor consider thy lot hard if thou shouldst have to glorify God by a bloody death, and thy beloved friend should tarry, if I will, till I come. "What is that to thee? Follow thou Me."
R. S. Candlish, The Gospel of Forgiveness,p. 96.
References: John 21:16. Spurgeon, Sermons,vol. xxii., No. 1281; G. Brooks, Five Hundred Outlines,p. 308; Contemporary Pulpit,vol. iv., p. 271; W. F. Hook, Sermons on the Miracles,vol. ii., p. 262; Christian World Pulpit,vol. xi., p. 257; J. Vaughan, Children's Sermons,5th series, p. 127.