He had heard it, just as the Teacher said. Three times. It was a distance away, but the crowing may have just as well been a trumpet against his ear. The spoken word from the Living Word at the time had seemed off the cuff, almost cynical to a degree. But the disciple knew -- he had to know by now -- that even the most casual predictions of his Master were intentional...and composed the very shape of reality. But none of this knowledge could prepare him for The Look.
  Almost unbidden, their eyes met across the courtyard. Teacher and student, locked in a sorrowful yet knowing gaze. The unaccusing disappointment in the Master's eyes cut the servant more deeply than the sword used to defend Him just hours earlier. In agony, he ran toward the nearest rocky outcropping, desperately seeking to be buried by the landscape. But the only thing that would engulf him this day was abject sorrow. In the midst of racking sobs, the servant wondered if grace would ever be his again....and what price would be exacted of him in the event of such a miracle.
   It had only been a few days. But every moment felt like an eternity. Yet, here they were, all back together again. Even the Master, whom he had watched die...but yet here He was, talking and eating with everyone! It had to be Him. Their catch wasn't usually this good, but now the nets were bursting after this guy came along. It couldn't be a coincidence. And yet He was saying nothing. The inner speculation was running wild: We're all talking and catching fish, but when is the other shoe going to drop? He certainly has to very ashamed of me! All at once, the disciple felt a hand on his shoulder. Oh boy, he thought. Here it comes!

John 21:15-18

Stage 1 (Resistance) - 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.' "
  The first answer is almost flippant, and there's a slight hint of uncertainty here: "Well, yeah Lord...you're cool and all, but here's the deal: I'm totally into reading the Bible and going to church, and I'm open to telling others to do the same. But you know what, I rather enjoy the occasional bout of getting wasted on a Saturday night. A guy's just gotta let off a little steam once in while, you know? Oh, and my language isn't the greatest either I know...I just can't help myself!! You understand, right? I certainly wish my friends at church would, instead of trying to condemn me all the time!"
  Jesus knows a heart that carries this kind of response simply isn't ready for what He asks. In His grace, He provides a minor chore to get them started: Feed my lambs. No matter how weak you are, there is always someone weaker...be it a child, a hungry person, or another Stage 1 believer in a greater mess. We still have something to offer them, however little it may be at the time. Frankly, that's all a person in this position can offer.

Stage 2 (Realization) - 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.' "
  Jesus now observes the resistance starting to melt away. The answer might not have changed from the first time, but the Master discerns something in the second response that might not be obvious to even Peter, who is at this point still being called his old name by Jesus. This stark reminder of where he came from is not lost on him, and conviction has taken hold: "Look, I really am here with you, ok? So maybe I do need to watch where my eyes are going and what I'm saying. I guess, now that I think about it, I'm not being as selective about who I date. They say they believe in you and they go to church, but I always seem to get led down a bad path when we're hanging out. Something really isn't right here!"
  The command Jesus gave Peter indicates the latter was starting to get it, so the time came for a little more trust: Take care of my sheep. Now we're at the stage where we can stand alongside our brethren in one accord, providing encouragement, advice and accountability. If you find yourself in Stage 2, don't despair and don't make excuses. Confess and secure God's forgiveness, turn from whatever sin was present, and get about the Father's business. Our credibility has increased at this stage, but the big responsibility is yet to come.

Stage 3 (Revival) - v. 17-18a, "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.' "
  The answer has at last become more substantial and reverent: "You know me inside and out. You know when I rise and when I fall. I cannot hide anything from You, so I give everything I have and all that I am to you. Help me to know and love and obey You completely, the way You want me to." Jesus now knows the heart is ready...and he entrusts the greatest challenge of all: Feed my sheep. Be salt and light in this dark, bland world. I have made you a minister of reconciliation, equipping you with all you need to make my name known, in your everyday life, in your testimony, and to the ends of the earth.
  Three denials had been made by Peter. Jesus symbolically canceled each one out by providing three opportunities to express devotion. He had already completed their literal cancellation on the cross. The questions were a tangible reference to this fact, lovingly crafted for Peter's understanding. Jesus then threw down the final gauntlet that solidified Peter's reinstatement:

"Jesus said, 'Feed my sheep. I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.' Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, 'Follow me!' " (John 21:18-19)

Do we long to hear those words, "Follow me!" from the Savior today? What is your answer to His question, "Do you love Me?" Learning to answer the simplest question provides strength and wisdom to work through the much harder one to come, along with the equally difficult answer it sometimes reveals.