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.”

John 21:17.

Three times Jesus turned to Peter with the most consequential question ever asked.  “Do you love me?”  Only a few hours before this Peter blurted out around the fire that he did not even know this man (Jesus).   Jesus knew Peter very well so he did not ask him any other questions, like, “Why did you say that?” Or, “Will you serve me?”  Or, “Will you preach in my name?”  No, Jesus went to the heart, “Do you love me?”   Peter, stripped of all pretense, said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”  

Peter and Jesus reached the ultimate point, after all is said and done, do you love me?  Jesus knew that he loved Peter.  Peter knew that he loved Jesus.  Their common cry changed everything!  Heaven rejoiced!  The bond is love, nothing less.

Jesus asks me this same question this morning as I bring my life, once again, into alignment with Him, “Do you love me?”  I do!  Through all of life, your love toward me never wavered.  I am not sure about myself.  You know all things.  I say again, as did Peter, “I love you.”