John 21:15-17 Message Bible ... Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Peter, do you love Me more ....?"  "Yes, Master, You know I love You."  Jesus said, "Feed My lambs."  Jesus then asked a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me?"  "Yes, Master, You know I love You."  Jesus said, "Shepherd My sheep" ... then a third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?"  Peter was upset that Jesus asked him a third time:  "Do you love Me?"  So he answered, "Master, You know everything  there is to know.  You've got to know that I love You."   

Each time Jesus spoke, He gave an instruction to Peter what he should do.  

Think about this for a moment .... there's a message here for us.  We have been Peter every once in awhile, loving the Lord in our own way, when it's convenient for us. 

But when it comes right down to it, we don't do what He says.  We must lay aside what we want ... what we think He means.  Even though this might not be far from what He wants, He wants us to listen and to hear when He talks to us. Loving Him means "obeying Him quickly and doing what He says to do."  

Reverend Robert W. & Mary C. Butler