First, Jesus dealt with Peter’s trade. Do you love Me more than your old source of income? Sure, no problem there. Do you love Me, was the next two questions. Peter was happy to report that he really did love Jesus, when asked the first time.

The problem is, even a confident commitment concerning love isn’t enough here. The second and third time Jesus asked, Peter got the impression that Jesus had doubts about his love. This hurt Peter. Jesus seemed to be doubting his commitment. But, as usual, Jesus had a purpose.

Jesus went into a prophecy concerning Peter’s future. Jesus was saying that Peter was going to be His disciple and a martyr. Then Jesus said: “Follow Me!” This “follow Me” took on a whole new meaning from the first “follow Me.” This time it meant “take up your cross and follow Me.”

Up to this point, Peter had been afraid of suffering persecution and dying. He had been unable to standup for his Lord because he was unable to put his body and life on the line. He had denied even knowing Jesus, just to keep from being persecuted or killed.