Restoration: Jesus restored Simon Peter by leading him to affirm his love for Him. Even as he denied Him thrice, so Jesus has him confess his love for Him three times.[1] Jesus had no need to hear this; He knew it already (“You know all things; You know that I love You”). It was for Simon’s sake that Jesus drew out these confessions of love. Peter needed to verbalize this and believe it himself. Moreover, he needed Jesus to affirm his love for Him. Jesus did this by entrusting to him the apple of His eye: the care of His flock. Jesus did not deal with Peter according to his sins (Ps. 103:10)[2]; He bore his sins on His body on the cross (1 Pet. 1:2, 18-19; 2:24). Peter was a gift of the Father to Him (John 6:39; 17:12). He, therefore, forgave, encouraged, and even commissioned Peter.

My Lambs: To the one who loves Him, Jesus gives this resounding assignment: “Tend My lambs,” “Shepherd My sheep,” and “Tend My sheep.” This is the care of His flock whom He loves, which the Father has given Him, the bride for whom He gave Himself up (Eph. 5:25). This is what is in the heart of the risen Savior, the care of His church. He cherishes and nourishes His bride as His own body (Eph. 1:22-23; 5:28-29). Even as the Aaronic high priest bore the care of his countrymen upon his shoulders and over his heart (Ex. 28:18, 29), so He carries the cares of His church on His. The Lord entrusts the care of His beloved to him who loves Him truly. Jesus seeks those who love Him to love His church. They who love Christ understand His heart, share His concern, and see His people as souls for whom Christ died (1 Cor. 8:11).

[1] The parallel between the two scenes is unmistakable. Peter denied the Lord three times (John 13:38; 18:17, 25-27). He was by a charcoal fire at his denials (John 18:18), so he is also at his affirmations (John 21:9).

[2] This is how the Lord deals with the most undeserving. Cf. 1 Cor. 15:8-10; Eph. 3:8; 1 Tim. 1:15.