Choosing Yourself or Others

“A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.”

JOHN 21:17

This exchange between Peter and Jesus took place after the resurrection. Peter was fishing in a boat with a few other disciples, Thomas, Nathanael, John and his brother and two other disciples. John recognized Jesus was on the beach cooking some fish and told Peter. Peter jumped out of the boat to meet Jesus leaving the others to row in the fish they caught. After breakfast, Jesus asked him three times if he loved him because he wanted Peter to understand that you demonstrate your love for God by helping and feeding his people.