Charles Spurgeon Commentary John 21:15-17

"So when they had broken their fast, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, [son] of John, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again a second time, Simon, [son] of John, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Tend my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, [son] of John, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep." — John 21:15-17 (ASV)

He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?

Here is a lesson for all who would be pastors of Christ's flock.

The first necessity of a true pastor is love to Christ, the second necessity of a true pastor is love to Christ, and the third necessity of a true pastor is love to Christ. A man who does not love the great Shepherd cannot properly feed either his sheep or lambs. If his own heart is not right towards the divine Owner of the sheep, he cannot be a true under-shepherd to Christ's flock.

So when they had dined, Jesus says to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, do you love me more than these? He says to him, Yes, Lord; you know that I love you. He says to him, Feed my lambs. He says to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, do you love me? He says to him, Yes, Lord; you know that I love you. He says to him, Feed my sheep. He says to him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, do you love me? Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, Do you love me?

And he said to him, Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you. Jesus says to him, Feed my sheep.

Nobody can feed Christ's sheep unless they love him, and when we love Christ the most practical way of showing it is by taking care of his lambs—his little ones—and of all those that are his—his sheep. Love will teach us how to do it. Love will sign our commission and ordain us to the work. The Master went on to say:—