Do You Love Me?” John 21:17
What words would Jesus choose as He addressed Peter regarding their relationship? After all, Peter had said he would never disown Jesus, he would die for Him. Then Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.” Luke 22:34. Three times Peter would lie and deny that he was a follower of Jesus, swearing loudly for emphasis. Then the rooster crowed and Jesus looked “straight” at Peter.
Now, perhaps three weeks after Easter morning, Jesus had prepared bread and fish over an open fire on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. The disciples, following the advice of a man on the shore, had thrown their nets to the other side of the boat and suddenly they had success and their net was full. Recognizing this man was Jesus they heard His invitation to join him for breakfast. Gathered around the open fire they ate the fish and bread Jesus had prepared. The disciples ate quietly knowing their host was Jesus but not daring to ask Him that question to confirm their belief. Then Jesus looked at Peter. What did Peter expect Jesus to say to him? He had denied that he knew Christ and was one of His disciples not once, not twice but yes, three times. Would Christ now show anger, disappointment, and frustration and sternly rebuke Peter? What words would Jesus choose?
Question: Why were the disciples in Galilee when Jesus appeared to them for the third time after His resurrection?
Answer: Matthew writes three times that the disciples were instructed to meet Jesus in Galilee after His resurrection. They were following His directions and going back to where Jesus and many of them grew up. First however, He met with them in Jerusalem.
