Peter was very glad, and he jumped into the water, and swam first to Jesus. The other disciples came soon after in their little ship, with their nets and their fishes. Jesus knew that they were tired and hungry. By the water side there was a fire, and some fish on the fire, and some bread. How kind it was of Jesus to give some food to his poor hungry disciples!
Jesus said to them, Bring some of the fishes that you have caught. So Peter went and took up the net and found it full of great fishes: one hundred and fifty-three.
This was a great miracle that Jesus had done. Then said Jesus to the disciples, Come and dine. So they all sat down to dine together. Then Jesus took the bread, and gave some to each; and he took the fish, and gave some of it to each.
Now the disciples were quite sure that it was Jesus who was feeding them. This was the way they used to dine together before Jesus had died. Now he was alive, they dined together again: but they knew he was not going to stay long with them.
When they had all finished eating, Jesus said to Peter, Do you love me?
Peter said, Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.
Then Jesus said, Feed my lambs, (that is, Teach other people to love me. Go and tell people about my dying for them).
You, my little children, are Christ’s lambs, and I feed you when I talk to you about Christ. I feed your souls, and the food is the love of Jesus.
Peter did love Jesus, and Jesus knew he did. Yet Jesus said again, Do you love me? Peter said again, Lord, you know I love you. Then Jesus said, Feed my sheep.