When they had finished eating, Creator Sets Free (Jesus) took Stands on the Rock (Peter) and sat down with him by the lake.
He spoke to him, using the name his family gave him, “One Who Hears (Simon) , son of Gift of Kindness (John) , do you love me more than the others love me?”
“Yes, Wisdomkeeper,” he answered, “you know I am your friend.”
“Then feed my lambs,” he said.
They sat looking out over the water and listening to the sound of the waves coming in to the shore.
Then a second time Creator Sets Free (Jesus) asked, “One Who Hears (Simon) , son of Gift of Kindness (John) , do you love me?”
“Yes, Wisdomkeeper,” he answered him again, “you know how deeply I care for you.”
“Then watch over my sheep,” he said.
The sound of the water birds could be heard in the distance, and the sun felt warm as it rose higher in the sky.
Creator Sets Free (Jesus) asked him a third time, “One Who Hears (Simon) , Son of Gift of Kindness (John) , do you love me as a friend?”
Stands on the Rock (Peter) felt his heart sink because he asked the third time, “Do you love me as a friend?”
“Wisdomkeeper!” he said, “you know all things, you must know how deeply I care for you. I am your friend!”
Creator Sets Free (Jesus) said to him again, “Feed my sheep.”