Reflection from John 21 for Entrepreneurs
John 21:15 – “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?”
After the resurrection of Jesus, the disciples experienced confusion and uncertainty. Although they had seen the risen Christ, they did not fully understand their direction or calling. In that uncertainty, Peter said, “I am going fishing.” (John 21:3)
This action carried deep meaning. Peter returned to his former profession—not out of boredom, but because he did not yet know what to do after his failure in denying Jesus. Returning to “fish” meant returning to his comfort zone, to his old identity, as if to say: “I’ve failed as a disciple. At least I can still be a fisherman.”
Yet, just as in his first encounter with Jesus (Luke 5:5–11), they again caught nothing after working all night—a vivid picture that without Jesus, all our labor is in vain.
In the morning, Jesus stood on the shore and told them to cast the net on the right side. The result? Their net was full, even to the point of tearing (John 21:6, 11). This miracle was meant to remind them of their first calling—Jesus was showing that their calling was not to return to fish, but to return to Him.
The question Jesus asked Peter after His resurrection was not merely a test of love in a general sense, but a personal and loving confrontation. The phrase “more than these” (Greek: pleon touton) has stirred much discussion: Was Jesus referring to the other disciples, to the catch of fish, or to Peter’s former life as a fisherman?
The context suggests that Jesus was pointing to those fish—the symbol of Peter’s work, his achievements, and his old way of life. In other words, Jesus was asking:
“Do you love Me more than your work? More than material blessings? More than your comfort zone?”
This is the question Jesus asks every disciple, especially today’s Christian leaders and entrepreneurs: Do you love Jesus more than your success, your career, your business, or all your achievements?
1. Do we love the blessing, or the Giver of the blessing?
For Peter and his friends, fish meant far more than food. It represented livelihood, stability, and professional success. The overflowing net was not just a sign of God’s blessing; it was also a test of devotion. The question Jesus asked—“Do you love Me more than these?”—was a question of the heart: Do we love the blessing, or the Giver of the blessing?
The danger is not in the blessing itself—Jesus Himself provided the miraculous catch—but in allowing the blessing to become the center of our affection. When the gift replaces the Giver, Scripture and Christian tradition call it idolatry. Even God’s good gifts, if loved more than God Himself, become substitutes for Him.
Augustine described this as ordo amoris—the right ordering of love. Love is not just about what we love, but about loving in the right proportion. To love God supremely is to keep all other loves in their proper place. But when we invert that order—when we love blessings more than the Blesser—our love becomes disordered.
That’s why Jesus pressed Peter with the question, “Do you love Me more than these?” It was not an attack on fish, hard work, or success. It was a heart check: Do you love the blessing more than the One who gave it to you? Do you love success more than My presence? Do you love the gift more than the Giver?
Biblical Examples of Loving the Giver Above the Blessing
- Abraham and Isaac (Genesis 22)
Isaac was the promised son, the greatest blessing Abraham had ever received. Yet God tested him by asking him to lay Isaac on the altar. Why? To reveal that Abraham’s ultimate love must not be the blessing (Isaac) but the Giver (God). Abraham’s willingness to surrender Isaac proved that his heart was rightly ordered—blessing did not replace the Blesser. - The Rich Young Ruler (Matthew 19:16–22)
This man had wealth, influence, and moral reputation. But when Jesus asked him to sell his possessions and follow Him, he went away sad. His blessing had become his master. He loved wealth more than Christ, and in doing so, he lost the greater treasure. - Job (Job 1:20–22)
When Job lost his wealth, children, and health, he fell to the ground in worship and declared, “The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” Job proved that his devotion was not based on blessings, but on the Giver Himself.
Blessings are meant to lead us to deeper love for the Giver, not to replace Him. When blessings take the throne of our hearts, they cease to be gifts and become idols. But when Christ is loved first, every blessing finds its rightful place as a tool for His glory.
Reflection Questions
- Do I see my work, wealth, and influence primarily as tools for God’s glory, or as measures of my own worth?
- How do I respond when blessings are removed or withheld? Does my faith weaken, or do I continue to treasure Christ above all?
- Have I ever allowed good things—family, career, ministry, success—to compete with my love for God?
- How can I reorder my love this week, so that the Giver is greater than the gift in my daily priorities?
Takeaway: Jesus is not against blessings—He is the source of every blessing. But He will never allow blessings to become rivals for our love. The question remains: Do we love the blessing, or the Giver of the blessing?
2. YOU ARE LOVED MORE THAN BLESSINGS
John 21:15-17 After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.” “Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him. 16 Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.” “Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said. 17 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.
In John 21:15, after sharing breakfast with His disciples, Jesus turned to Peter and asked, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” The word “love” Jesus used here is ἀγαπᾷς(agapas), derived from agapē—describing unconditional, sacrificial, divine love. This kind of love goes beyond emotions or benefits.
Peter’s response, however, is striking. He does not reply with agapaō but with φιλῶ (phileō), a word that signifies friendship love—warm, sincere, but not as complete or absolute as agapē. Why the difference? Peter had once boldly declared that he would never abandon Jesus, even if others did (Matt. 26:33), yet he ended up denying Him three times. His failure had broken his pride and humbled him.
Standing before the risen Lord now, Peter no longer dared to boast of a love beyond measure. Instead, he answered honestly from his wounded heart: ‘Lord, I love You, but my love is not perfect.’
A. Jesus’ Love Is Greater Than Our Achievement
The miraculous catch of 153 fish (John 21:11) was a stunning success, especially after a night of empty nets. For Peter and the disciples, fish symbolized more than food—it was their livelihood, their security, and even their sense of identity. After his failure, Peter returned to fishing as if to say, “At least I can still do this.” But Jesus’ question—“Do you love Me more than these?”—cut through the illusion of worth defined by productivity.
The truth is this: Peter’s value to Jesus was not tied to the size of his catch, but to his love for the Lord. In the same way, our worth is not measured by our output, profits, titles, or even ministry. The world says, “You are what you achieve,” but Christ says, “You are Mine.”
Your worth is not in your net worth, but in the Lord who loves you.
Paul reminds us in Philippians 3:8 that all achievements are “rubbish” compared to knowing Christ. We are loved not because of what we can produce for Him, but because of who we are in Him.
B. Jesus’ Love Is Greater Than Our Failures
Peter had denied Jesus three times at His trial, and that shame hung over him like a shadow. By human standards, Peter was disqualified from leadership. But Jesus didn’t avoid the failure—He addressed it directly. Three times Jesus asked, “Do you love Me?” and three times He restored Peter with a commission: “Feed My lambs… Take care of My sheep… Feed My sheep.”
This was not coincidence—it was intentional grace. For every denial, Jesus offered Peter an opportunity to confess love and receive restoration. The message was clear: failure is not final when grace is present.
This shows us that our mistakes, sins, and shortcomings don’t push us beyond Christ’s love. His grace not only forgives but also recommissions. As Psalm 103:14 reminds us, “He knows how we are formed, He remembers that we are dust.”Where the world sees disqualification, Jesus sees transformation. We are loved beyond our failures, and His grace makes broken people usable again.
Failure is never final; let grace rewrite your story.
C. Jesus Values Authenticity Over perfection
When Jesus first asked Peter, “Do you love Me?” He used the word ἀγαπᾷς (agapas)—the highest, unconditional love. But Peter, humbled by his failure, could only answer with φιλῶ (phileō)—the love of friendship. It was sincere, but weaker than what Jesus asked for. By the third question, Jesus graciously shifted His word choice to phileō, meeting Peter where he was.
This exchange reveals something profound about the heart of God: Jesus would rather have honest, imperfect love than hollow words of exaggerated devotion. He values authenticity over perfection. He would rather have real but imperfect love than pretended perfection.
In our own walk, we often feel the pressure to appear “perfect” in our faith—to always sound strong, confident, and unwavering. But Jesus is not fooled by appearances; He sees the heart. What He desires is not a rehearsed performance, but a real relationship. As Augustine put it, “Christ does not ask us to bring what we do not have, but to offer Him what we do.”
Our imperfect love, offered honestly, is more precious to Christ than empty claims of greatness. And in His grace, He takes that honest love and grows it into something deeper.
Jesus restored Peter not because of flawless devotion, real but imperfect love is more precious than empty words.
In John 21:15–17, Jesus reminded Peter—and us—that our identity is not in what we achieve, our failures do not define us, and our imperfect love is still accepted by Him. We are loved more than blessings, more than our failures, and more than the image we try to project.
For entrepreneurs, leaders, and professionals, this truth is especially important. The world measures worth by results, profit, and net worth. But Jesus measures worth by love and relationship. He asks, “Do you love Me more than your success? More than your identity as a professional? More than the blessings I have given you?”
The answer He seeks is not perfection, but authenticity: “Lord, You know that I love You.”
Reflection question: “If every blessing, achievement, or success were stripped away, would I still rest secure in Christ’s love—or have I built my worth on the gifts rather than the Giver?
3. From Nets to Sheep: A Higher Calling
John 21:17 – “Feed My sheep.”
After denying Jesus three times, Peter was restored through three questions of love and one sacred mandate: “Feed My sheep” (John 21:17). This was not merely emotional restoration, but a reaffirmation of a new calling. Jesus called Peter to move from being a fisherman—symbol of business and the pursuit of results—to becoming a shepherd of souls, a servant who cares for, guides, and protects the spiritual lives of others. In modern terms, Jesus was inviting Peter to transition from business orientation to mission, from worldly productivity to spiritual responsibility.
The Greek word Jesus used in John 21:17 is ποιμαίνε (poimaine), which means “to shepherd” or “to care as a shepherd,” including protecting, feeding, and leading. This signifies a task requiring love, faithfulness, and sacrifice—not merely strategy or management. This calling is also relevant for Christian entrepreneurs: is our life and business merely about catching fish, or are they being used to shepherd the sheep of Christ?
Jesus did not forbid Peter from ever catching fish again—but He emphasized that the results must never outweigh the heart. Likewise, professionals and entrepreneurs are called to bring Kingdom values into business, not merely to chase the bottom line. From how we treat employees, choose business partners, and manage profits—all can become shepherding if done out of love for God and people.
“Business as mission is not about doing missions with your profit. It’s about doing mission through your business.” — Mats Tunehag
A. Restored for Responsibility
Jesus did not simply forgive Peter; He entrusted him with a mission. In Christ, restoration is never just about wiping away guilt—it is always about stepping into new purpose. Forgiveness removes the weight of failure, but calling gives direction for the future. Peter’s denial did not disqualify him—grace rewrote his story and recommissioned him to lead.
Applications for Entrepreneurs:
- See failure as formation, not disqualification. Every business mistake, failed venture, or financial loss can be redeemed by God into wisdom for the future.
- Redefine restoration. It’s not just about starting over; it’s about stepping forward with renewed purpose. Just as Peter was restored to lead, you are restored to influence with integrity.
- Lead with humility. Like Peter, let past failures shape a leadership style marked by grace, honesty, and responsibility—not pride.
Reflection: Do I see restoration only as relief from guilt, or as a launching point into greater responsibility in God’s Kingdom?
B. Loving Jesus Means Shepherding People: Have the Heart of a Shepherd, Not Just a Businessman
Every time Peter declared his love, Jesus replied with, “Feed My sheep.” Love for Jesus is not proven in words but in the way we care for His people. To love Christ is to love those He loves. A businessman may see people as assets, clients, or labor; but a shepherd sees them as souls entrusted by God. A shepherd does not only care about performance, but about people. He does not see others merely as sources of productivity, but as individuals who need guidance, encouragement, and direction toward truth. The shepherd’s heart is full of compassion, patience, personal care, and the courage to lovingly correct. It sees eternal value in each person—not just economic value.
Applications for Entrepreneurs:
- See employees as image-bearers, not just resources. Invest in their growth, wellbeing, and character—not just their productivity.
- Integrate shepherding into business culture. Create environments of trust, mentorship, and integrity where people can thrive as whole persons.
- Use influence to build people, not just profit. Remember: profit sustains the business, but people sustain the mission.
Shepherd Souls in the Marketplace, Not Just in the Church
Shepherding is not only the task of pastors at the pulpit—it is the calling of every believer wherever they are placed. The marketplace is a vast field, and God calls entrepreneurs to be shepherds in the midst of the workplace. This can be expressed through:
- Listening with empathy when staff face life pressures.
- Being an example of integrity and love in business decisions.
- Creating spiritual spaces such as prayer groups, mentoring, or informal faith conversations.
- Offering biblical perspectives when there is moral confusion or personal crisis.
You don’t have to preach—simply being present with love, care, and pointing the way to Christ is shepherding.
Who Can We Shepherd? More Than We Realize
A shepherd does not pick and choose sheep; he serves all entrusted to him by God. In the work context, here are those you can shepherd:
- Employees and team members – not just in skills, but in character and life direction.
- Clients or business partners – through honesty, testimony, and authentic relationships.
- Juniors or interns – by giving time, guidance, and value formation.
- Fellow entrepreneurs or colleagues – through community groups, shared learning, and mutual prayer.
Reflection Question: In my business and leadership, do I treat people merely as resources for profit, or as souls entrusted to my care by Christ?
C. Called from Success to Significance
For Peter, fishing symbolized results, provision, and productivity. But Jesus lifted his eyes from the temporary to the eternal. “Feed My sheep” meant that his calling was no longer about catching fish, but about caring for people. The world celebrates what we achieve; Jesus celebrates how faithfully we love, serve, and disciple. Success fades, but significance lasts forever.
Applications for Entrepreneurs:
- Redefine success. It’s not just about revenue, expansion, or market share—it’s about the eternal impact of how your business honors God and serves people.
- Shift from accumulation to contribution. Ask: how does my success bless others, advance the Kingdom, or serve the vulnerable?
- Build for legacy, not just for the ledger. Wealth will fade, but the people you invest in—their families, their faith, their future—become your eternal return on investment.
Reflection Question: Am I defining my success by temporary results, or by the eternal significance of lives impacted through my work and influence?
Kingdom Principle for Entrepreneurs:
Jesus does not just call you to run a successful business—He calls you to live a significant life. Restoration gives you purpose, shepherding shapes your leadership, and significance redefines your success.
CONCLUSION: LOVE THAT REDEFINES DIRECTION
On the shore of Galilee, Jesus did not merely restore Peter from failure—He challenged him with a question that still echoes to us today:
“Do you love Me more than these?”
This is not just an emotional question, but a call to heart evaluation. Do we love Jesus more than His blessings? More than our success? More than our identity as entrepreneurs, leaders, or professionals?
Jesus is not against hard work. He Himself blessed the overflowing net. But He wants to ensure that our hearts are not full of “fish”—but full of love for Him.
He calls us not only to catch results, but to shepherd souls. Not only to build businesses, but to expand the Kingdom. Not only to be successful professionals, but to be faithful disciple-makers.
Today, may we answer like Peter—not from pride, but from humility: “Lord, You know that I love You.”
For in the end, what will endure is not how many “fish” we have caught, but how many souls we have led to the Good Shepherd.
Matthew 4:19 – “Come, follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
Amen.
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