and He calls His own

They aren't the same favor; I think they're all separate. That's the reason He asks three times. It really isn't because He didn't know. Even Cephas knew He did. I think He asks in triplicate because he wanted to make sure Cephas knew it and felt it and really knew it. Secondly, it's a perfect reparation for the rooster humiliation from before. Deny thrice, acquiesce thrice, that's the deal. Lastly, let's get back to my initial point: those are three different favors.

The first deals with lambs -- not adults but babies. That's spiritually as well as staturely.

The second deals with shepherding -- guidance, protection, provision. Its the practical and dirty and humbly servile upkeep.

The last is the tending -- nurture, encourage, adore.

Great. 0 for 3. Add that to the other 0fers, please. I'm running a tab.