"Love as a Moral Emotion"

 "So when that had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs." (John 21:15 KJV) 

"So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that you faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold - though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls." (1 Peter 1:6-9 NLT)

 To start, as to this point nothing was brought up about Peter's denial of Jesus, although it was most likely something Peter was expecting to have to deal with. Which one would expect, if you were really fond of someone, then said you didn't know them, you would at least want to clear the air, even if it was what they expected you do, you still wouldn't feel good for doing it.

 Now that it is time to be dealt with, Jesus doesn't bring it up, as if it was the point of the conversation; instead, He uses love, love in the sense of what is right, what is the priority of the heart, and what is to be expected from someone who knows what love should look like! Basically, it is Jesus' way of calling him out, but from the inside-out. 

 Regarding the "these", these could be a lot of things, none of which really matter, because Jesus has told them, in so many different ways, 'If you love anything more than me, you cannot be my follower.' He used family, friends, self, money; you name it, even an occupation or work or stuff! 

 If I had to pick something, I would say it was the fish, such as matters...

""No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life - whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn't life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren't you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?"" (Matthew 6:24-27 NLT)