In John 21:15-17 a few subtle things need to be pointed out to demonstrate the purpose behind Jesus' conversation with Peter. First, Jesus addresses him not as Peter (meaning "Rock"), but as "Simon son of John." When Jesus asks him, "Do you truly love me more than these?" he seems to be asking, "Do you really love me more than the other disciples love me, as you have claimed?" Where the NIV uses "truly love" in the Greek it is referring to agape love, the self-sacrificing, God-like love. Jesus asks Peter twice if he "truly loves" him. Peter responds that he does love him--but it's a different kind of love than agape love. It's as if Peter's ego has been taken down a notch and he knows better than to boast of his great love and devotion to Jesus. Jesus' asking him the three times corresponding to the Peter's three denials helps to remind him of why he should be humble in his answers. The directives by Jesus, "feed my lambs," "take care of my sheep," and "feed my sheep" all mean the same thing, that Peter should be all about caring for God's people.
The meeting shows that while both Jesus and Peter were painfully aware of Peter's denials, Peter was repentant. Jesus, forgiving him, now calls Peter to become a leader to his people.
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