When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?"
"Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."
Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?"
He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."
The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Feed my sheep. I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!"
For years Peter had been the natural leader of Jesus' followers. He always went the extra mile for the team putting himself out there by speaking impulsively. He was full of passion and zeal. Largely because of his personality, on more than one occasion he found himself in over his head. We find him stepping out of boat walking on water toward Jesus before sinking into the ocean because his faith faltered. We see him hastily speaking of building houses for Moses and Elijah in the presence of Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration. We see him drawing his sword and defending Jesus in the garden on the night before Jesus was crucified. And, then hours later denying three times that he ever knew Christ. One thing is for sure, Peter was being tried and tested all along the way and eventually he lived up to Jesus' plan for him to be the rock upon which Christ established his church.
Today in John 21 we see the events that lead Peter to turn the corner and assume his role in a fresh way. The disciples were on the verge of going back to their pre-Jesus lives as fisherman when Jesus appeared to them a third time. They had been out fishing all night and had not caught a thing. Then a man called out from the shore for them to cast their nets again on the right side of the boat. Upon their obedience they brought in a huge catch of fish. John told Peter it must be Jesus. Peter jumped out of the boat and swam to the shore to see him.
It is shortly after breakfast when Jesus takes Peter aside and painfully questions Peter's devotion to him asking him three times, "Do you love me?" This statement challenges Peter's faithfulness and exposes his three fold denial only a few days earlier. After affirming his affection and devotion to Christ, Peter hears perhaps the most challenging personal words from Jesus, "Feed my sheep." Up until this point Peter has been just one of the other sheep, but now Jesus is telling him to act like a shepherd. Take care of the sheep. Provide for the sheep. Teach the sheep. Demonstrate a life of faith for the sheep.
Today as an act of worship thank God for Peter. Thank God for letting us learn from his example. What is God telling you to do to build up the body of Christ?
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