CARE FOR THE SHEEP

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In Christ, Mark

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The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you 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 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 ll things; You know that I love You.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. Very truly I tell you, 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!”

Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray You?”) When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”

Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow Me.”

Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; He only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”

This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.

Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.

John 21:15-25

This ends today’s reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

Peter had wronged Jesus in one of the worst ways possible and did so when the chips were down. One of Jesus’ most trusted disciples, the one who Jesus promised to build the church upon, was anything but trustworthy, loyal, or dependable when asked whether or not he was associated with the Jesus who was on trial before the Sanhedrin. Of course, Jesus had predicted this, that Peter would deny Him three times before the rooster crowed and indeed, this is exactly what happened.

From that point on, Peter didn’t deserve anything but condemnation for what he had done. Rather than stand by his Master, he excommunicated and abandoned Him during His time of deepest need.

But as we see so often with our Lord Jesus, He didn’t prescribe to the ways of the world and as we finish our study of the Gospels today by looking at the final verses in John’s Gospel, we’re reminded that we serve a Savior who is deeply interested in making sure His people are cared for by those who choose to follow and love Him.  

In our passage, we find Jesus spending some one-on-one time, mano-a-mano, with Peter. You’ll remember from yesterday’s penultimate devotion from John that Jesus had miraculously caused the disciples to catch loads of fish and as His followers nursed the net and boat ashore, Jesus fixed some breakfast and served His disciples some fish and bread.

After the morning meal was over, the scriptures tell us that Jesus asked Peter a very personal question:

“Simon son of John, do you love Me more than these?”

In essence, Jesus was really interested whether or not Peter loved Him above anyone else. It was a totally valid question as Peter certainly didn’t show much devotion to Jesus by denying Him. Rather, Peter showed more of a concern for self preservation than preserving his special relationship with His Savior.

Well, we see that Peter answers Jesus’ question with an affirmation, saying:

“Yes, Lord. You know that I love You.”

To which Jesus replied:

“Feed My lambs.”

Now Jesus often referred to His followers as the sheep of His flock and belonging to Him, the Good Shepherd. But a sheep is an adult sheep and a lamb, although a sheep, is a young one, up to one year of age by definition. Therefore, Jesus here is commanding Peter to take care of the children who were so precious to Him. He was getting ready to ascend to sit at His Father’s right hand but He had a concern for the youngest of His people and Peter was the one Jesus was tasking with taking care of them.

Notice that there isn’t any additional direction given after Jesus gave Peter His command. Rather, He asks Peter again:

“Simon son of John, do you love Me?”

To which Peter replied again:

“Yes, Lord, You know that I love You.”

And so Jesus gave Him a second assignment, saying:

“Take care of My sheep.”

Here’s Jesus is telling Peter to not only take care of the youngest members of His flock but all His “sheep”. And then, for a third time, He asks Peter:

“Simon son of John, do you love Me?”

It was this third repeating of the same question regarding Peter’s affection for Jesus that cut him to the core. The scriptures tell us that it hurt Peter because Jesus asked Him a third time but I believe this was the intent, to pass on some of the hurt that Jesus must have felt when He heard Peter deny Him for the third time. This parallel should not get lost in what is going on here.

Well, Peter, now upset over Jesus’ persistent questioning, said:

“Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.”

We can sense the frustration in Peter’s word. It’s as if He is saying to Jesus, “Why do You continue to ask me about whether or not I love You when all you need to do is look inside and see that I do.”

And maybe that was exactly what Jesus was doing. He knew Peter had failed to totally love Him before and therefore, He wanted to fully ensure there wouldn’t be a repeat. And so again we see Jesus say to Peter:

“Feed my sheep.”

It was as if Jesus was telling Peter, your words are not enough. You need to show Me that you love Me by caring for My people, young and old.

And indeed, He has tasked you and me the same. Each of us can show our love for Jesus best by caring for others more than we care for ourselves. Perhaps there could be no better lead into what comes next and that is our study of the Book of Acts as we see Peter, as well as other disciples of Jesus, go to work to feed and take care of those in Jesus’ flock. I hope you’ll come back daily as we see how the Christian church came to be.

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

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