John 21
Have you ever failed in life? Failed to live up to your profession, or failed to keep a promise you made? If you have, you are in good company. In our reading today, Jesus puts Peter on the hot seat. Jesus wants to re-establish Peter after his colossal failure of denying Jesus three times. He also wants to re-engage Peter in the mission given to all Christ followers: to disciple others. Jesus wants to make sure someone will care for his sheep just like He did.
Three times Jesus asked Peter, "Do you love Me?" Peter answered, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." Each time, Jesus answered, "Feed My sheep."
Was Jesus unaware of Peter's love? Of course not. His threefold question was not for Himself, but for Peter. He asked His questions to underscore the essential truth that only love for Christ would sustain Peter in the work that lay ahead, that arduous, demanding work of caring for people's souls.
Jesus did not ask Peter if he loved His sheep, but if he loved Him. Affection for God's people, even our own family, in itself will not sustain us. His sheep and our families, can be unresponsive, unappreciative, and harshly critical of our efforts to love and to serve them. In the end, we will find ourselves defeated and discouraged.
But if we love Jesus with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength, that will provide the relational fuel we need for this assignment. The "love of Christ"--our love for Him--is the only sufficient motivation that will enable us to stay the course, to continue to feed the flock of God.
Thus Jesus asks you and me, "Do you love Me? Feed My sheep."
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