“Love Jesus?” Feed His Sheep!
John 21:15-17 NKJ.
15. So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?”
He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”
He said to him, “Feed My lambs.”
16. He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?”
He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”
He said to him, “Tend My sheep.”
17. He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?”
And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.
Peter was kind a hurt because Jesus asked him, for the third time if he loved Him.
He had already told Jesus twice, Lord you know that I love you,
But the third time it was like, I’m sorry Lord, you know that I’m sorry, Jesus you know all things,
Lord you are omnipresent, I know You know that I’m sorry, I will do whatever You say Lord, just please forgive me!
Peter probably didn’t realize or know it, but Jesus had already forgiven him completely,
His sin, like all of our sins, had already been paid for at the cross.
Peter, not knowing this though, just felt a little bit, like he was on the hot seat.
John 21:18 NKJ.
18. Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.”
19. This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.”
Peter was right in the middle of getting a good lecture by Jesus,
there really would be no argument, because Jesus already knew what his every response would be.
he had to know once he heard Jesus had risen from the dead, this moment was coming.
Even though he was happy and I’m sure relieved Jesus was alive, most likely he had somewhat been dreading this confrontation.
Idn’t that how it always goes though. And what’s the first thing someone usually does when their confronted?
We always try to blame someone else don‘t we, I don’t know why its seems human nature to do that, but it is.
Peter was no different than you or I and he confirms it in the very next verse.
John 21:20-21 NIV.
20. Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them.
Now if your like I used to be, I once thought there really was one disciple that was Jesus favorite.
Not so, John was the one writing this book of the Bible, John was the one calling himself, the disciple whom Jesus loved.
Kind of like if you ever had siblings, or knew a friend who had a brother or sister,
And they would all the time be saying that they were mom and dads favorite, almost like they thought if they convinced enough people of it, that it would become truth.
Actually I know these two sisters that do that same thing with their mother and its quite comical at times.
We could all do the same you know,
and there goes Charlie Roberts, the one whom Jesus loves and it would be true,
because He does love us all.
Sometimes I think, no I know we need to realize and walk in the fact of how much He loves us, more often!
Anyways back to our text, TBS.
(This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”)
21. When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”
Classic response, well what about him Lord, like that was going to get him anywhere with Jesus, and this is what Jesus reply was.
22. Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.”
Well what about him Peter, what’s he got to do with you!
And by the way, if I want him around till I come back, what’s that got to do with you.
You’re the only one that can make a commitment for you, it doesn’t matter what everybody else does, only what you do.
You must follow me, Jesus said! If you love Me, feed My sheep!
I would say, Jesus handled the situation brilliantly wouldn’t you?
Do you suppose, Jesus asked him the same question three times, because that was the number of times Peter denied Jesus?
Peter had denied the Lord three times, so the Lord gave him three opportunities to reaffirm his love and commitment to Him.
It must have worked because from that moment on, Peter gave the Lord everything he had and served Him faithfully for the rest of his life
We know more about Peter than any of the other disciples.
He is mentioned by name nearly 200 times in the New Testament.
We know that Peter was one of Jesus’ first Disciples that was called and he also became the leader and spokesman for the Disciples.
He was the first to recognize and proclaim that Jesus was in fact the Son of the Living God.
It was Peter who stepped up and preached the sermon on the Day of Pentecost and 3000 people were added to the Church that very day.
It was Peter who was with the disciple whom Jesus loved (John), that spoke up and said:
Acts 3:6-7 Msg.
6. Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.”
7. And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
It was Peter, (even though everyone in the boat had the same exact opportunity) who stepped out of the boat and walked on the water, with Jesus. ( I imagine they all kicked themselves that day)
It was Peter who took the message of the gospel and the Holy Spirit to Cornelius Household, thus to all Gentiles. Which up to that point had not been done.
Acts 10:34-35 Msg.
34. Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality.
35. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.
44. While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word.
45. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also.
Praise God, Peter obeyed the call to do this, This was a big deal,
this was the day the Gospel became inclusive, instead of exclusive to the rest of the world.
This was the day unclean stopped describing the Gentiles.
This was the day the word who-so-ever began to take on a new meaning.
John. 3:16 NKJ.
16. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
17. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
This is what God had intended to do all along with the Amazing Grace that Jesus brought with Him and introduced to the world.
No longer would the law be around to offer condemnation with no real way out,
Grace abolished it with a who-so-ever may come, let me show you the way, forgiving, non-condemning Gospel.
When Jesus gave the Great Commission, He meant it.
Matt. 28:18-20 NKJ.
18. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
19. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20. and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
That was a big assignment, to take what they had learned into all the world.
Not just in the neighborhood, but into all the world.
That’s why Jesus wanted to be sure Peter was up to what laid ahead of him.
He knew Peter had the capability of feeding His sheep, He just needed Peter to realize that he had it.
Jesus wanted Peter to realize (that it wasn’t coming down the road on its way)
the ability to do what Jesus was asking, it was already there, it already had arrived.
Everything the disciples needed to complete the task before them,
had already been bought, paid for and provided for, at the cross.
The same things that they needed for the task set before them, are still available today for all who will ask, whatever the need that may arise.
Joshua 1:9 NKJ.
9. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
This was God’s commission to Joshua and the children of Israel right before they went in to possess the Promised Land.
The commission to Joshua and the one to the disciples both had the same promise,
that God would be with them as they pursued what was before them.
What He wants us to know today is, the same question that was asked of Peter, He is still asking today of us.
If you love Me, feed my sheep!
And He wants us to know, just as Peter didn’t have to wait for what he needed to start his journey to be delivered, neither do we.
Jesus already delivered everything we will ever have need of, once and for all time.
Just as it was available to Peter, it is still available to us today, all we have to do is ask for it.
No matter what today has in store, as a believer in Jesus, you can approach the day with boldness and confidence.
Why? Because the Lord is with you all the time, and in Him is everything you need in this life.
That means that;
*If you need provision for something today, the provider is with you.
*If you need wisdom today, He is your wisdom.
*If you need strength, joy or peace today, he is your strength, joy and peace.
*If you need healing today, he is your healer.
*If you need finances today, Jesus is your banker.
*If you need courage and the words to say, to tell someone about Jesus and lead them to the Lord today, its already with you, you already possess it.
You can step out of your comfort zone today, knowing everything will be okay, because you are well equipped!
Whatever you need today, you don’t have to wait for it to arrive, its already with you!
The assignment that He has given to all of us is achievable, because He’s given us everything we need to complete it. Amen!
Jesus had great plans for Peter, he went on to do many things for the cause of the Gospel,
as I stated earlier, he was mentioned nearly 200 times in the word.
I’m sure he heard the same words David heard when he went on to his reward, well done thou good and faithful servant.
Peter was a great man, however he was still just a man, but one thing he possessed was a great love for Jesus.
His question to Peter still rings true for us today, Do you love Me, Feed my sheep?
God is still looking for men and women like Peter today, some one to step up and say,
Here am I Lord, send me, use me, I will feed your sheep!
Just as the opportunity was great for Peter, for those who will accept it, there is still an awesome opportunity that lay’s before us today!
When you leave and go home today, don’t let the lies from the enemy or the pressure from the world, keep you from taking a hold of everything the Lord has for you.
Like Peter, before he stepped that first step on the water, there are still many exciting chapters to be written about your life.
And the things that you are going to accomplish for the Kingdom of God
Open your heart and by faith, receive it today and thank Him for what He is going to do in your life.
And know that you can move forward in confidence and strength knowing that if God be for you, nothing can come against you!
If you will allow Him to, God will do miraculous things in your life,
He will open doors for you, orchestrate unbelievable events and shower you with His Grace and Favor all along the way!
It almost sounds to good to be true, but its not, that’s just how good God, is all the time.
Amen!
Lets pray!
