Reflecting on John 21:15-25“‘Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.’ Jesus said, ‘Take care of my sheep.'” (John 21:16)
Three times Jesus asks Peter if he loves Him, and three times Peter says YES!
Then three times Jesus tells him to feed and take care of His lambs and sheep.
Why does Jesus connect loving Him to feeding and taking care of His sheep.
Jesus is pressing home the point that THIS is how we show our faith and devotion.
Loving (feeding, taking care of) others is HOW we demonstrate our love for God.
Think of the many times Peter spoke or acted first, before the others.
But Jesus is not looking for these kinds of performances.
Jesus, as God with us, wants us to express our love through loving others.
“Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar.” (1 John 4:20)
“Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.” (1 John 4:21)
We build our churches and hold our worship services – do these impress God?
We fight for truth and freedom of religion, yet who do we harm in the process?
God’s priority, as seen by Jesus, is taking care of the sheep of this world.
Not just our own children, and not just christians, but all people everywhere.
The poor, refugees, sinners, strangers, even our enemies… this is who Jesus loved!
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, loving the poor, the refugees, the sinners, the strangers and even our enemies IS the Gospel, it is how You loved us. Help us to hear Your words not three times, but all the time, until the point sinks in: FEED MY SHEEP!