Feed my sheep

Feed my sheep

Bible: John 21 : 15 – 17

Reading

The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” (V.17).

Just before Jesus left this earth, He told His friend Peter to care for His people—His “sheep” (JOHN 21:16). How could anyone care for them as Jesus cares? Only by loving Jesus Himself. There is no other way. Three times Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love me?” (VV.15,16,17). “Yes, Lord,” Peter answered. “You know that I love you.” Each time, Jesus told him to, “Feed my sheep” or “Take care of my sheep” (VV.15,16,17).

Was Jesus unsure if Peter loved Him? Of course not. His three questions were not for Himself, but for Peter. He asked His questions to help Peter understand how important it was that he loved Jesus. His love of Jesus would be the foundation as he looked after the church as it started out. He would lead them well if the first priority of his own life was his relationship with Jesus; then he would teach the new Christians of the early church to live in the same way. Jesus did not ask Peter if he loved His sheep, but if he loved Him. Sometimes people in our churches will be mean and annoying.

The reason we will be able to keep on caring for them won’t be just because we love them, but because we love Jesus, who they belong to. As we grow in our love for Jesus, we will grow in our love for what He loves: His people. Jesus asks each of us, “Do you love me? . . . Take care of my sheep.”

IT IS OUR LOVE FOR JESUS THAT LEADS

TO OUR LOVE FOR HIS PEOPLE.

Youth Edition – Our Daily Bread Ministries