Saturday, May 14, 2011
John 21:17-19 Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep." ... Then he said to him, "Follow me!"
FEEDING SHEEP
Jesus' appearances after Easter were not random sightings. He came with a purpose. His overall purpose was to show His disciples that He was really alive and to teach them about the kingdom of God. A special purpose of this appearance was to set things right with Peter again. It was especially Peter who had said that even if all the disciples left Jesus, He never would. That very night, as it happened, Peter denied knowing Him on three distinct occasions and swore to it. Now Jesus asks Peter if He really loves Him more than the other disciples. But Peter remembers Jesus' words now, and is no longer so boastful of His own strength of character.
By the third time, Peter must have realized that this was no accident. Jesus remembered the courtyard of the high priest! But He also was willing to have such a sinner -- such a lousy friend in a time of need -- feed His flock! He had hinted at this back on that very night when He told Peter that when He was turned again, he should strengthen his brethren. But now, after having so ignominiously fallen, Peter must see more clearly than ever what a *great privilege* it is to be a spokesman for the Lord, to distribute care packages of His forgiveness among His grateful children, to see their shining faces and to hear the grateful songs issuing from their mouths! This is so much more than a job that He bestows upon all of us!
