Feed My Sheep
“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." 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." 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.” John 21:15-17
In this passage, the Lord graciously restores Peter after his heartbreaking failure. Peter had failed when he denied the Lord three times, especially after his arrogant boast that even though all others would depart, he never would. It says in scripture that after his final denial, the rooster crowed, the Lord turned and looked directly at Peter and Peter fled, weeping bitterly! Now Peter meets the Lord on the beach. After they had eaten, Jesus asks three questions of Peter, all a variation of the question: Do you love Me? The Lord also gave three instructions that are a definition of discipleship and shepherding: Feed my lambs – Lambs require care and nurturing, tend my sheep – tending implies protecting and defending sheep and lambs, feed my sheep – Peter was given a role of shepherding the flock of God. These words are spoken to Peter but were for all of the disciples and are great truths for all of us too. Everyday Publications has responded to the Lord’s call by producing resources to help the Lord’s people “Feed My Sheep”.