FEED MY SHEEP

“Feed my sheep.”

Here is another command in this series which entails more than just doing something at the moment, but it comes with a great responsibility of ensuring that the “sheep” stays alive and healthy.

While the disciples regained their strength after the big catch of fish and breakfast on the shore, Jesus turned to Peter and asked “Do you love me more than these?”

Through all these years, I was taught to believe that when Jesus asked Peter this question, he was referring “these” to the big catch of fish which is the worldly riches and so Peter had to choose between serving him and money.

But after reading several commentaries and several weeks of dwelling on this passage, it is clear that the context of Jesus’ question was bringing Peter back to their conversation on the night Jesus was about to be crucified as stated in Mark 14:29, Peter was so sure that he will not fall away even if the others will.

The main issue was not about whether he loves Jesus but his pride and being over self-confident that he loves Jesus more than the others. Now, Jesus with a very simple question, asked Peter 3 times, if he is really sure that he loves Jesus more than the others when in fact he denied him 3 times in public.

The manner of how Jesus as a leader dealt with the failure was crucial in the restoration process of Peter.

Imagine if Jesus, right when Peter came running towards him at the shore immediate “barked” at him with condemnation. What if Jesus told Peter that he will also reject him because he hurt his feelings by denying him. I believe Peter would run away without second thought and possibly drown himself in the sea.

But with humility and respect, that simple question cut right into the heart of Peter. Jesus dealt with his pride and restored him to total dependence on Him when he finally confessed “Lord, you know all things.” after repeating the question 3 times.

Genuine leaders CORRECT his members for RESTORATION not for condemnation.

After Peter was healed and restored, Jesus re-commissioned him back to office as an apostle and empowered him to feed His lambs and sheep. Now Peter and the disciples are not just fishers of men (to evangelize) but also shepherds who will feed (teach the word), take care (nurture) and love (correct and restore) His sheep in the fold.

Genuine leaders COMMISSION and EMPOWER his members to become leaders as well.

What kind of a leader have you been in this time of crisis?

Stay tuned to a summary of the 8 habits of a genuine leader in times of crisis.

Mark 14:27-31 New International Version (NIV)

27 “You will all fall away,” Jesus told them, “for it is written:

“‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’

28 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”

29 Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I will not.”

30 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice[e] you yourself will disown me three times.”

31 But Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the others said the same.

John 21: 15-17 New International Version (NIV)

15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

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

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.