The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 5 April 2024 – Take Care Of My Sheep
TOPIC: Take Care Of My Sheep (NKJV)
READ: John 21: 15-23 (NKJV)
- 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.
- “Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry [you] where you do not wish.”
- This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.”
- Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?”
- Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what [about] this man?”
- Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what [is that] to you? You follow Me.”
- Then this saying went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, “If I will that he remain till I come, what [is that] to you?”
THE MESSAGE:
This discussion between Jesus and Peter is marked by the three times Jesus asked Peter whether he loved Him or not. After Peter’s affirmative answers, he is again charged to care for the sheep (the other disciples/believers). The importance of this scene is found in the fact that Jesus embraced Peter again, despite his betrayal, and also recalled him to the leadership role in the Church of God. This is an example to emulate from Jesus as we all have leadership roles, one way or the other. The intimate conversation between Jesus and Peter, especially the play on words, has fostered much meditation in the past.
Jesus intentionally and boldly led Peter to step into the work to tenderly care for the needy lamb. As is expected of us, Peter was publicly charged to take care of the flock under his care. Jesus used this concept to largely define the need of God’s people for a shepherd and the need for good shepherds to care for Jesus’ sheep. Are you a responsible shepherd leader?
PRAYER: Lord help me to be a good shepherd that cares for Your sheep.
