“Feed My Sheep!”
Text: John 21:1-19
5-4-2025
Alleluia! Christ is risen! {He is risen indeed, Alleluia!} In the previous chapter of John’s Gospel, which you heard last week, the risen Lord Jesus appeared to His disciples on Easter Eve and then once again a week later. That was the incident with so-called “Doubting Thomas.” So, today’s reading had to have happened some time over the next several weeks before Jesus ascended into heaven. Most likely it was soon after that first week, and I say that mainly because of what happens with Peter.
After His resurrection, Jesus periodically appeared to His disciples, but He was not with them constantly. So there sat the disciples, still digesting the glorious truth that Jesus was alive, and waiting for Him to appear again. Being a dedicated fisherman, Peter lived by the motto: When you don’t know what else to do, go fishing! I can vouch for the serenity of staring out at a lake from a fishing boat, with a rod and reel in my hand, taking a mental break from everything that’s weighing on my mind. What better atmosphere for Peter and the others to dwell on all the amazing events of the past few weeks?
Well, things are about to come full circle, especially for Peter. Do you recall a similar scenario back in Luke 5? It was our Gospel reading on February 9th and I preached on it. You may recall that the disciples had been out fishing all night and it was unproductive. Jesus instructed them to give it another try and they caught (literally) a boatload of fish. Peter fell on his knees and said, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” Jesus told him, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” Then Peter and his fishing partners dropped everything and followed Jesus.
Isn’t it interesting that at the end of Christ’s earthly ministry a very similar event happens, with Jesus again saying, “Follow me”? It was a renewed call to discipleship. And it was necessary for several reasons. Soon, Jesus would ascend into heaven, leaving the ministry of spreading the Gospel in the hands of these disciples. Were they ready? Not totally. The Day of Pentecost would finish the preparations. But before they could get to that point, they needed to know what it really meant to follow Jesus. And there needed to be some vital, spiritual healing, especially for Peter.
When Peter realized it was Jesus, he dove in the lake and swam to be with His Lord. It kind of reminds me of that scene in Forrest Gump when he sees Lt. Dan on the dock. Forrest clumsily jumps overboard with reckless abandon in order to be with his friend. Why this change in Peter’s demeanor from 3 years prior? Quite simply during his time with Jesus he had come to realize that Christ had something he desperately needed right now: forgiveness. Do you remember when Jesus was arrested how Peter denied knowing Him 3 times? Well, the horrible guilt of that sinful failure was crippling Peter, making him unfit to share the Gospel of forgiveness with others. Jesus fixed that with His forgiveness and restoration.
Jesus did this by asking Peter 3 times in a row, “Do you love me?” The way the conversation goes in the Greek it’s like a rising crescendo. Why 3 times? Yes, it was for emphasis, but it also directly corresponded to Peter’s triple denial. “So… was Jesus rubbing salt in the wounds of Peter’s soul?” Not at all. Like any good doctor, Jesus was probing the injury. Years ago, whenever I had torn cartilage in my knee the doctor examined it by turning it this way and that saying, “Does that hurt?” He didn’t do it to inflict pain, but rather to identify the full extent of the injury. Jesus was doing the same with Peter’s mind and soul.
On Maundy Thursday Peter swore his love and allegiance for Jesus. He insisted that his love was stronger than all the other disciples’. It’s no surprise then that Jesus would basically ask him, “Peter, do you still think you love me more than these other guys do?” The Greek word for love in this verse is the one for the deep, self-sacrificing love that God has towards us sinners. In Peter’s response to the question, though, he uses a word for a generic kind of love. To his credit, Peter was confessing that he hadn’t really loved Jesus as strongly as he once thought. By the time we get to the third repetition, when Jesus asked the question, “Do you love me?,” the more generic term for love is used. Almost as if to say, “Peter, do you even love me in the most basic way?”
Ah, now we’ve gotten to the deepest part of the wound. Peter, like all of us, must confess that we don’t truly love the Lord the way we are supposed to. At times we act cocky when someone says, “Do you love Jesus as you Lord and Savior?” And we respond, “Why of course I love Jesus! I’m a member of this church ain’t I?” Peter was humbled and gave up such shallow pretense. Instead, he opened his broken heart to Jesus and said, “Lord, you know everything; you know I love you.” Yes, Jesus does know our hearts. He knows where we are lacking in true love and devotion to Him. That’s what He offers to heal within us. Peter needed to hear that he was forgiven for his sin of denial and his lack of sincere love. Jesus gave him that. He was totally forgiven and restored. He was now ready to be Christ’s instrument in sharing that Good News of forgiveness with others. When we humbly come to Jesus confessing our sins and our lack of love, He forgives us. And He restores us so that we might also be His instruments for sharing the Good News of salvation.
That’s all rather vague, so let’s get down to brass tacks. What then IS true love and devotion for Jesus? In Christ’s 3 responses to Peter, we have our answer. Although He says it slightly different each time, the answer is: “Feed my sheep.” Elsewhere Jesus identifies Himself as the Good Shepherd and all those who follow Him are His flock. He’s speaking here in our text about the spiritual feeding of souls. We, as a church, show our sincere love for Jesus by obeying His command to “Feed my sheep.” This is our highest expression of love for our Lord and Savior.
How are we doing at that, though? Well, I’ll start with myself. As your Pastor I have a clear command from Jesus: “Feed my sheep.” In sermons, Bible classes, Confirmation, and here in worship that happens. I take this command very seriously. Sadly, some Pastors have fallen into the trap of thinking Christ’s command is, “Entertain my sheep.” Here's one example: A relative told me about their Pastor at a church in Omaha who does something quite “unique” the week after Easter. Since Lent and Holy Week are so busy, he has the members send him their best jokes. The next Sunday he spends 15 minutes of the sermon telling those jokes. The sheep might be laughing, but their souls are starving. And I can guarantee you that the Good Shepherd, Jesus, is not laughing. But I confess that I too have failed you at times. I get distracted with all the stuff I need to get done and when I get weary, I get grumpy. That’s when I don’t put my best effort into feeding and shepherding you. For that, I sincerely ask for both your forgiveness and God’s. Like Peter, I need to be forgiven and restored in order to be a faithful instrument of the Gospel.
How are we doing as a church with this command? If you look closely, in Jesus’ first response to Peter He says, “Feed my lambs,” that is, the young members of the flock. It is an ongoing struggle to get people to teach Sunday School or help with our LYC. Oh, I know all the excuses. And yes, they are just that: excuses. Sorry, but there is no wiggle room in Christ’s command to “Feed my lambs.” It’s a tangible way of expressing our love for Jesus. To those of you who have helped out with our kids, may God bless you for this labor of love. At the very least, the rest of us should be supportive and encouraging of those members.
This command to “Feed my lambs” extends also into our homes. If you have children at home, do you take time for daily devotions? If not, why not? Parents, Jesus gave a command, not a suggestion. Feeding the souls of Jesus’ little lambs is one of the highest expressions of our love for Christ and your precious children. I’d be happy to give you advice on how to begin or expand your family devotion time. In fact, I’ll put my money where my mouth is. I will personally supply you with devotional books and materials. Just ask me.
If you’re older or don’t have children in the home, Christ’s command is still for you. Jesus says, “Feed my sheep.” Daily devotions, prayers, and Scripture reading are essential nourishment in your home even if you live alone. Likewise, that command to “Feed my sheep” is directed at us individually, as we expose ourselves to God’s food for our souls. Bible class offers spiritual food for your soul. Are you taking in that nourishment? If not, why not? Here again, I’ve heard all the excuses before and that’s all they are: excuses. Express your love for Christ by feeding the lamb who stares back at you in the mirror every morning.
And yes, that command to “Feed my sheep” extends also to our reaching out to the lost and erring. We pray regularly for the courage to reach out to our inactive members and the unchurched in our community. Inviting family and friends to worship is an invitation to be fed by the Good Shepherd. Here in God’s House, He feeds us with His Word and He then gives us the heavenly food of Christ’s body and blood in Holy Communion. Jesus Christ has done all this so that we can be His forgiven and restored disciples and His useful instruments in feeding His beloved flock. May we then humbly and faithfully obey His command to Feed His Sheep. Amen.
Soli Deo Gloria!