In John 21:15-17, after the Resurrection, Jesus asked Peter three times to feed his sheep. Jesus said to Simon Peter, “ Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?”
He saith unto him, “Yea Lord; thou knowest that I love thee.
He saith unto him, “Feed my lambs.” He saith to him again the second time, “Simon, son of Jonas, loves thou me?
He saith unto him, “Yea Lord; thou knowest that I love thee.
He saith unto him, “Feed my sheep.
He saith unto him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, “Lovest thou me?”
And he said unto him, “Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee.”
Jesus said unto him, “Feed my sheep.”
Commentaries have suggested that asking Peter three times if he loved him and asking him to feed his sheep was a form of redemption and restoration for Peter. Peter had denied Jesus three times before his crucifixion and resurrection. (Luke 22:54-62) So, Jesus wanted to affirm Peter who was devastated by his denial of Jesus. Also, Jesus wanted to commission Peter as a leader, a Shepherd, in his Church.
I agree that Jesus knew Peter’s heart; Peter needed to know in his heart that he was redeemed and restored. He needed to know it was no mistake that he was Jesus’ disciple. He needed to know that all was not in vain; Jesus was still with him. I believe that Jesus wanted Peter to not to lose sight of the grand plan—salvation for the lost.
To go even further, Peter had to experience that trial of his betrayal of Jesus to bring about the deepening and spiritual maturity that brought an unwavering commitment and consecration that would bring deliverance and salvation to God’s people. Before Jesus died on that cross, Peter was flippant and untested. He would sometimes speak as a sage of God (Matthew 16:16) and at other times, his words would be influenced by Satan. (Matthew 16:23; Mark 8:33)
To shake the world upside down, he had to “experience a rock bottom”; he had to experience death to his self life. It was then that he began to “see” with the eyes of Jesus and “hear” with the ears of Jesus.
“Do you Love me and feed my sheep” became rhema words for Peter—they were needed to pull him out of his lethargy—to put a fire in his belly. He knew that he still loved Jesus, but what he did not realize was that Jesus still saw him as the man he called as his disciple in the first place. It’s almost like Jesus wanted Peter to know that, “I know you love me, Peter. You’ve got this!”
Peter could now “see” people as Jesus saw them when he walked on this earth:
But when He (Jesus) saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to his disciples, “the harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. (Matthew 9:36-38)
I believe Peter left that divine encounter with Jesus with a burning desire in his heart to feed the Lord’s little lambs—his lost sheep. He had been commissioned to shepherd Jesus’ lost flock. Peter’s fire was evident on the Day of Pentecost where he received the baptism in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. The Holy Spirit baptism emboldened him even the more. He was no longer fearful, ashamed and timid. He boldly proclaimed the gospel that day and three thousand souls were added to the kingdom!. (Acts 2:41)
You see, Jesus already knew what Peter would do. Peter just needed to be infused with that burning on the inside to go out into the harvest field. His encounter with Jesus led to a heart and compassion for the lost sheep—the Lord’s weary and scattered little lambs. He had a rhema revelation that his work was to do the will of the Lord here on the earth!
As we commit our lives to Jesus, our ultimate desire becomes the desire of Jesus—to do the will of Father God. It is my prayer that Jesus will give each of us a burning heart’s desire and revelation that will prick our hearts out of complacency and luke-warmness.
He has already left us with marching orders just as he did with Peter. “Go into the world and preach to every creature.” (Mark 16:15)
Be blessed.
Be First to Comment