John 21:15-19 (NRSV)
15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.”
16 A second time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.”
17 He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.”
19 (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, “Follow me.”
FROM THE DESK OF PASTOR JULIE
This scripture takes place after Jesus’ resurrection. It is the third time he appears to the disciples. In this particular part of the story, Jesus asks Simon Peter three times if he loves Jesus. Although each time he says he loves Jesus, the word for “love” that Peter uses changes. In Greek, the language of the New Testament, there are several words for love, each showing a different aspect of love. The first time Simon Peter says he loves Jesus, he uses the word that means “knowing or loving someone or something simply by observing it.” This is a one-way kind of love. The second and third time Peter says he loves Jesus, he uses a different word. The word he says is used to talk about a “deep love that comes from having a relationship with someone you know well and with whom you spend time.”
Jesus responds each time to Peter by telling Peter to “feed his lambs/sheep” and “tend his sheep.”
Jesus’ words were not just for Simon Peter and the disciples who followed him during his life on earth. Jesus calls on all of his disciples throughout time to care for his sheep, including us. We see here that Jesus was trying to help Peter, and all disciples, understand the connection between love of Jesus and doing acts of service. Each of our individual actions works together to nurture and care for Jesus’ “lambs.”
Just as Jesus commissioned Peter and the disciples, he commissions each of us. As we love Jesus, we are compelled to do good works and to serve those in need. The love of Christ motivates us to continue his ministry with those who are in need. The love of Christ is the foundation of all that we do to honor him and spread his love.
With this, I invite you to join me in two events this weekend. Saturday at 8:00 a.m., we will gather at the church to build walls for Habitat for Humanity. (Additionally, tomorrow evening you can come help cut and stack the lumber to be ready for Saturday’s build.) This build event will be in honor of Jack Gynn, a disciple who worked endlessly with Habitat for Humanity. The family for whose home we will be building the walls will also be present and helping. What a wonderful example for them to see the love of Christ in action!
The other event is my ordination service this Sunday at 4:00 p.m. in the Barn Sanctuary (yes, there will be childcare), with reception to follow in the Barn Lower Level. (The service will also be livestreamed online if you are unable to attend in person.) Not only have I taken seriously the call to serve as I sought ordination, but upon becoming ordained, I will be able to “feed his lambs/sheep” and “tend his sheep” in a different capacity. I am blessed that I will be able to serve, teach, nurture, and care for others in this way, and would be honored by your presence in this celebration!
With Christ’s Love,
Pastor Julie