Tend My Sheep

In John chapter twenty one the Apostle John gives us a unique view of one of the last historical event of Jesus’ time on earth during His first advent. We see a man that had denied Jesus, repented and basically given up on ministry by returning to his former vocation. You know this man as Simon Peter. The scene is somewhere on the beautiful shores of the Sea of Galilee where Simon and his comrades have fished all night with absolutely no luck and then Jesus appears very unexpectedly. Jesus prepares breakfast, gives phenomenal instruction on the latest news on where the fish are biting and then enters into a serious dialogue with Mr. Peter.

As with all other Scripture, I believe there are multiple concepts, messages and teachings in this text of John 21:15-19. It is unquestionable that the central theme is based on love as Jesus asks Simon Peter three times if he loves Him. In addition, there are two forms of the word love used in the Greek that sheds tremendous light on the type of love we are to use in the fulfilling of the second commandment. But I believe there is more; more for the 21st century church, more for me and you.

First, there is a change of emphasis beyond the subject of love. The very large successful catch would represent the true occupation of the followers of Jesus, today we call them Christians, not necessarily preachers, Christians. That catch would represent the need and the work of Christ in evangelism. Yet there is more because the focus moves from evangelism to discipleship and ministry. Jesus says tend and feed My sheep. Now we have to stop for a second to identify whom the command of action is given. Is it Simon Peter, is it all the Disciples, is it to all pastors/clergy or could it be simply to all Christians. A new thought? I thought it might be.

Next let’s look at the subject of the feeding and tending, the sheep. Sheep stink, sheep are stupid and cannot take care of themselves. However, Biblical sheep are Christians, anything else may look, act and dress like sheep but according to Scripture they are not sheep (Matt 7:15; 25:32-33; John 10:1-18). Also according to Scripture sheep are quite important (Matt. 18:12; Lk. 15:4-6). Even greater Jesus, the Eternal, all-powerful Son of God, was sent to and for the sheep (Matt. 10:6; 15:24, Mk. 10:16). And without Jesus the sheep go astray they get lost and disoriented (Matt. 9:36, Mk. 10:16). Wow, so we become sheep through Jesus, we are shepherded (protection, care, etc.) by Jesus and we are the reason Jesus became the Shepherd and King. But there’s more. If we are to be like Jesus shouldn’t we also, though sheep, be shepherds? That is what He is telling Peter, be a shepherd Peter! Jesus was really intentional about this too. Notice the passion, the direct communication shown in the repetition.

This should not surprise us though. Do you ever notice just how many sheep are scared and hurting? Jesus said if a man had 100 sheep and one was lost wouldn’t he leave the 99 and go find the lost sheep (Matt 12:11; Lk. 15:4)? Maybe He is asking the 21^st Century church another question that relates to John 21. Are you taking care of your fellow sheep? Maybe He is asking you right now, are you taking care of the sheep? Are you practicing the model people call church, the living organism that I came to earth and died for? Are you doing discipleship and ministry like I have taught you and how I want you to do? 

Lord Jesus, teach us more and more how to be like you. Open our eyes to John 21 and the true concepts that You want to teach us. Amen!