John 21

“The third time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter was hurt because he asked him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ He said, ‘Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, ‘Feed my sheep.’” John 21:17 NIV

Jesus’ response to Peter’s answers regarding “do you love me?” was “feed my lambs”, “take care of my sheep”, and “feed my sheep”. Feed, take care, and feed. Christ was speaking to and commanding the above to Peter, but these commands are just as relevant to us today, as followers of Christ.

Those who have recently accepted Christ as their Lord and Saviour are compared to that of being a lamb – a baby sheep. They need constant care and supervision much like a newborn baby. They cannot care for themselves nor be left on their own where evil can easily overtake them or lead them astray. Even as the lamb becomes a sheep, they still require a shepherd. Though they become larger in size, they are still too weak for their predator and remain in the need of care, supervision, and nurturing.

When we love Christ, we want to be like Christ. Following Him does not simply end with trying to obey the Ten Commandments; we need to feed others with spiritual truths while gently guiding, directing, and caring for the weaker ones of the flock. May we choose to feed the lambs, care for the sheep, and feed the sheep.