John 21:15–17

We show our love for God by our actions!

His love saved us. We are now His hands and His feet to share that love with the world.

How do we shepherd?

How? I have an idea. Let’s start one meal at a time.

“For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick, and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.

Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Gospel of Matthew) Terry Hershey “SabbathMoments “

John 21:15–17

15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?”

He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”

He said to him, “Feed My lambs.”

16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?”

He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”

He said to him, “Tend My sheep.”

17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?”

And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.”

Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.

Jesus begins His series of questions by using the word agapaō.

 

Jesus may be asking Peter whether he loves Him more than the other disciples do—forcing him to acknowledge his shortcomings as one who had denied Jesus. Jesus also could be asking Peter whether he loves Him more than he loves his fellow disciples. Alternatively, Jesus could be referring to the 153 fish caught in 15:11, contrasting Peter’s old vocation as a fisherman with his new calling to care for the followers of Jesus. Jesus’ miraculous catch contrasts ironically with the failure of the disciples, professional fishermen, to catch anything on their own. The passage could be understood as Jesus passing on the mantle of leadership to Peter, who will now act as an earthly shepherd for Christ’s flock. Peter responds by using the word phileō; he seems to be responding with a quick affirmation, choosing a synonym for agapaō. 

Rather than responding with the word Peter used (phileō), Jesus again uses agapaō. He repeats the first part of His question verbatim, but leaves off the “more than these” part. In doing so, He is emphasizing the part that He wants Peter to remember and understand. 

Jesus doesn’t use a different word than Peter because agapaō has a special meaning; rather, He wants to emphasize the extent to which Peter must love Him in order for him to follow through on God’s plan for his life. Peter must love Jesus as Jesus has loved him: He must be willing to die for God’s mission of bringing salvation to the entire world. Also, he must be willing to die for others.

Peter does not understand the purpose of Jesus’ repetition and responds as before, using phileō and emphasizing that Jesus already knows the answer. Jesus instructs Peter to guide His people. 

Peter is the leader from the time that the Spirit comes upon them in His fullness. Based on Peter’s easy transition into leadership in Acts, it seems that the other disciples understood that it was his job to lead the beginning of the Church—likely because of this conversation. Peter seems to understand that Jesus’ three questions parallel his three denials. He is grieved by being forced to remember his failing in front of the one whom he had denied. Peter affirms what he and the other disciples had articulated after Jesus explained God’s plans for salvation to them. Faithlife Bible.

Tend means to shepherd. Lambs need to be fed; sheep need to be guided. Peter would need to care for diverse people in different ways, as Christ had done with His disciples.

Peter denied the Lord at least three times. Here he affirmed his love for the Lord for the third time.

life (Gk. zōē) (1:4; 6:35; 11:25; 14:6; 20:31; Eph. 4:18; 1 John 5:11) Strong’s #2222: This word in classical Greek was used for life in general. There are a few examples of this meaning in the NT (see Acts 17:25; James 4:14; Rev. 16:3), but in most instances the word is used to designate divine, eternal life, the life of God (Eph. 4:18). This life resided in Christ, and He has made it available to all who believe in Him. Human beings are born with the natural life, called psuchē in Greek, which can be translated “soul,” “personality,” or “life.” Eternal life can be received only by believing in the One who is Himself life, Jesus Christ.

Matthew 2:6 ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not the least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you shall come a Ruler who will shepherd My people Israel.’ ”

Acts 20:28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

1 Peter 5:2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly;