peace . love . joy

'When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?"

"Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you."

Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."'

~ John 21: 15

There by the sea, Jesus first called them to become fishers of men and women. There by the sea of fishes, Jesus first called them to look beyond the material and see the immaterial: the sea of souls. To go and share love of the Father, the joy and peace of the Spirit, and the hope of the Son.

That was three or so years ago. Now comes the call to be a shepherd.

But why did the passage note Jesus especially instructing Peter, but not the others?
And why did He ask if he loved Him?

Perhaps Peter secretly thought his love for the Lord is far greater and magnificent as compared to that of the others. Perhaps his love really was 'better' than the others'.

But love is only evident in obedience, and a willing servant's heart.

"Feed my lambs."
Lambs are baby sheep. At that point in time, followers of Christ were just beginning to take heart that the man they believed to be the Messiah really was the Messiah. They were babies in the Faith. Only later would the first babies grow into youths and adults, and then it would be their turn to care for the new babies from the new generations.

What was Peter to use as lamb feed?
Jesus, of course!
Just as Jesus had been feeding Peter and the other eleven especially for the past three years with fish and bread, so now Peter is to take over the reins.

Sheep must be cared for and tended. Rather like people. And the role of caring and tending is that of the shepherd.

For the rest of their lives, the apostles will take on the role and responsibility of the shepherd of souls.

In many of Peter's letters to come, 'shepherd' will always be there written between the lines.

That is what the word 'pastor' means, by the way =]

You are called to become not just fishers of men, but shepherds of souls. To willingly allow the Almighty to reach those who have yet to see and hear and taste and feel and smell through you, for His glory. And to willingly allow Him to use you to tend His sheep on Earth.

Scary?

Well, let me put it this way:

Do you truly love Jesus Christ more than these?