Read John 21:1-10, 12a, 15. Key Verse: 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." (v. 15)
The time flew quickly by. Before we even married, Nellie and I knew we wanted children and God blessed us with four, wonderful daughters. We took them everywhere and enjoyed their company. The day when we would be empty-nesters was soon coming, and they asked how we would manage alone. We appreciated their question and our answer was that we had enjoyed each other's company which led to our marriage and the first two years we spent them with each other and we had had lots of fun and once they joined us, we continued our fun, and now that they would leave we would still have fun.
More seriously, the day will come when we might have to be cared for in the way we cared for them. Not that we're expecting that but it does happen in some families where the care-receiver is called on to be the care-provider. Such was the case in Peter's life as a disciple. Peter had been fed for three years by the ministry of Jesus. He saw the wonders of eating with people who had Jesus not done the miracle, might not have had lunch that day. Peter, the behind-the-scenes man, knew it had been a miracle of unexplainable proportions, all from five loaves and two fish. Now, besides the Sea of Tiberias, Jesus witnessed a miracle catch and eats with the Risen Christ. Then, Peter gets asks the question above, "Do you love me enough to feed my lambs?"
The Church in the same way as she is fed, must become the feeder. As the Church receives, so must she share. The message that works best in reaching the unchurched is the one shared in love and honesty, the "Listen to what God can do as God has done this in my life!"
Do we love Jesus enough to feed His lambs?
PRAYER: Loving Provider of all things, as we, the Church, receive, so let us share. Let us be all about giving and sharing as You has given and shared with us. We pray in the name of Jesus our Lord, amen.
