Sunday Readings: Acts 5.27-32, 40-41; Revelation 5.11-14; John 21.1-19
When the disciples who had been fishing landed, they saw a charcoal fire there with a fish laid on it and some bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you just caught.” Simon Peter went aboard and hauled ashore the net loaded with sizable fish—153 of them! In spite of the great number, the net was not torn. “Come and eat your meal,” Jesus said to them. Not one of the disciples presumed to inquire, “Who are you?” for they knew it was the Lord. Jesus came over, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This marked the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after being raised from the dead.
When they had eaten their meal, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” Peter answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Three times Jesus asks Peter, “Do you love me more than these.” Three times Peter replies, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” The repetitions remind us that three times Peter denied knowing Jesus in the courtyard of the high priest. In that scene Peter, afraid for his life, rejected any connection with Jesus. Here by the lake, Jesus asks him to affirm that they still stand together in love and mission.
To each affirmation, Jesus adds a command: Feed my lambs. Tend my sheep. Feed my sheep. This pastoral work will season Peter. He will show his love by nourishing and caring for Jesus’ followers, by feeding and tending them, by taking responsibility for the well-being of the community.
The middle word in these three commands is the same—my. My lambs. My sheep. The flock does not belong to Peter; the community of followers belongs to Jesus. He is the master shepherd.
Peter receives a responsibility but not a superior role. His duty is to keep the sheep in the love that Jesus taught them, the love Jesus demonstrated in laying down his life for the flock. Peter is to feed, tend, and love the community, not lord it over the flock.
- With whom do you need to have a reconciling conversation?
- What needs does a community of believers have?
- How have church pastors tended and nourished you?