John 21:15-23

"When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more then these." " Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you love me." He answered "Yes Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep." The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him a third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that that I love you." Jesus said "Feed my sheep. I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me," Peter turned and saw that e disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (this was the one who hard leaned back against Jesus at the supper and he said, "Lord, who is going to betray you?") when Peter saw him he asked, "Lord, what about him?" Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me." because of this rumor spread among the brothers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not day that he would not die; he only said, "If I want him to remain alive until I return,what is it to you."



In this passage in John we see Jesus calling Peter back to him, it's the same conversation that Jesus has with all of us. He asked Peter three different times if he loves him, and three different times Peter replies "Yes Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus then commands Peter to feed his sheep. Then once again not listening to Jesus, and ashamed he then tries to bring the attention onto another disciple who once denounced Jesus. He tried to even the score by making another look bad, to which Jesus simply replies "What is to you." This to my sounds very funny, but a great answer that we must all remember. I think it sounds funny because I kinda picture Jesus saying it in a New York accent and has a bit of a hard core attitude.
We are all called to feed Jesus' sheep. The conversation that Jesus is having with Peter is the same exact one he has with us on numerous occasions. We all clam we love Jesus, and that we are all followers but are we doing what he is calling us to do? We say we love him, I mean: we go to church, we read the bible once a month, we say a few prayers, we have every David Crowder and Chris Tomlin cd on our iPod (that's about me haha), we volunteer at Feed My Starving Children once a year.....how can we not love him? It sure looks like we do. But Jesus calls us to feed his sheep. When he says this he is not talking about going to the petting zoo and putting a quarter into the machine, getting some pellets and feeding his sheep. He is calling us to bring Christ to all of his people. (Its like this Jesus= bread of life, aka feed....Sheep: Us!) We are all called to bring Christ to the world and take care of his people. It is not enough to just say that we love Christ, we actually have to show our love for him! We are all called to bring Gods glory to the world and each one of us has a unique way of doing it. Not all of us are called to be pastors, but some of us are. Not all of us are called to go to Africa, but some of us are. Not all of us are called to serve the homeless but some of us are. We are called to sereve to Christ and do it to the best of our ability!
We must be careful though not to judge and be condeming when we are serving God. Peter tried to take the attention off of himself and put it on others, and base his relationship with God off of another persons. Jesus simply tells him that, that was none of his business. We are called to serve God's people and to bring the glory of Christ to them, and that's it! No where are we called to judge others, to base our relationship with God on another's, or tell them they are anything but. God calls us to a life of love and servitude. He tells us that when we serve do it with love and compassion not judging anybody, only showing love and forgiveness. I will quote my favorite quote again because it fits everything: "It is the Holy Spirirts job to judge, Gods job to condem, and our job to love!"
Often times we help Gods people because it makes us feel God. I myself am guilty of this from time to time. When we do it because it makes us feel good, it's not about Gods people anymore. Look at the sentence again: "I am doing it because it makes ME feel good. When we serve it should be fully to serve God and his people. I am working my hardest to serve Gods people fully and bring the glory of God to others. Another thing I struggle with is watchig all these great people around me and their faith. I see "Christian celebrities" like Loui Giglo, and Chris Tomlin, or even people at church like my uncle or Tim (sorry guys hope this dosnt emberess you.). And maybe they don't have it together on the inside, I don't know but on the outside they look like they have this great relationship with God and I judge mine off of theirs at times, why can't I have that I think to myself. But Jesus tells us not to worry about them, why are you focusing so much on them, and their relationship with me, you could be using that time to build ours! That is why this is one my my new favorite verses, it's shows us our call, our thump on the head. Jesus saying: "Uhhhh HELLO!! YOU SAY YOU LOVE ME WHY ARNT YOU DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT??"
I challenge you to spend some time with God today. Alone. Turn everything off (well I love music in the background.). But put a movie on for the kids, send your spouse away, or better yet invite them to spend time with God to. Here's the hard one, TURN THE PHONE OFF (I struggle with turning it off I spend time with God to.) And talk with God, see where your at with him. How are you feeding His sheep? Is your relationship with him sincere? He loves you, but do you really love him. Just take some time with him today, he misses you, youve been far to busy for him this week, he's waiting.

I love you and pray for your walk with Christ.