Maundy Thursday / Feed his Sheep
Read John 21: 15-17 (NLT)
After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.”
“Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.
Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
“Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.”
“Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said.
A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.
Think
Jesus changed Peter’s name from Simon because Peter was one of the first to declare the truth of who Jesus was: the Christ, the Messiah. But Peter still fell away when Jesus was taken to be killed. He betrayed Jesus by denying him three times. And yet, Jesus still loved him. This is very reassuring to me. If Peter (who was one of the greatest Disciples) fell into sin but was forgiven, I can be sure that God will also forgive me when I fall.
The great love that God has for me caused God to sacrifice everything so I could be with God forever. Jesus gave up his life—the ultimate sacrifice. When I think about it, I feel small, unworthy, and amazed. God created the universe. How could God love me so much that God would die for me?
The gratitude I feel sometimes overwhelms me. How can I possibly ever say “Thank-you” enough? It compels me to act, to do something real, to somehow try to show God how grateful I am. I act in the world in God’s name. Jesus’ instructions to Peter tell me what to do. All I have to do, how I am to be and act in this world is summed up in that one command: “Feed my sheep”. That’s the best way to say “Thank-you.” If I see the people of the world as Jesus’ sheep, if I care for them as the Shepherd cares for me, if I feed them and meet their needs, I am doing everything that God wants me to do.
Showing gratitude, living with a thankful heart is just a matter of caring for others as God would care for them. It really is that simple. Just feed God’s sheep.
Pray
Great Shepherd, thank you for loving me so much that you gave up everything to be near me. Help me to be always grateful for your gifts. Teach me and guide me and give me strength and courage, Lord. Lead me into your world so that I too, like Peter, can hear your voice saying, “Feed my sheep.” Be with me as I go in your name. Amen.
Do
Today, I challenge you to do something radical to care for God’s sheep. Donating to a Food Pantry is easy. You just buy a few extra items and drop them off at a collection site. Cooking a meal for your family might be easy for you, too. But what about making meal bags and handing them out on the street to homeless people? Is that outside your comfort zone? Actually going out of your way to help that cranky old man who lives alone down the street might be something hard for you. Pray about it and ask God to show you where one of God’s sheep is in need. Then watch God give you the strength and courage to go out into our often uncomfortable world and feed that sheep.
The View from Mt. Hope 