DO YOU LOVE ME? FEED MY SHEEP!

Passage: John 21:15-25

Key verse: 15

NIV

Jesus Reinstates Peter

15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”(A)

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”(B)

16 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.”(C)

17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?”(D) He said, “Lord, you know all things;(E) you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.(F) 18 Very truly I tell you, 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.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death(G) by which Peter would glorify God.(H) Then he said to him, “Follow me!”(I)

20 Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved(J) was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”)(K) 21 When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”

22 Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return,(L) what is that to you? You must follow me.”(M) 23 Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers(N) that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”

24 This is the disciple who testifies to these things(O) and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.(P)

25 Jesus did many other things as well.(Q) If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.

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Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Jesus and Peter

15 When they had (A)finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, (B)“Simon, (C)son of John, (D)do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed (E)my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, (F)“Tend (G)my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him (H)the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, (I)you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed (J)my sheep. 18 (K)Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, (L)you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 (This he said to show (M)by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, (N)“Follow me.”

Jesus and the Beloved Apostle

20 Peter turned and saw (O)the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, (P)the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” 21 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” 22 Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain (Q)until (R)I come, what is that to you? (S)You follow me!” 23 So the saying spread abroad among (T)the brothers[a] that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?”

24 This is the disciple (U)who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and (V)we know (W)that his testimony is true.

25 Now (X)there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that (Y)the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.

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Footnotes
  1. John 21:23 Or brothers and sisters
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway
1. Take care of my sheep (15-17) After breakfast Jesus seriously and sincerely asked Peter three times, "Do you love me more than these?" This shows that our intimate, personal love relationship with Jesus is the most important, even ahead of mission. Jesus asked Peter whether he loved him more than his family, fishing business, kingdom of Israel and even his own life. Peter confessed that he loved Jesus that much. Jesus then reinstated him as the shepherd of God's flock saying, "Feed my sheep!" To love Jesus means to do what Jesus wants, that is to take care of his sheep. 2. Follow me! (18-25) Jesus showed how Peter would suffer not doing what he used to do but going where he would not want to go for Jesus. When Peter worried about John, Jesus clarified to Peter that no matter whether other people follow Jesus or not, "You must follow me!"

Prayer: Thank you Jesus for helping Peter to love you the most and to give his life for the Lord and for his flock.

One Word: Love Jesus and feed his sheep!