Saturday, Day 42: Lambs and Sheep

After the scene on the beach that I wrote about yesterday, Jesus asks Peter over and over if he loves him. 

He actually sounds a bit needy, like an overly-insecure teenager talking to their first crush.

After the first time Peter says yes, Jesus tells him, “Feed my lambs.”

After the second time, Jesus says, “Shepherd my sheep.”

After the third, Peter gets a little annoyed. “You must know I love you,” he says.

Then Jesus creepily tells him he’s going to die a brutal death at the hands of people who will have total control of his life—or, at least, that’s the way John interprets this part for us.

Peter, one of Jesus’ first disciples.

Peter, who once stepped out of a boat to walk across the water to Jesus.

Peter, who protested when Jesus tried to wash his feet at the Last Supper.

Peter, who offered to fight the soldiers in Gethsemane.

Peter, who denied Jesus three times while he was being tortured.

Peter, who jumped out of the boat and swam toward Jesus when he recognized him on shore during those strange days between Resurrection and Ascension.

Peter, later, some believe, crucified upside down.

Peter, called to tend to the basic needs of the people of God—to feed them. Peter, called to provide protection and leadership to the people of God—to lead them.

Peter, rock of the church.

“You must know I love you,” Peter said, frustrated, but he missed the point. Jesus did, of course, know this. But he wanted to make a clear connection between loving and living out that love. Jesus wanted, in this, one of his last encounters with the disciples, to remind them that to live in love is to feed and shepherd and follow.


Love is feeding the hungry, caring for those in need of care. It is staying true to a path—not just proclaiming Jesus as savior, but actually living as he lived. 

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