Follow Me

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.” 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 the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.  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.”  Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

John 21:15-19

Jesus told Simon Peter three things he needed to do if he lived Jesus. This is how I understood them:

Feed my lambs - feed the children. As I was reading this, what impressed upon me was to feed their minds and hearts. Why would Jesus ask to feed the lambs first? Because the children are the ones who will take over, and if is important that they are fed proper things so they will grow up to build a future that is good.

Tend my sheep - be compassionate towards people. Take care of them. See to their needs.

Feed my sheep - again, this is to me, particularly. Feed the mins and hearts of the people. Teach them and give them hope.