Feed My Sheep

Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written ‘I will strike the Shepherd, And the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.” Peter answered and said to Him, “Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble.” Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” Peter said to Him, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” And so said all the disciples. Matthew 26:31-35

Peter was certain he wouldn’t deny Jesus. He was so certain that he wouldn’t deny Him that He said, “even if I have to die with You, I will not deny you.” What a powerful statement.  Peter loved Jesus so much, that his full intention was to die with Him rather than deny Him in any way.

I’ve tried to put myself in Peter’s shoes. I would think that just after the first denial Peter would feel so guilty, sad, bad…all the emotions one would feel after sinning against our Savior, that he would be unable to deny Him again. Yet, Peter denies Jesus 3 times, just as Jesus said he would. The coming to himself moment was when the rooster crowed three times and Peter remember what Jesus said and he “wept bitterly.”  I can imagine the feelings of anger, grief, sadness, and guilt Peter carried with him in the hours ahead as Jesus took His journey to the cross.

The reality for Peter, though, Jesus went to the cross just for him. Jesus was bruised, beaten, despised, and rejected just for Peter. Jesus carried the weight of the cross just for Peter. Jesus had nails driven in His hands just for Peter. Jesus wore a crown of thorns just for Peter. Jesus suffered, bled, and bared the agony of the cross for Peter.

We find out later after Jesus had risen, that Jesus specifically seeks Peter out and asks a question of which He already knew the answer. He asks Peter 3 times if he loves Him. 3 times Peter answered… “You know I do.” Jesus follows up each time with… “Then feed my sheep.”  

I can’t help but be reminded that Jesus called Peter to be His disciple even knowing that eventually He would deny Him 3 times in His most critical hour. Then after bearing the weight of the cross, Jesus seeks Peter out to remind Him He is still called, despite what Peter had done.

Just as Jesus went to the cross for Peter, He went to the cross just for you and just for me. He calls us to be His disciples even though He knows we will deny Him. He is ready to use us for His glory, flaws and all, if we are willing to put down the guilt and anger from our denial.

Jesus is asking this question… Do you love me? He is waiting for a response. What will your answer be?

He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep John 21:17