Sunday, July 12 — Called to Feed Christ's Flock

There's a second charcoal fire in the Gospels, and Jesus built it on purpose.

John 21:15-19 — KJV

15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 18 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. 19 This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.

John 21:15-19 — WEB

15 So when they had eaten their breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs." 16 He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep." 17 He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you have affection for me?" Peter was grieved because he asked him the third time, "Do you have affection for me?" He said to him, "Lord, you know everything. You know that I have affection for you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep. 18 Most certainly I tell you, when you were young, you dressed yourself, and walked where you wanted to. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you, and carry you where you don't want to go." 19 Now he said this, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. When he had said this, he said to him, "Follow me."

Explanation

John gives us one small detail that changes everything: a charcoal fire. The only other charcoal fire in his Gospel is the one Peter stood beside while he denied Jesus three times. Now the risen Christ has built another one on the beach, cooked breakfast, and waited. Peter is about to be restored at a fire just like the one where he fell. Jesus doesn't avoid the scene of the wound. He returns to it and heals it.

Three times Peter had denied him. Three times Jesus now asks, "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?" It's not interrogation; it's restoration. One question for each denial, gently unwinding the failure thread by thread. By the third time Peter is grieved — the old wound is tender — but Jesus isn't reopening it to punish him. He's making sure it heals all the way through.

And notice what restoration looks like. Each time Peter answers, Jesus gives him a job: "Feed my lambs." "Feed my sheep." "Feed my sheep." Jesus doesn't restore Peter to a comfortable retirement. He restores him to work — to shepherding the very people Jesus loves. Love for Christ is proven not in feelings but in feeding. In showing up for his people. In care that costs something.

This is where our week lands, and where Sunday's lesson — "Simon Peter, From Weakness to Strength" — comes home. The man who crumbled in a courtyard is the same man Jesus now trusts with his flock. The strength was never Peter's nerve. It was the love of Christ reaching back into Peter's worst failure and calling him forward into purpose. Even the hard prophecy Jesus adds — that Peter will one day stretch out his hands and be led where he would not choose — is spoken as honor, not threat. The man who once saved his own skin will one day lay it down, and not deny his Lord again.

Then comes the same invitation Peter heard at the very beginning, before any of it: "Follow me." Two words. The whole journey, weakness to strength, fits between the first time Peter heard them and this one.

Jesus asks you the same question this morning. Not "have you been perfect?" Not "did you ever fail me?" Just — "do you love me?" And if the answer is yes, even a trembling yes, then there are lambs to feed and sheep to tend and a Savior still saying, "Follow me."

Thought for the Day

Love restored is love put to work: feed his sheep.

Reflection Question

Jesus asks you, too: do you love me? How will you feed his sheep this week?

Prayer

Lord Jesus, you meet me at the very fire where I failed, and you ask me only this: do you love me? My answer is yes — a trembling yes, but yes. Show me the lambs you want me to feed and the sheep you want me to tend. I hear you saying "follow me," and by your grace, I will. Amen.

Today is Sunday school. We save you a seat.