Feed my Lambs and Sheep!

By Helen Jesze, 22^nd April 2022

Jesus turned and looked at Peter, Peter heard the cock outside. His look said, I still love you, Peter, even though you’ve me denied. Peter rushed and blindly groping for the latch upon the door, Shutting out the crowded courtyard, could not bear it anymore. Rushing, tripping through the alleys, remorse and anguish welling up, He denied his Lord and Master, he had filled his bitter cup.

Peter sadly going fishing, hears a voice call from the shore. Disappointed, has caught nothing: I’m not fishing anymore. Cast your net out on the right side – did it and then they did take A multitude of glist’ning fishes and in the net not a single break! John, he whispered: It is Jesus! Peter looked and jumped right in, Forgot the fishes, only knowing that he right to his Lord must swim.

Jesus, calling from the lakeside: I have food here, come and eat. Peter, with fried fish and bread, sitting there at Jesus’ feet. No-one dares to ask: Who are you? For they know it is the Lord, Caring for tired, hungry fishermen, He – the Resurrected Word! Jesus turned and looked at Peter, in His eyes forgiveness deep. Peter, if you truly love me, Peter, feed my lambs and sheep!

— Helen Jesze

Jesus has been taken prisoner. Peter, following to see what would happen to Him, warming his hands at the fire in the courtyard with the scoffers and the servants of the High Priest, now denies for the third time that he knows Jesus, and the rooster crows outside. At that very moment Jesus is led out and turns to look at Peter, sorrowfully and searchingly. Then Peter realises, that is what Jesus had told him would happen. He rushes away to find a place to weep and the Bible tells us he “wept bitterly”.

Simon, the reed which was blown every way in the wind, was being fashioned in the hand of God into “Peter, the rock, or the stone which came out of the big rock”. He, who had said he would die for Jesus, had to first plumb the depths of self-discovery, and learn how weak he really was apart from the power of Jesus. Peter denied Jesus and Judas betrayed Him. Yet Peter repented and Judas went and hung himself.

Jesus, risen from the dead, shows Himself to His disciples, to over 500 people at the same time, to the two disciples walking to Emmaus and to Peter, a special visitation, just for him (Luke 24:34). I wonder what they talked about, but I’m sure Jesus assured Peter of His forgiveness and mercy. In that time of self-discovery, Jesus was with him all the way. Peter’s repentance was deep and complete. Every man and woman of God goes through various “wilderness times”, where God shapes and moulds us, like the potter making a vessel on the wheel. These come as God plans them, not just because we have sinned or denied Jesus like Peter.

Even though they now knew Jesus had risen from the dead, they did not know what to do next. Jesus, being no longer with them physically had left a great void. So Peter decides to go fishing; some others join him. They toiled all night and caught nothing, then a voice calls from the shore. As they obey His instructions, their boats are nearly dragged under from the weight of so many fishes! Peter, jumps into the sea and swims to that figure – it must be Jesus, only he could work a miracle like that!

A fire has been made, fried fish and bread are prepared for them all. In wonderment they eat and look at the beloved face of their Lord. Then Jesus again singles out Simon Peter and asks him three times if he loves Him. Peter is hurt by this but humbly he says: Lord, you know all things.You know that I love you! Peter then receives a special commission from Jesus: “Peter, feed my lambs and sheep!” He goes on to tell what death he would die to glorify Jesus, but until that time, Peter was to become a mighty Apostle (John 21:3-17).

I wonder if you are feeling you have denied Jesus in some way, and Satan is tormenting you that you cannot be forgiven. The promise is also to you and me:

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 1 John 1:7 NIV

This is written to Believers, reminding us that while we walk in the light of God’s Word, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with each other, and if / when we sin, if we repent, Jesus’ blood purifies us from every sin. At our New Birth, the root of sin was taken out of our heart, our spirit, and Jesus planted new life, a new nature, in its place. But this does not mean that we never sin again. However, if we do sin and truly repent, we will be cleansed and forgiven, just as Peter was. So I want to encourage you today, that whatever Satan is tormenting you with, you can stand on that verse and receive cleansing and peace of mind again – today!