The Great Sending, Chapter 23

Reverand Dr. Russell Sommerfeld

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs… Tend my sheep… Feed my sheep.”
The end became the beginning! John 20:30-31 seems like the conclusion of the Gospel according to John:
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

However, John immediately picks up again in Chapter 21 with, “After this Jesus revealed Himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias…”

There was more to the come. The resurrected Jesus met seven of his disciples back at their fishing vocations. He encountered them as he had done three years earlier when he had called them to be fishers of men, still failing in their vocations as fishermen. They had nothing to show for their labors. And once again, Jesus miraculously produced a fish story of all fish stories. Together, he and the disciples hauled in a net of 153 fish. John counted them!

Before they had landed this eye-popping catch on shore, Peter, upon hearing John identify Jesus standing on the shore, wrapped his outer garment around him, plunged into the water, and swam to meet Jesus. It appears John wanted to be with Jesus before his companions arrived.

Peter was surely heavily burdened with guilt over denying any association he had with Jesus. How could he ever forget Jesus’s eyes looking into his own the night before Jesus’s crucifixion, when he had denied Jesus (Luke 22:61)? Oh, how Peter had protested when Jesus had predicted his three-fold denial before a rooster crowed twice. Never would he do such a thing! He would rather die (Matthew 26:35)!

When Jesus breathed his last on the cross, Peter had likely thought he would be forever haunted by his dastardly deed of denial. But Jesus had overcome death. He came back. When would he confront Peter? Peter likely hoped that would happen in private. But, alas, it was not until the others had arrived on shore and Jesus had fed them breakfast that the questions began.

And the questions were potent:
“Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
“Do you love me as a friend?”

Without mentioning the denials, Jesus went straight to the miserable heart of the matter. From love for his teacher to personal love and friendship, Jesus questioned Peter’s integrity. It is no surprise that Peter was grieved, yes, cut to the heart!

However, we dare not miss what Jesus said after Peter answered his questions, insisting repeatedly that he loved Jesus. Jesus did not respond with, “Then prove it!” Rather, he said, “Feed my lambs… Tend my sheep… Feed my sheep.”

Jesus had put an end to the guilt and shame of Peter’s dishonest denials. He gave Peter a new beginning. Yes, Jesus gave Peter the privilege of feeding and tending Jesus’s flock. Jesus freed Peter from the end of guilt and shame that had sprouted from the self- centeredness of sin. He freed Peter to serve his flock.

Peter would feed the little children and those new to recognizing Jesus as their Good Shepherd. He would also tend to those who were following Jesus through the nourishment of his Word. Yes, the end became the beginning for God’s redeemed, forgiven and restored Peter. God gave Peter a new beginning of service.

Of course, as was his impulsive style, Peter questioned how Jesus would deal with John. After all, it was John who had made it possible for Peter to be at Jesus’s trial and deny him. (John 18:15). Jesus reminded Peter to be concerned with himself, yes, with his own beginning to be Christ’s witness for His flock.

Jesus has ended our guilt and shame with his own life and death. He gives us the beginning of each new day to feed others with his Word and tend them with his love.

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