John 21:11-17
So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred fifty-three of them, and though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, "Who are you?" because they knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead. When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my lambs." A second time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Tend my sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" And he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep.
There’s a lot that’s going on in this portion of John’s Gospel. This is the 3rd time Jesus appears to the apostles post-resurrection. It’s interesting to note that the apostles after all that they’ve just been through go back to fishing and aren’t out yet proclaiming to the world.
And Jesus invites them to breakfast. It’s such an odd detail of this encounter, but it’s not the only instance of Jesus sharing a meal after his resurrection. Hospitality and sharing food is very, very important in Jesus’s socio-spiritual lexicon.
And Jesus asks Peter 3 times if Peter loves him. And that third time, it mentions that Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him if he loved him 3 times. Imagine how Jesus felt after Peter denied knowing Jesus 3 times. Oh, Peter, I think you missed the point of Jesus’s questioning. He was teaching you how to be with those you will soon lead.
Jesus says to Peter:
· Feed my lambs
· Tend my sheep
· Feed my sheep
Notice the use of lambs and sheep in this story.
That is today’s lesson from this gospel portion:
“Feed my lambs” - See to the children. Young and young in spirit. Nurture them in the ways epitomized in the teachings of Jesus. Teach them compassion, empathy, set them on the spiritual path, and show them that there are ways to be that are not earthly. Provide them with options. Show them that there are many ways to be. Provide them with an intergenerational experience, like the one Lucy is receiving here in church. Encourage them to be comfortable with those whose station in life is different from theirs. Let them see and know their privilege. Teach them to not be ashamed of their financial, intellectual, emotional or physical “poverty.” Teach them the ways that Jesus loved.
“Tend my sheep” - Provide a place of refuge, an atmosphere of safety and support. Reach out to those who are confused and seem to lack direction and help them find a way to set them on a path. Act with empathy and compassion. Listen to them. Sit with them and “be” with them. See Christ within them.
“Feed my sheep” - Learn what they need for sustenance. Support them in a way that will help fill out their lives. Share with them what inspires you. And provide to them that which will satiate their hunger: intellectually, spiritually, physically, and emotionally.
This is Jesus’s command to me, to us as individuals, and us as a church. We are a community of spiritual people. Let others with whom you come in contact experience what that means through your interaction with them. Let the lessons we learn in the course of our lives shine forth from within and show how our lives have been changed by our spiritual practice.
And what a great opportunity we have to do that next Saturday at our Annual Asparagus Supper. Both in the kitchen and outside of the kitchen. Amen.