Called to Love and Shepherd

 

Reading: John 21:15–23

Simon son of John, do you love me? … Feed my sheep.” 

John 21:17

After Peter’s painful failure and public denial, Jesus does not meet him with accusation, but with a question of love. Three times He asks, “Do you love Me?”—not to shame him, but to heal him. With each confession, Jesus restores Peter and entrusts him with responsibility: “Feed My lambs… Take care of My sheep.” Before Peter is called to lead, serve, or suffer for Christ, he is first called to love Christ. As Scripture reminds us, “We love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19). In God’s kingdom, devotion always comes before duty, and relationship always comes before responsibility.

N. T. Wright reminds us that all Christian service—whether quiet or visible, ordinary or extraordinary—is built on one foundation: a genuine love for Jesus. Even though we have failed Him many times, He continues to seek that love within us, inviting us to express it again, healing our past, and entrusting us with new work. This reflects Paul’s words, “If I have not love, I am nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:2). Shepherding is demanding work. Sheep wander, resist guidance, grow fearful, and sometimes even turn against their shepherd. Caring for people is often slow, tiring, and emotionally costly. Yet only love makes such faithfulness possible. Without love, ministry becomes burdensome; with love, even difficult service becomes an act of worship.

When Jesus calls Peter to “feed” and “tend” His sheep, He invites him to share in His own patient, sacrificial care. Scripture declares, “The Lord is my shepherd” (Psalm 23:1), and Jesus fulfills this promise when He says, “I am the good shepherd… I lay down my life for the sheep” (John 10:11). True shepherding involves protecting the vulnerable (Isaiah 40:11), restoring the fallen (Galatians 6:1), and persevering when growth is slow (Hebrews 13:17). Peter later urges believers, “Be shepherds of God’s flock… not lording it over them, but being examples” (1 Peter 5:2–3). Each of us is called to live this out in our families, friendships, churches, and communities—loving patiently, forgiving generously, and pointing faithfully to Christ, even when the work is hard.

Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for loving us first and restoring us by Your grace. Teach us to love Jesus deeply and to care for others faithfully. Give our family patience when shepherding is difficult, wisdom when decisions are unclear, and compassion when hearts are hurting. Make us gentle shepherds who serve with humility, perseverance, and joy. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Practice:

Pray for someone God has entrusted to your care.