Well...Do you?

John 21:15-17 "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.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved 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."

Do you love me more than these?
Peter responded, “Yes Lord, you know that I love you.”
But that was not the question.
Jesus asked – Do you agape me more than these? Do you love me unconditionally?
This is the same kind of love the Father expresses to His Son in John 3:35. This is the kind of love described in the “new command” in John 13:34 – that they were to Love one another. It is written in such a way, that it represents an intentional action that has no end.

His response was – I love you like a brother (phileo). It is an “affection based on an association”.
I love you because you are my Lord. (conditional love)
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Another way of saying it is, "I am telling you to extend agape love to my followers." This description is particular to weaker followers, in which Peter is told to watch over and teach the Word.

Jesus asked again, “Do you love me?”  Again, this is agape love.
Peter responded in the same way – I love you because you are my Lord (association).
Jesus said, “Tend my sheep.”  This word means to shepherd.  (To take care of, guide or help.)
Do it intentionally, without end, in agape love.  To whom? All those in the Lord’s possession.  Using sheep as the subject, it indicates those in need of guidance.

In agape love, we have a great responsibility to express God’s love unconditionally to His weak followers through teaching and to His other followers by caring.

Jesus asks one more time, perhaps giving Peter an opportunity to express His love publically the same number of times he denied Jesus publically earlier. Peter, do you love me like a brother?
Peter was grieved!  Why must you keep asking? Do you not believe me? Lord, You know everything! With every ounce I can muster, you know I love you because you are my Lord! "Feed my sheep."

Our “kind” of love for the Lord will change as we mature in our spiritual walk.  When we begin our relationship with Jesus, why do we love Him? Because of what He did! That is a conditional love. However, as God continues revealing His unconditional love, we begin modeling that kind of love to each other.  When we grasp that kind of love, we can then mentor, disciple, teach and care for the people of God effectively – which is in accordance to His command.

He is asking you and me, "Do you agape me? Then feed my lambs and tend my sheep."

Well...do you?

I am......what?

You have probably heard it.
You may have said it.
You likely have thought it.

The church will take care of_____________________.
Or
The church should take care of___________________.

While these comments are somewhat innocent, the implications are huge. To align ourselves with this thinking is to somehow separate ourselves from "the church". If we are separated from the church, what is our role exactly?

Criticize when we do not personally agree.
Leave when we are offended.
Designate our giving for our interests.
Take no responsibility in the mission or ministry of the church.
Consume Without contributing.

"Now you are the body of Christ (the church) and individually members of it." - 1 Corinthians 12:27 (insertion mine)

As a Christian, I am not only gloriously part of the body of Christ, I have responsibilities within the collective body of Christ. We ALL are called to contribute (serve); therefore we are served as we serve. We are never to young to serve. We are never to old to serve. We are never to busy to serve. We are never to tired to serve. We are never positionally beyond serving.

Why? Since it is God's priority, we make it our priority.

The best model of our behavior as the church, and within the church, is Jesus Christ. On the night of His betrayal, Jesus served the disciples by washing their feet and giving them bread and drink. The next day He was crucified and buried.  On the third day, He was risen in a glorified (for lack of a better term) body and appeared before the disciples numerous times. On the third appearance, The resurrected and glorified Jesus did something astonishing!

"Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish." - John 21:13

He served them! I pray that we, the church, will follow the model of the Head of the church (Jesus) by intentionally serving each other. Doesn't this sound more appropriate?

I will take care of_____________________ (because I am the church).