So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, 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." He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Tend My sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, 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 all things; You know that I love You." Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep.”
John 21:15-17
Jesus graciously lead Peter to receive three-fold forgiveness and reconciliation after having denied Jesus three times. His estrangement and probable sense of guilt was relieved as Peter affirmed His love for Jesus three times. But there was more.
Three times Jesus commissioned Peter to the role of pastoral ministry, charging Peter to: "Feed My lambs," "Tend My sheep," and "Feed My sheep.” Let us consider three lessons about sheep and shepherds.
Sheep belong to Jesus. Though the Lord appoints human “under-shepherds” (aka pastors), the sheep all belong to Jesus. While pastors are not to be “hirelings,” with no commitment to the task of shepherding beyond a paycheck, pastors do not own the sheep. This does not lessen the pastor’s responsibility, however. It makes it greater as he will answer to the Great Shepherd for his diligence to “shepherd the flock of God” (1 Peter 5:2). That the sheep belong to Jesus is a serious stewardship for pastors and a great comfort to the sheep.
Sheep are not all the same. That Jesus refers to the sheep both as “lambs” and “sheep” is a reminder that each one is at a different place in his or her spiritual growth and maturity. Pastors must remember to shepherd young lambs somewhat differently from how they shepherd more mature sheep. Additionally, sheep need to grow and mature into adult sheep, while adult sheep must also be patient with their less experienced younger brothers and sisters.
Sheep need to be “shepherded.” Jesus didn’t use the same word three times. Twice he used the word most commonly associated with feeding, but once He used a broader word that means “leading or caring for.” Feeding Christ’s sheep from the Word is paramount, but sheep also must be led and cared for. Sheep need to be led by example, in addition to instruction. Sheep need to be defended from predators (wolves). This means warning the flock of false teachers and their unbiblical teachings. Sheep need to be disciplined at times. Discipline requires correction and sometimes even rebuke, always with both kindness and firmness. Stray sheep need to be restored. Pastors must sometimes “leave the 99” to go after and and bring back the one who has wandered off.
There are many more truths regarding shepherds and sheep, but there are a few truths we need to know about shepherds and sheep—all found in this short passage.