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From Disqualified to Deployed

John 21:15-17

When they had eaten breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said to Him, “You know that I love You.”

“Feed My lambs,” He told him.

A second time He asked him, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said to Him, “You know that I love You.”

“Shepherd My sheep,” He told him.

He asked him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?”

Peter was grieved that He asked him the third time, “Do you love Me?”  He said, “Lord, You know everything! You know that I love you.”

“Feed My sheep,” Jesus said.

While it might seem that Jesus was being repetitive with Peter, He actually gave Peter three different commands. In order to follow all three instructions, Peter would have to love Jesus. The commands were to:

1. Feed My lambs.

2. Shepherd My sheep.

3. Feed My sheep.

Lambs are baby sheep – sheep that have just been born or are growing and have not yet reached adulthood. Jesus was instructing Peter to nurture those who had just come into His kingdom and were learning the gospel. Peter was to teach them the Word of God, just as Jesus had taught and demonstrated to him.

Sheep are matured lambs. They have grown and are now adults, able of reproducing. Peter was to shepherd – lead – these sheep who were now capable of bringing others into the kingdom of God themselves and leading them.

Finally, the matured sheep also need to be feed. Just because they are grown does not mean they don’t continually need to be fed. Unless they are fed, they will starve from lack of nourishment. Peter was to continue to feed the matured sheep, leading them to further maturity and wholeness.

Peter had just a few days earlier denied Jesus three times after He was arrested. While he may have felt like he was disqualified from ministry and must return to what he did before to make a living, Jesus deployed Peter to ministry with an even greater calling than He bestowed upon him previously. In His initial call to Peter, Jesus told him to follow Him, and He would make him a fisher of men, which describes evangelism. He now called Peter to not only evangelize but to shepherd and care for His people full time. In this encounter, Jesus called Peter to pastor the first church.

Jesus does not call us to perfection; He calls us to maturity, which often means coming face to face with our imperfections. He did not disqualify Peter. On the contrary, He called Peter to an even greater position and challenge.

Do you feel disqualified because of a failure, sin, or error? Understand today that God has not disqualified you from the call He originally gave you. He knew your weaknesses before He called you, yet He called you anyway. You may not trust yourself, but He trusts what He has placed in you. If you love Him, He will lead you to a place where you can tend His sheep in some way. He will not let you go backwards while He is moving you forward! Be willing to go where He instructs, regardless of how unqualified you may feel. Learn from your mistakes, and keep marching. Your destiny is worth reaching!

Have a blessed day!

PHOEBE Connections, Inc. is a 501(c)3 dedicated to enhancing the lives of widows by building relationships and helping them find new identity in Jesus Christ through serving others. We promote an atmosphere of fellowship, where the widow can connect with other widows to develop friendships and supportive relationships.