Feed my Sheep

While the research on happiness covers a lot of ground and is certainly nuanced at points, much of the data seem to overlap at a deceptively simple conclusion: whatever else may be helpful – health, wealth, and what not – two things are absolutely essential to feel happy: 1) a sense of belonging to a community and 2) the belief that what you do matters. Those are the two key predictors of fulfillment and productivity: belonging and purpose.


Isn't that just what Jesus offers Peter in these verses: he is brought back into the discipleship community and he is given meaningful work to do.

Sunday morning worship is connecting to the community. What meaningful feeding of sheep do we do?

Do you Love me?

John 21:17 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.”


"Love means never having to say you're sorry" is a line from the novel and 1970 film Love Story.

I think John Lennon may be been closer to the truth when he said, "Love means having to say you're sorry every fifteen minutes."

Hate means never having to say you’re sorry. Love means you’re willing to sacrifice your pride and make amends even when you’ve both been in the wrong. Love means hanging in with each other and working through the hurt.

How many times must we seek to restore the relationship? 3 times? 7 times? 70 times 7 times?

Thank you Jesus for reaching out even to those who betrayed and abandoned you. We’ll try to continue to tend your lambs.