334 SE Tecumseh Road  P.O. Box 5  Tecumseh, Kansas 66542  (785) 379-5005  Fax - (785) 379-5061

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Do you love me? Do you love me? Do you love me? John 21:1-19  Talk about spoiling a good breakfast! The risen Jesus (we’re still in Easter, still with the resurrected Messiah) is on the beach with his disciples, and he’s fixing breakfast. He prepares fresh fish over the open fire, and heats the bread, and then invites everyone to participate in the feast. (Sound familiar?) Everyone eats, and no doubt is feeling great after a solid, hearty meal with the Master. But then, Jesus starts posing questions to Peter, and the conversation goes something like this:  Jesus             Simon, my friend, tell me something - do you love me? Peter              (a little embarrassed to be asked that in front of the others) Well, yes, Lord, of                         course. You know that I love you! Jesus              Feed my lambs.  (Peter is puzzled, waits for more explanation, but none if                                        offered; there is a silence, all begin to relax a bit, and then:) Jesus              Simon, my friend – do you love me? Peter               (face turns red, notices others looking at him, waiting for his reply, and he                         finally says, rather tersely:) Yes, Lord, as I said before, you know that I love                         you. Jesus             Tend my sheep. (Peter is squirming, face muscles are tightening, hands are                         digging into the sand; more silence, and then:) Jesus             Simon, my friend – do you love me? Peter              (now he’s upset, really upset, and he immediately comes back with:) Come on,                        Jesus, I’ve already answered you twice! You know what’s in my heart, so                         you know that I love you!! Jesus             Feed my sheep. (Peter starts to respond, but Jesus cuts him off) Listen to                          what I’m saying to you: when you were young you could dress yourself                              go wherever you wanted to go. But, when you get old you’ll have to                         depend on others to dress you, and to take you where you don’t want to go.                         (Jesus is hinting at how Peter’s own death would be difficult, but would also                         be in God’s glory. Peter is quiet, thinking about what Jesus is asking. The other                         disciples also are quiet, fully concentrating on what Jesus is teaching. Finally:)Jesus              Follow me.  Peter, as well as the others, are asked to think about what it means to follow the risen Christ, to now serve as apostles sent out to spread the message. So here we are, all of us, gathered on the beach with Jesus and he looks us right in the eye and says to us: My good people, do you love me? There’s a silence in the air, a bit of tension, and then comes our answer :_______  !!  - Pastor Piet - April 22, 2007