Day 30. Do You Truly Love Me?
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Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep." John 21:15-16
There are several great lessons which we should learn from Peter's restoration. One is that the first essential in a Christian worker, is love for Christ Himself. Wisdom will not do.Eloquence will not do. We may delight in the work itself. People sometimes talk about a "passion for souls" as essential in one who would work for Christ; but this is not enough. Nothing less than a passion for Christ Himself will do to fit one for labour for souls.
"I have but one passion, and that is He," said a great missionary. When we love Christ with all our heart, and not until then — are we ready to do His work. He will not entrust the care of His flock to any who are not loyal to Him and do not love Him. "Do you truly love me?" comes before "Feed my lambs."
Another thought here for workers is, that they must feed the souls entrusted to their care. Entertainment is not the object — but feeding, spiritual feeding. But what is food for souls?
Nothing but Christ Himself; and the way to feed others on Christ — is to open up for them the holy Word, that they may see Christ and learn to love Him and trust Him and do His will. We must be sure that we give true soul-food, the pure Word of God, to those whom we undertake to feed.
Then more than feeding is here enjoined. The Master's words vary here: He bade Peter feed the lambs and "take care of my sheep"; that is, give them all shepherd-care — love, protection, guidance, provision. The most important and responsible work in all this world — is caring for souls.
The responsibility rests, not on pastors alone — but upon all parents, all teachers, all Christians. We dare not do this work carelessly. It would be a terrible thing if through our negligence any soul should be marred. They are Christ's lambs and Christ's sheep — whom we are set to shepherd; we must be faithful.
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