I'm Not Sure I Want to Hear That

Warriors Arise: October 7, 2020

John 21:15 (NKJV) 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.”

Maybe you can remember back to the first time you read this. Did you really expect Jesus to respond as He did? Jesus asked, "Do you love me more than these?" With that question, one might think there was a promotion of some sort coming. However, if you remember when the disciples were having a conversation about who was the more important; Jesus had told them it didn't matter, what mattered is that their name was written in the Lamb's book of Life.

Peter professes his friendship to the Lord, he is reveres, honors, and will do whatever Jesus asks. Jesus responds by telling Peter: "Feed My lambs".

"Excuse me, I'm not sure if I heard You correctly Lord. What exactly do you want me to do with lambs?"

Jesus liked to do a play on words when He spoke to the disciples. Peter, who was a fisherman by trade, Jesus told him, "I will make you a fisher of men."

Jesus had told the disciples to be careful of the leaven in the bread of the Pharisees. Scripture says they thought Jesus was telling them this because they had forgotten to take bread. Now Jesus is speaking to Peter and I'm not sure Peter was expecting it nor did he know what the command had to do with his love for the Lord.

Lambs take a lot of work. We have some friends to raise lambs. There are bottle feedings and staying up into the night to make sure they will make it. Some lambs need a great deal of one's time.

Remember Peter is a fisherman; what does he know about lambs? Jesus is speaking in a riddle and Peter needs another revelation from God to understand what Jesus is telling him. You and I have probably heard countless teachings on this passage, so we understand what Jesus is saying; but remember back to the first time you heard this record of history. (Because this is a historical event.)

Jesus is commissioning Peter to be a fisher of men, when he feeds the Lord's lambs. How do you feed lambs? You take them out to pasture and they eat. If it was only that easy. Lambs are babies. They have to learn to go where the shepherd tells them. They have to learn to stay where the shepherd tells them. They have to follow instruction, be teachable, and trust the shepherd. Since a lamb is a baby, it needs to be kept close to the shepherd until the trust is built.

Years ago, I learned that the best leaders are those who are the best followers. Until we understand how to support, encourage and lift up another as the authority over us we rarely become the leader who can relate to those we lead, knowing how to encourage, support and lift up.

Our response is key to unlocking the door to our destiny, the purpose for which He created us. What if God were to tell you, "Feed My Lambs?"

Father, it is as if we have been taught to avoid certain questions. Maybe we want to profess our love for You but we don't want to stick around for anything else You would say. I pray I would not be afraid of the the question. I pray I would be honest with my answer. I pray I would stick around for what You would want to share with me? What I need to know. If you were to ask me. "Do you love me more than these?" it is a rhetorical question because Scripture says You know. So you must not be asking me the question because You do not know. Maybe You are asking me so I would know what I would say. The reality of coming face to face with what is deep inside of me. I am willing to take a look at myself. I am willing to profess my love for You. I am willing to listen to what You want to tell me. I am Yours and I want to walk in the fullness of the destiny You have for me. I pray for You to meet with all who know You. I ask for each one to hear Your voice. I pray each one would stop and take the time to hear what You are asking, allow their hearts and minds to be searched as they answer You. I pray each one would be ready to make a commitment to your plan for their life. I pray each one would understand what You have called them to do and walk in their destiny today. I pray You would call them back to You and pluck their feet out of the muck and the mire. I pray for Your cleansing power to set them free from their past and release them into their God-given destiny in Jesus' name amen.

A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,

Veridee Joy

My hope is for Believers in Jesus Christ to join together each day to pray, to push back the enemy as we release God’s power here on earth against the coronavirus, riots, and lies. The prayers will be listed each day as Warriors Arise. I will put a date with it so we can keep them straight. If you have any questions please feel free to make a comment or private message me. If you would like this to come to your email directly please go to verideehand.com and subscribe.