by Prisca | 21 November 2018 08:46 pm11
Jesus once said:
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”
John 14:15 (ESV)
Many believers stop here, thinking that loving Christ is simply about obeying His commandments. However, this is not the complete picture. If it were enough, Jesus would not have asked Peter an additional question one that reveals a deeper dimension of love.
Let’s read from:
John 21:15-17 (ESV)
“When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of John, 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.’
He said to him a second time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ He said to him, ‘Tend my sheep.’
He said to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?’ Peter was grieved 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.’”
From this passage, we learn that loving Christ involves more than obedience it includes a deep, active concern for His people. Jesus gave Peter three responsibilities that complete the expression of love:
These are not mere poetic words. They describe a practical, spiritual duty for every believer especially those who claim to love Jesus.
To keep God’s commandments is to understand them, love them, and live by them not just to recite them. For those who truly love God, His commands are not burdensome.
“For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.”
1 John 5:3 (ESV)
Why are they not burdensome? Because the Holy Spirit lives in us, empowering us to obey. The yoke of Christ is gentle, and His burden is light (see Matthew 11:28–30). We are no longer under the bondage of law, but rather under the freedom of grace that enables obedience from the heart.
Moses expressed this principle in the Old Testament:
Deuteronomy 30:10–11 (ESV)
“If you obey the voice of the Lord your God, to keep his commandments and his statutes that are written in this Book of the Law… then you shall turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.
For this commandment that I command you today is not too hard for you, neither is it far off.”
True obedience doesn’t flow from fear or slavery, but from love and relationship. Yet, keeping His commandments alone does not fully express our love for Christ He also calls us to care for His people.
What does it mean to “feed His lambs”? Lambs refer to young believers those new in faith or still growing. Feeding them means nurturing them with sound doctrine, spiritual encouragement, and biblical truth.
Importantly, Jesus said, “My lambs.” They do not belong to us they belong to Him. This means we cannot feed them with our own opinions or traditions, but only with the pure Word of God:
“Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation.”
1 Peter 2:2 (ESV)
Each of us has a role to play. If you see a fellow believer wandering, struggling, or confused, don’t ignore it. Christ calls you to feed them not with philosophy or empty motivation but with the Bread of Life (John 6:35).
Jesus also said, “Tend My sheep,” meaning to care for and protect them. Again, the sheep belong to Him. We are not their masters; we are caretakers under His authority.
One of the greatest dangers to God’s flock is false teachers and deceivers. Jesus warned us clearly:
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.”
Matthew 7:15 (ESV)
These false prophets disguise themselves as believers. On the outside, they may seem holy but inwardly, they are filled with sin and deception. These are not just fake “prophets,” but also fake pastors, fake evangelists, and even fake worshippers people who claim the name of Christ but live in darkness.
Paul also warned the church:
1 Corinthians 5:11 (ESV)
“But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler not even to eat with such a one.”
Protecting the flock means exposing error, guarding against deception, and teaching the sheep to recognize wolves. If we truly love Christ, we cannot be silent while His people are being led astray.
Tending to God’s flock is not just the job of pastors or preachers. It’s the duty of every Christian. In the family of God, older siblings help guide the younger ones. Similarly, mature believers should disciple, protect, and build up the faith of others.
Galatians 6:1–2 (ESV)
“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness… Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
We must not say we love Jesus, and yet neglect or ignore His people. Love for Christ includes love for His body the Church.
True love for Christ is expressed in three ways:
Let us not merely profess love with our lips, but demonstrate love with our lives.
John 21:17
“Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.”
May the Lord help us all to truly love Him not only by obeying His Word, but also by feeding and protecting His flock.
“Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.”
1 John 3:18 (ESV)
God bless you.
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