In John 21, Jesus shows up for breakfast after the disciples have gone back to their “mundane” job of fishing. After breakfast, Jesus takes Peter aside and asks Peter if he loves Jesus. Peter says of course. What Jesus says next some people miss… He says “feed my lambs”. Then He asks Peter the question again 2 more times. The 2nd and 3rd times, Jesus said “feed my sheep”.
15After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?e” “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.”“Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him. 16Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?”“Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.”“Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said.17A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.”Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep
Someday I’d like to do a better word study into lamb vs sheep – what is the intended meaning (is it changed in translation?). As it reads, the verse speaks to me that teaching the lambs are most important and then sheep. For years, I’ve felt called to “Feed His lambs”. That’s where the name of my blog cometh from.