Shepherd Leadership

After rising from the dead, Jesus appeared to his disciples on several occasions. Paul lists these appearances in 1 Corinthians 15:3-8. Jesus appeared to many people individually, to his leaders multiple times, and even to more than 500 disciples at once. In one of these appearances, he repeated a miracle that had changed Peter’s life early in the ministry. This was the last breakfast with Jesus. Take note of the instructions he gives about leadership.

Questions from your reading

• As you read this story, how do you think the disciples were feeling? What failures had they recently experienced?
• What is Jesus modelling for us about leadership?
• What does Jesus expect from his leaders?
• What other questions do you still have?

Reflecting on your reading

Jesus had already met with his disciples twice behind closed doors in Jerusalem (John 21:14) because they were still terrified of the religious authorities and the Roman guard, both of whom wanted to crush the Jesus movement. Jesus told them to go back to Galilee and wait for him (Matt. 28:10). So they travelled north to Peter’s home by the Sea of Galilee. Tired of waiting, Peter decided to return to his old profession—fishing. He invited the others to join him. They fished all night and caught nothing. Sound familiar? (See Luke 5.)

As day broke, Jesus prepared breakfast for them on the shore—fish and bread. When they were close enough to see him, he called out, “Catch anything?” In frustration, they answered, “No!” Jesus told them, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some” (John 21:6). They did—and caught 153 fish. John looked at Peter and said, “There’s only one person who could do this.” Peter threw on his tunic, jumped into the water, and swam to shore while the others hauled in the net.

They all gathered for a morning meal—Jesus’ last breakfast with them. When they finished eating, Jesus led them on a walk down the beach.

As they walked, Jesus asked Peter a series of questions that, on the surface, all sound the same. So do Peter’s responses. But they aren’t. Keep in mind—weeks had passed since the resurrection. Jesus had appeared to them twice as a group. Now, gently and personally, he turned to Peter, the leader, and asked: “Simon [his pre-discipleship name], son of John, do you truly love [agape] me more than these?” The word agape signifies the strongest kind of love—self-sacrificial, unconditional—the kind of love that led Jesus to the cross.

Peter replied, “Yes, Lord…you know that I love [phileo] you.” His word choice—phileo—refers to brotherly love, the deep affection between close friends. Jesus answered, “Feed my lambs.”

Who were Jesus’ lambs? And who were the “these” Jesus mentioned? Most likely, he was referring to the fish lying in the sand—the symbols of Peter’s old profession. The question may have been: “Am I more important to you than this—your career, your comfort, your identity as a fisherman? If so, get to work. Tend to my lambs. Tell the lost about me.”

They walked on. Jesus asked again, “Simon son of John, do you truly love [agape] me?” Peter answered again, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love [phileo] you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” It was a challenge—“Step up. Lead. Shepherd the movement. Get to work. If you love me, obey me.”

Then Jesus asked a third time, “Simon son of John, do you love [phileo] me?” Peter, grieved and frustrated, replied, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love [phileo] you.” Jesus responded: “Feed my sheep.”

It’s as if Jesus was saying,

“The lambs and sheep of the world need you to lead them. Let’s go. Stop looking at yourself—start looking at me. On your own, you’re still Simon. But I can work through you if you walk by faith. Look at what just happened—you fished all night and caught nothing, but at my word, 153 fish filled your net. I can provide. I can do anything. If you truly love [phileo] me—then obey me.”

What a moment for Peter. From this point on, the Gospels record no further attempts by him to return to fishing. Jesus’ final instruction was for Peter to lead the disciples (likely including the 500) to a mountain, where he would appear to them next. What will happen there?

Applying what you’ve read

How about you? Do you phileo Jesus—or agape him? If you truly love him, you’ll obey him.

Why was Peter reluctant to use the word agape? Perhaps because he’d once claimed he would die for Jesus, only to deny knowing him three times. Maybe he doubted his ability to love like that.

Take some time with your group to talk about what it means to obey Jesus and shepherd his lambs and sheep.