On Sunday I was wondering about that little conversation Jesus has with Peter where he ask him three times “Do you love me?”.
Each time Peter says “yes, of course I do!” and after each reply Jesus says something odd.
Feed my lambs. Look after my sheep. Feed my sheep.
Odd.
I wondered aloud about the progression. Are the lambs the spiritual babies? Do the sheep, the more mature followers, also need guiding and protecting? What should the sheep be fed so that they remain healthy and strong?
Is Jesus asking Peter to ensure that the conditions for growth are in place? Is He asking Peter to make sure that the new church takes its members seriously, that they make sure people can grow in faith and that they are supported to do so?
What does that kind of growth look like? And are we anywhere close to it in our churches?

















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