Caretakers

John 21:5-6, 9, 11, 17-19

After the resurrection of Christ, his care for the people who served him is truly wonderful. We have the disciples and then we have those sheep for whom Peter was asked to care. Whether you are sheep or disciples, you always see similar patterns of behavior. The way Jesus handles these people is wonderful to see. If you ever find yourself surrounded by sheep and disciples, look to Jesus's example, ask him for direction, and he will show you how to handle the divine assignment. The first part of this story explains the last. We always focus on the call of Peter to care for God's sheep. Some see this as a role model for us to follow because Peter loved the Lord. What is important to see is that as he loved the Lord, he would care for these sheep to the point of laying down his own life.

Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!"

These verses speak of the laying down of his life unto the point of death. The life of Christ is seen fully formed in Peter; so also, it should be in each of us as in Galatians 4:19. If you look at the life of Peter, he was always led where he did not wish to go; he went from the Jews to the Gentiles. Then he went all the way to the religious persecution of the cross where history has it, he was crucified upside down. This kind of death glorified God. The sacrament of baptism says we are buried in the likeness of his death and raised in the likeness of his resurrection. So therefore, the disciples of Hebrews 11 loved not their lives to the point of death. This commitment is lifelong. His power may show up to resurrect anything, person, or situation for his glory. For there to be a resurrection, there must be a death. Romans 8:36 says for his sake we are killed all day long. The love of Christ pushes out the love of self. It replaces the things you care about with the things of God. The outcome of such a life is the Lord's.

The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.

Let us look at the character of the sheep. They are dumb, helpless animals herded by instinct in search of grass and water. Sometimes their quest leads them onto dangerous mountains and sheer cliffs. Sometimes they go to the same places over and over again to their detriment because of their instinct. Sometimes they wander off and need the shepherd to carry them back. They are easy prey for the lions and wolves. They could not survive without the shepherd, yet they think themselves most independent.

He called out to them, "Friends, haven't you any fish?" "No," they answered. He said, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

Now, let us examine the character of the disciples. Jesus called them away from fishing to follow him. When he died, what did they do but go right back to fishing. This is why when he ascended into Heaven, he had to tell them to go wait in Jerusalem; he was sending the Spirit to dwell in them in Luke 24:49. So the miracle was not that he ascended into Heaven; the miracle was that they sat in prayer in Jerusalem and waited for him. Otherwise, they would still be fishermen today. For God to have his way, he must break cycles of behavior in thinking, reacting, locating, doing, and speaking. He is elevating you to a higher task and a Heavenly calling that requires your earthly obedience. What did I say about the sheep? Jesus did not mind calling his disciples his sheep. Amid their stinking thinking God provided for them. Note, he did not run off the beach screaming and shouting like the disciples might have. You have to submit your responses to God. Proverbs 16:7 says, when your "ways please the Lord, he makes even" your enemies "to be at peace with" you. Rather, Jesus came to the disciples and joined in fishing since they were not catching anything. So instead of being funny, he suggested trying the other side of boat; I know some of them were ready to knock off his block. As I said, when he calls you he also saves and sanctifies you. You have to submit your ways to him and he will change them. When he calls you, he provides. Behold, there were fish both in their nets and on the shore.

When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.

When they caught what they wanted, he directed them to the shore where they found fish cooked and a fire for them to get warm and eat. When God provides, it is above and beyond expectations instead of something mediocre. Mediocre is a trap of the devil. Look at the provision. There was a fire, cooked fish, and bread. He did not just light the fire and say go cook your fish. He did not just toss fish out of the lake at them. Look at the temptation of Jesus in the desert in Luke 4:1-13. What good is an angel to catch you when you fall off the temple roof, the kingdoms of the world to bow down for a moment, or even stones being turned into bread to fill a hunger when Jesus could simply provide for the long term. He has the whole of the fallen angels to serve him already. He has all the kingdoms of the world to worship him for all eternity in their comings or their goings. Finally, he will turn the hardships into feeding circumstances for all eternity for his people.

So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn.

The devil's temptations are short sighted. Here was the man they left fishing to find; then he came back to call them again out of fishing unto himself for the rest of their lives. When you serve him, he provides. There is even supernatural strength given Peter to haul 153 fish onto the shore as one man without a torn net. He even provided for Peter's jealousy of the person Jesus loved by giving him special provision and anointing. You see, had it not been for this following of Jesus, we would never have had this marvelous testimony of God's anointing power. You must follow Christ. This is why no one bothered to ask him 'who are you.' 'Who are you' questions his authority, identity, and leadership. They all knew who he was because of his provision. The heart of the Father is always good. See the changed responses. When he calls you, nothing will be the same again. When you are walking in your purpose and your destiny, no one will question you because of the obvious supernatural anointing on your life. His power, presence, and purpose become yours as you are following him. Look at the provision for the disciples, the church, and the world.