JOHN 21:15-17: “After breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.” “Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him. Jesus 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. A 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.” NLT

OBSERVATION: What is the primary call and responsibility of the church? What is the most sacred gift that God can give a husband and a wife? Who has God called us to pour our lives into? Yet who are often forgotten and considered only after everything else?

It is our Children!

Throughout Jesus’ ministry, there was a continuing tension between the disciples and Jesus regarding children. The disciples saw children as a distraction, getting in the way of the important work of ministry. Yet, time after time, Jesus brought the children to Himself and showed how important they were in the Kingdom of God!

“One day, some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could lay his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him. But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” And he placed his hands on their heads and blessed them before he left.” (Matthew 19:13-15 NLT)

In the final chapter of the Gospel of John, we have the wonderful account of Peter’s restoration and call to ministry. When Jesus originally called Peter, He told Peter to leave his nets and follow Him, learning to become a fisher of men. Yet, after Jesus death and resurrection, following Peter’s denial of Jesus three times, Peter returns to his boat and the comfortable place he had left.

Peter did not feel worthy after his denial, and felt all he could catch was fish!

Yet, the Resurrected Jesus started with Peter right from the beginning. After a night of empty toil with no results, Jesus calls to them from the beach,

“…Fellows, have you caught any fish?” “No,” they replied.” (John 21:5 NLT)

Then, just as Jesus did when He first called Peter, He called out to them in the boat and said,

“…Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!” So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it.” (John 21:6 NLT)

Peter recognized that something more was happening. He remembered how Jesus had called him at the beginning. Peter was experiencing Jesus’ call all over again. The one who had denied Jesus, the one who felt unworthy, the one who never thought he could be used again, obeyed these words, and in that moment of obedience, Peter’s eyes were opened.

“Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It’s the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for work), jumped into the water, and headed to shore.” (John 21:7 NLT)

What does all of this have to do with children? I am glad you asked. It is in Peter’s restoration, in the confirmation of his calling, that we discover God’s heart and His priorities.

There is a wonderful study of the Greek words used by Jesus and Peter for the word love. Most of our focus on these verses revolves around this interchange and Peter’s restoration. Three times Peter denied Jesus, and three times Jesus asked Peter, “Peter, do you love me?” Yet, it is the call Jesus gives to Peter after this important question that I want to shine a light on.

Jesus gave Peter three charges as He restored Peter to his call to ministry.

• Feed my lambs.
• Tend my sheep.
• Feed my sheep.

I want to focus on the first call. When Peter cried out, “Yes Lord, You know that I love You,” Jesus then said, “Feed my lambs.” The Greek word that Jesus chose in this first call is the word for a lambkin, or a baby lamb. It is the smallest of the flock. It is the one most often overlooked. It is the one who needs the most time, care, and attention.

It is the Children!

When Jesus taught about leaving the 99 to rescue the 1, it was in the context of His call to remember the children. When Jesus taught about the heart needed to enter the Kingdom of God, He was speaking about the children. When the disciples were aggravated by the little ones who seemed to be keeping them from important business, Jesus drew them close and shone His light on the children. Throughout Scripture, we are called, taught, exhorted, and reminded…

Don’t forget the Children!

The Psalmist declared,

“We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about his power and his mighty wonders.” (Psalm 78:4 NLT)

It is so easy to look above and beyond God’s greatest gifts in our lives. Yet, the future of our lives, churches, communities, and our world is our children. They are the Next Generation. They are the ones who will determine the future. The church is always one generation away from decline, unless…

We remember the Children!

Children are not simply a strategy of the Kingdom; they are the essence of the Kingdom. They are the heart of the Father. They are the precious treasure He has entrusted to us. They are the First and Foremost command that He has given to the Church,

“Feed my lambkins!”

Heavenly Father, open our eyes to look upon the harvest. As we do, may we not look over the tender, precious shoots that are sprouting right before us. May we see every child and love them with the love that Jesus showed as He walked this earth. May we seek out the lost lambkins. May the hearts of fathers be turned once again to the hearts of children. Lord, help us always remember…

Don’t Forget the Children!

In Jesus’ Name!