40 Days After Easter - Peter

Matthew 16:18

"And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it."

Peter had to be reinstated

Jesus had called Peter the "Rock". Yet when the odds were against them, Peter ran away and denied Jesus. In his own eyes he had fallen, knowing he had betrayed as well. Twice he had shown his biggest weakness - fear. Once when he tried to walk on the water and again when Jesus had been taken away. 

But if Peter had to become the rock of Christianity, Jesus needed to reinstate his position among the disciples as well build Peters self confidence. This was critical if this group of 12 or G-12 was to be successful. Note the following verses: 

15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

17 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.

This is what Christ had to do. Reinstate Peter's leadership, Peters commitment and Peters assignment, after the debacle. 

These three commands may sound similar but they are actually different. 

**The three commands, although often translated the same way, are subtly different. The first time Jesus says it, the Greek means literally “pasture (tend) the lambs” (v. 15). The Greek word for “pasture” is in the present tense, denoting a continual action of tending, feeding and caring for animals. 

The second time, the literal meaning is “tend My sheep” (v. 16). In this exchange, Jesus was emphasizing tending the sheep in a supervisory capacity, not only feeding but ruling over them. This expresses the full scope of pastoral oversight, both in Peter’s future and in all those who would follow him in pastoral ministry.

The third time, the literal translation is “pasture (tend) the sheep” (v. 17). Here Jesus combines the different Greek words to make clear the job of the shepherd of the flock of God. They are to tend, care for, and provide spiritual food for God’s people, from the youngest lambs to the full-grown sheep** 

(** sourced from Got Questions Ministries). 

Very clear instructions to Peter as well as other disciples, and maybe to us today. 

Like Peter,  we often forget that God is in control, and we overstep our limited authority. God works through us in spite of our human frailties. No offense is too great to be forgiven by God. We can accomplish great things when we put our faith in God instead of ourselves and follow His purpose for our lives.