On March 21, 2026, the wind woke me up in the middle of the night. So, I began talking to the Lord since I couldn’t sleep. After praying, I heard Him say “feed my sheep”. When reflecting on this the next day, I considered Jesus saying that phrase directly to me. Am I really helping the kingdom of God or just wanting the benefits? Have I been ‘feeding the sheep’ or just myself? After considering these things, I looked into the scriptures for deeper meaning.
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.”
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.”
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.” John 21:15-17 NIV
LOVE
For Jesus to say something, not only once or twice, but three times, we should really be paying attention. There are some interesting things about this passage; first the words used for love. In the Greek, there are a few different ways to describe love and in this passage two types are used: agape and phileo. Agape is a kind of unconditional love, it’s a higher love, like when we basically love someone no matter what, it’s a type of love where you take care of someone even if they aren’t being loving back. Phileo love is more of a brotherly love that comes from companionship. It’s more personal, a deep friendship-type of love.
AN IMPORTANT CONVERSATION
And considering that Jesus literally fed the disciples and then began talking about love and ‘feeding’ the sheep, makes this interaction pretty important. This is one of the last discussions they had before Jesus ascended to heaven. Therefore, we can safely assume that this conversation should be carefully studied and reflected upon.
Scripture says we are to feed on the Word of God which may consist of different levels like we see here. Notice how the passage talks about the young (lamb) and the old (sheep). We aren’t supposed to only feed one type of group, it’s everyone. And the young in Christ begin with spiritual milk.
Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. 1 Peter 2:2 NIV
One mistake I think many Christians make is believing that going to church every week is all that is needed to maintain a walk with Christ. As we mature in Christ, we need the solid food of Scripture every day in order to be healthy. Being a Christian is a lifestyle; it is a daily walk. Reading the Bible and prayer are necessary holy habits. We are in a relationship with Jesus and in order to maintain our closeness to Him, it’s important to spend time in His presence.
For everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. Hebrews 5:13-14 ESV
A DEEPER LOOK
Let’s look at the passage again with some of the word descriptions.
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love (agape) me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love (phileo) you.” Jesus said, “Feed (take care of) my lambs (the younger).”
Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love (agape) me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love (phileo) you.” Jesus said, “Take care of (govern) my sheep (the mature).”
The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love (phileo) 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 (phileo) you.” Jesus said, “Feed (take care of) my sheep (the mature).” John 21:15-17 NIV
TAKE CARE
Notice how Jesus uses agape at first, but Peter is using phileo? Perhaps this is because Peter has a phileo and agape type relationship with Jesus and this term could be used interchangeably? Or is there more to it?
The other thing that stood out was the feeding and caring for sheep. These words also have deeper meanings. According to the Blue Letter Bible, the word ‘feed’ is the Greek word bosko (G1006), which means to feed or metaphorically it could mean ‘portraying the duty of a Christian teacher to promote in every way the spiritual welfare of the members of the church.’
Whereas to the second term ‘take care’ is the Greek Word poimaino (G4165) which means to rule or govern such as – ‘rulers, to furnish pasture, for food, to nourish, to cherish one’s body, to serve the body or to supply the requisites for the soul’s need’ (Blue Letter Bible). I believe this speaks more to the order and organization of the church body. We are to be encouraging, loving, working towards respectable order within the church with the intention of establishing spiritually healthy members rooted in scripture.
SEEKER FRIENDLY?
One common theme within church is the prized goal of ‘winning the lost.’ However, I think that the more important goal should be building up the body of Christ so that we don’t get lost ourselves. We must be diligent in keeping a strong congregation. Otherwise, winning the lost may only be a temporary win.
…equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ… Ephesians 4:12 ESV
It’s important that we have a healthy church body. Just like putting on our own oxygen mask before we help another in an airplane crisis, we ourselves must be regularly in the Word and pursuing a Christian walk before putting that expectation on someone else. That doesn’t mean we are perfect; we are all far from it. However, the goal is to be like Jesus and to be united in truth with the same purpose so that we may all live out fully what the Lord has in store for us each individually and for the church as a whole. When we model the love of Christ so fully, we will naturally shine this love into the community around us. There will be no need to advertise church, others will be instinctively drawn to the church because they like what they see in us.
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. John 13:34-35 ESV
SHARING WISDOM
Just as older siblings have more responsibility in caring for younger siblings, so do the mature in Christ have a special responsibility for the younger in Christ. Many who are new to the faith don’t yet know about spiritual warfare, how to pray, sanctification or how to read their Bibles. But those of us who have fallen down a few times, suffered persecution, dark nights of the soul and amazing encounters with the Lord, have so much to offer. We can give a listening ear and an encouraging word to those who are just starting out.
Many new believers fall away and feel ignored, rejected or neglected by the flock. I personally fell away right after baptism because of this very issue. I tried to read the Bible and was completely confused by some of the stories. I had no one to ask what certain passages meant or why God allowed suffering. Thank goodness God kept running after me and I finally received understanding and persevered. But how wonderful it would have been if I had that in the beginning.
SHINE BRIGHT
Like me, there may be many new believers that don’t really know where to start or even what questions to ask. Thankfully, many churches offer classes and discipleship to new believers which I highly recommend. Teaching and discipleship are extremely helpful to new believers, especially if they are feeling harassed by the enemy.
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
Matthew 9:36-38 NIV
FEED MY SHEEP
Sheep are known to wander and need a shepherd (Jesus) to guide them. But we can help them get to know Jesus and stay on the right track! As already mentioned, when the body of Christ is healthy, the lost will be naturally drawn to us. They will see how much we love each other and how much we look out for one another. They will be drawn to our light!
With the Holy Spirit, we can do anything (thank goodness). We just have to listen for the Lord’s prompting and then ask Him to help us. Now is the time to come together as the body of Christ, seek healing and strengthen our bonds with each other. Jesus loves us so much and will help us build up the church when we seek His guidance. Imagine what it would be like if Jesus whispered to you, ‘feed my sheep’. What would you do?
PRAYER: Thank you Jesus for being the ultimate guide and for helping us when the enemy tries to knock us off track. Please show us how to feed Your sheep in the best ways possible. Purify our hearts Lord and make us more like You!
NOTES:
“G1006 – boskō – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (KJV).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 13 Apr, 2026. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g1006/kjv/tr/0-1/.
“G4165 – poimainō – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (KJV).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 13 Apr, 2026. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g4165/kjv/tr/0-1/.
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