2026 Pentecost Devotions I
Monday, June 29
Festival of Sts. Peter and Paul, Apostles
John 21:15-19
15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 A second time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.” 19 (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, “Follow me.”
“… “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” …”
Typically, when I’m asked this question these days, my affirmative answer is usually followed with a request. “Would you please load the dishwasher?” Of course, because of our mutual love for one another, I know the question about love is more of a joke than a real inquiry. Such humor makes relationships come alive.
Jesus asks Peter three times if Peter loves the Lord. Three times Peter answers with the affirmative. Then Jesus gives a directive to “feed, tend, and feed again his sheep.” While the intent is less humorous than our household banter, the meaning is remarkably clear. Jesus is reminding Peter of Peter’s love for his Lord so that, as Peter assumes leadership among the twelve, he knows and remembers that the basis of true leadership is Love of the Lord.
Too often, leaders in churches and the community forget this precept. Leadership of others begins with love – love of the other rooted in love for the Lord. Apart from such love, leaders become tyrants, dictators, and abusive. Only when love is the basis does true leadership happen.
In this brief passage, Jesus teaches Peter and the rest of us that true leaders are those who love not only those whom they are called to lead but that the foundation of that love is first and foremost love of God.
Prayer: Lord, as you called Peter to lead in love, so teach us the same. Help me to remember that true leadership begins and ends with love of You.