Love motivates us to action, so the question becomes:  Do we love others as we should.  If we say that we DO LOVE OTHERS as we should, then the next question becomes:

How do we SHOW others that we have LOVE in our hearts for them?

The apostles John and Peter shared time with Jesus during His earthly ministry, and they were present (along with the other disciples) during the last days leading to Jesus’ crucifixion on the cross.  On one particular morning, they shared a conversation right after breakfast, and this discourse taught them about the LOVE they should SHOW to the people who surrounded them in their daily lives.

Jesus began the conversation with a question directed toward His servant Simon Peter.

Before Simon Peter met Jesus, he led an ordinary life, one filled with tending fishing nets, doing back-breaking work, and relying daily on the fish from the sea to provide for his family’s daily needs.

Then, one late afternoon after a failed attempt, a day when his nets had remained empty, Simon Peter met Jesus & his pre-conceived, pre-planned life-direction changed.

Yes, Simon Peter became a “fisher of men,” but also true is that he remained trapped inside his sinful human nature.  So, he failed (at times) during his walk with Christ Jesus.

• Peter did in fact lay down his fishing nets and follow Jesus.
• Then one night, Peter did in fact step in faith on the water when Jesus commanded him to step out of his boat.
• Peter was present when Jesus went into the garden to pray. &
• Peter did fall asleep when Jesus told him to watch and pray.
• Peter was present that morning after breakfast when Jesus taught about how to love. &
• Peter did deny he knew Jesus three times during the wee hours before Jesus’ crucifixion.

In remembering all of these life-events, we can also remember that Scripture teaches us—

Peter served the Lord & Peter failed the Lord.

Thus, we are reminded how, Even When We Fail to serve & love as Jesus commanded us—

Don’t Stop LOVING Others in Jesus’ Name.

• CONTINUE to LOVE in JESUS’ NAME.  “Tend My lambs.”
• CONTINUE to LOVE in JESUS’ NAME.  “Shepherd My sheep.”
• CONTINUE to LOVE in JESUS’ NAME.  “Tend My sheep.”

• We must be willing to answer God’s call and follow Jesus.  In doing so, we will face opportunities to step out of our comfort zone and take on new roles for kingdom work.  As we do, we will be energized with excitement as we are prompted by the power of the Holy Spirit.  The sheep Simon Peter was to tend & shepherd belonged to God.
• The people we are to love and serve belong to God.

Therefore—

• When we place others’ needs before our own, then we are tending the lambs.
• When we follow God’s teachings more than the world’s teachings, then we are tending the lambs.
• When we boldly share Jesus with others, then we are tending the lambs.
• When we carve out time in our daily lives to study God’s Word, then we are being led by the Good Shepherd, and in turn, we can tend to the lambs of God.
• When we pray for others, then we are tending to the lambs that the Father has given to us.

True, like Simon Peter, we may “drop the ball” at times.

Yes, like the apostle Peter, we may fail, but even then (when we fail) CONTINUE to LOVE others—in JESUS’ NAME.