"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." He said to him, "Feed my lambs." He said to him a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was grieved 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." Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go." (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, "Follow me." (John 21:15-19)

Jesus tells Peter that if he loves Him, he will feed His sheep. Not for the sake of being recognized as someone who fought with a sword gallantly, as Peter wished. But instead of using the sword Jesus asks Peter to use his heart: "Tend My sheep." Jesus tells him this because He knows that Peter has a great capacity to love.. he only lacks the direction.

Jesus loved the people and wept for them. "He had compassion on them like sheep without a shepherd." and in return He asks Peter to have the same heart and same attitude. Instead of using the physical force that Peter was used to using, Jesus asks him to use use the tender heart that Jesus knows he has... and through this Peter becomes the "rock" that Jesus told him he was... by loving God's people.

I see so many people today that try to represent Christ by using the sword.. by forcing there will upon others and making people look foolish... but this is not what Jesus asks of Peter... this is not being a shepherd. So many are still trying to dress themselves and walking where they want to go... ...but Jesus in His calm loving voice tells Peter: "when you are old , you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go." Jesus did not want Peter to die like a "warrior" (a death that bring glory to Peter.. not God) ...but like His Master... a humble death on a cross.

so often we try to make ministry about us.. we want people to notice the great things we have done. about what we can accomplish.. about who we can influence, but it should not be this way. This is not the way of the cross. "Love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no man than this that he would lay down his life for his friends (John 15:12-13)." Are we willing to die daily for our friends... are we willing to humbly die? 

i remember a song from long ago.. that has somehow stuck in my head..

"Here am i Lord. Is it i Lord? i have heard You calling in the night. I will go Lord, if You lead me. I will hold Your people in my heart."

Those of you who are one day going to be leaders please understand this. Feed His sheep... and "hold His people in your heart."

let's to be like Jesus... even in the little things... even when nobody else will notice.