Daily Devotions
John
John 21:1- 25 "LESSONS ON LEADERSHIP"
Day 361 – John 21
LESSONS ON LEADERSHIP
Jesus had chosen Peter to be the leader of the band of Disciples. Peter had much to learn about leadership. One of the lessons that he had to learn was that he should never make wrong and unnecessary comparisons with the people he is supposed to lead.
Each Disciple had his strengths and weaknesses. No one knows just how one would fare when undergoing a trial. Each person tends to feel stronger than another individual. A good and true leader must not feel that he needs to say that he was stronger than the next person.
This attitude, this spirit, if not checked could lead to serious relationship difficulties with each other! Those who fall behind could well feel that he is just not cut out to succeed! The leader’s role is to support all.
The leader must be aware that he can falter and fail as well. The less he has spoken of his own strength, the fewer problems there would be. The more he lifts himself up, the more repercussions there would be too! Peter had to learn all these lessons the hard way! But learn them he must, even though the pathway was so humbling!
Jesus knowing that Peter had learned his lesson replied.
“Feed My lambs.”
John 21:15c
The Lord had not given up on him, after all! He had accepted the reply that Peter gave! But wait, what did Jesus mean when He said, “Feed My Lambs”?
THE VAST MINISTRY OF JESUS
The ministry of Jesus had been so vast! Peter knew that even if all the Disciples were to combine their strength, talents and gifts, they would still not be able to match Jesus in the way He ministered! His ministry was truly unique.
The Disciples knew now that the Lord had been preparing them for eventual take over! They would attempt to do most of the things that He did. However, it would take all of them to combine their efforts to be able to serve meaningfully and fruitfully!
“Feed My lambs”! Peter’s ears must have pricked up when he heard these words! This too was part of the restoration process! Jesus had to engage Peter much more. Mere acceptance wasn’t Peter’s style. He had to be intrigued. He had to be involved. He had to be engaged thoroughly, till his heart, mind and spirit were involved.
How should Jesus be understood? What or who are the “lambs”? Could they be a reference to children? But Jesus did not have a vast ministry with children when He was on earth! Peter could recall an incident when he and his fellow Disciples tried to forbid parents from bringing their children to Jesus.
“Then little children were brought to Him
that He might put His hands on them and
pray, but the disciples rebuked them. But
Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to
Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is
the kingdom of heaven.’ And He laid His
hands on them and departed from there.”
Matthew 19:13-15
Jesus had so many ministries that He was giving away to each of the Disciples. There was the ministry of preaching, teaching etc. But a ministry with “lambs”? What could this word mean? Could it be a reference to “little children”?
What did Peter know about little children anyway? Why was Jesus entrusting this ministry to Peter? It was a humbling experience! Would Peter be prepared to accept the Lordship of Jesus with reference to ministry? Would he be willing to do anything for this Person he owned as Lord?
A POWERFUL TWO-PRONGED MINISTRY
There are many ways to analyse the ministry Jesus had! We could describe the things He did. And we would say that He was actively engaged in preaching, teaching and healing.
However, if we were to look at His ministry from another perspective, we could appreciate it from another totally different perspective. We could put it this way:-
1. A Ministry with reference to the Present
Jesus had a powerful ministry with reference to the present … His present! There were many who were sick who needed to be healed. There were false teachings to combat. There were demonized people to be restored whole. All these things were valid and important. But they would be ministries that had pertinence only to the moment at hand!
2. A Ministry with reference to the Future
Jesus had another ministry! That may not seem to be obvious at first glance. But He really did have a ministry with reference to the future. His training of the Disciples was a ministry with reference to the future. The Disciples were the future! They would be the ones who would take over where Jesus left off.
It was important that the Disciples understood this special aspect of ministry! No matter how important the present ministry was, there must be time set aside to minister with reference to the future. And Children were the future!
A CHALLENGE TO DISCOVER AND DEVELOP NEW MINISTRIES
Jesus was not demeaning Peter at all. He was not confining him to minister only to children! He was lifting Peter’s thoughts to an even higher level! A good leader must always have one eye fixed on the future.
And what had love for Jesus got to do with anything? Much everyway! It would take a genuine and deep love for Jesus to attempt what was being entrusted! To minister for Jesus without love would be impossible. The Disciples did not show that they had a lot of love when they tried to turn away the little children. Did Peter say that he loved Jesus? Would he be able to love the little children, the little lambs of Jesus – for His sake? Peter would have to swallow very hard if he were to take up this challenge!