Where the Heart of Jesus Is

What moves the heart of Jesus? How can I express to Jesus that I truly love him? There are many ways to answer this question. The Bible gives us several commands that, if followed, are pleasing to our Lord. However, there is one particular section of Scripture where Jesus is quite explicit in stating what he wants. 

John 21:15-17 NIV

[15] 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.” [16] 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.” [17] 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. 

Very simply put, the heart of Christ is with his lambs and with his sheep. The ‘sheep’ are those who have put their faith in Christ as Lord and Savior, and as a result, have eternal life (Jn. 10:27-28). The ‘lambs’ might refer either to new Christian converts or those young in age. Either way, it is clear that Jesus is referring to those who are a part of the Church. Christ wants his body of believers to be fed and taken care of. 

To feed the sheep means to supply them with the whole truth of God's word. It means to relay to the sheep what God wants to say to them. A faithful shepherd earnestly listens to God's voice, puts effort in order to understand God's word, and aims to communicate that word clearly and thoroughly. 

To take care of the sheep means to befriend them, protect them, and to be interested in their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual welfare. This cannot happen passively. Neither can it happen accidently. It takes a person with an intentional and willing heart to care for Christ's body. It's an active kind of love. 

The Apostle Paul writes: “Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of any of you. For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears. “Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” (Ac. 20:26-32)

Not everybody is called to be a shepherd. Not everyone is called to pastor a flock of Christ's sheep. However, the significance of John 21:15-17 should not be lost on us. Jesus is telling us what he cares about: his Church. Jesus is also telling us what is good for his Church: for them to be fed the truth of his word and to be well loved and cared for. 

As a follower of Jesus, there are some good questions I can begin to ask God: 

How can I bring my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ closer to your word? Do I send them Bible verses? Do I invite them to church? Do I invite them to have a spiritual conversation about Jesus? 

How can I befriend them, protect them, and take interest in their welfare? Do I call them to check in on them? Do I invite them out for a meal? Do I look for ways to serve them? 

God may not have called you to be a pastor, but I'm more than willing to guess he has at least some work for you to do amongst your Christian brothers and sisters. Ask him what that work is and get to it!

All praise, all glory, all honor be to God forever in the Compassionate Name of Jesus of Nazareth! Amen and amen!