Reading the post resurrection appearances of Jesus  can leave many dumbfounded.   Often the apostles react to Jesus as if he were a huge white elephant in the room.   They seem to tiptoe around Jesus, and never really address what their feeling.

 We can easily pass this off as awkwardness because they have never actually experienced  anyone who died and  returned to life. Definitely a plausible conclusion to this difficult  situation.

 However on a closer examination, we can see their behavior has more to do with their shameful feelings for deserting Jesus  from  his capture to his last few hours of life. They betrayed him and now they feel the hurtful consequences of their mistake. 

 Hoping for the right moment to explain their lack of courage, they choose instead quick exits like going fishing.  Jesus tries to mend  the situation by cooking breakfast and inviting them to join him. Hoping that this show of hospitality would be an obvious sign of Jesus’ willingness to move on from this awkward moment in their relationship and begin again with the next present moment.

 Jesus takes Peter aside, wanting to free him from his blanket of guilt. He asks Peter three times this sincere Jesus question, “Do you love me?” Peter replied quickly, “Yes lord you know that I love you.”  Jesus asks again, “Do you love me more than these others?” Peter responds, “Of course Lord you know this already.”

 To which Jesus’ only response is, “Feed my sheep.” In other words, follow me and tend my flock. To which Peter readily agrees. And that seems to be enough for Peter to feel better.

 What is Jesus teaching his Apostles and all his future followers?

·      Jesus is showing his hurting apostles, and everyone else how to help others heal.

·      Jesus is here to save not condemn.

·      Jesus prefers forgiving  rather than punishing.

·      Jesus  doesn’t measure our whole life  by life’s  last mistake.

·      Fixing the past is better done in  the time before us , rather than in the time spent. 

·       Jesus wants his Apostles to keep his sheep from perishing.

 In this way Peter, and every follower will feed Jesus’ lambs; tend his sheep and show care for the entire flock.