After all that emotional tête-à-tête; little did Peter know that he could never carry out this unique charge in his own strength, but in the plan of God, the answer, and the required equipment for such a task, laid ahead. ‘Feed my lambs’ – Take care of my sheep – Feed my sheep.’ It was to be a lifelong commitment! It was Peter’s appointment, very personal, which was heard by the other disciples, they must have understood that it was partly the same for them, for it is what ministers of Christ have to do to this very day! Take care of Christ’s flock! A very important appointment. It required, and still does, more than positive thinking, or self-will! Searching questions, going deep into the heart, face to face with Jesus, Peter was aware that He knew what was in his heart and that, after all the down side of these last few days, he never ceased to love Him. The hours following his deep sorrow, when he cried bitter tears, he never expected to see Jesus again, yet He did and with the help of Jesus, he slowly returned to normal, if that’s the right word. But Jesus knew that finally he would end up this great man, the chief apostle, with a very special calling.

What Jesus said to Peter speaks volume, because what He meant is: ‘if you truly love me, you must also love the people that will be under your care’. That is, it! It is in the field of labour, in every day’s dealing with all sorts of people, that your love for me must be real, and this is true for all that are called of the Lord to preach the gospel and teach faithfully the teachings of Jesus Christ to His flock. This is the commission as written by the apostle Matthew: ‘Then Jesus came to them and said: All power and authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’ (Matthew 28:18-20) What an awesome charge! This calling is not a job, it is a unique vocation, a labour of love, and to do it we have the example of the Servant of servants, the Lord of lords and the King of kings Himself! The chief shepherd. Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the Son of the Living God.

The conclusion is found among the last recorded words of the gospel of John. I write it and leave it with you to meditate on it. I do so for those who may not have a Bible, but it will also help everybody else! ‘Peter, I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch your hands and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go. Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then He said to him, ‘Follow me!’ (John 21: 20-22) But it did not deter Peter, but such a statement from the Lord filled him with some questions, what about Him? What will happen to Him? Meaning John, so he got the answer, what will happen to John is my business, said Jesus, you follow me! That is how personal is the relation of every man called of God! It is believed that Peter could have died on a cross, but felt unworthy to die like His Master, and asked to be crucified upside down. This could have happened during the time of Nero, the roman Emperor! As for John we do not know if he died of old age or not. It is believed that He was cast into hot oil, but nothing proves it! But we have no clear proof, John could have passed into eternity of old age, that was left to the Lord Jesus to decide.

Whatever happened on the shore of the Sea of Galilee reveals that Jesus plans the life and the future of each of His disciples. A great part of our Christian experience is the same for all of us, the conversion of a sinner into a child of God, even today, is the result of the same faith as the one preached from the beginning, by Jesus Christ Himself, who, through men born of the Holy Spirit, continues to acts in the heart of believers, till they reach perfection!