Each time Peter affirmed his affection for Jesus, Jesus gave Peter an important assignment. First, He said: “Then feed My lambs ” (John 21:15), Then He commanded: “Shepherd My sheep” (John 21:16). And finally, He told Peter: “Feed My sheep” (John 21:17). Some naturally assume that feed my lambs means that Peter was told to feed (or teach Truth to) little children. But because of the way the conversation continued, it more than likely referred to new believers – new lambs in the faith. Since we know that sheep are grown-up lambs, we can readily assume that Jesus was telling Peter to also feed (or teach Truth to) more experienced believers – a reminder that no matter how long we’ve been a follower of Jesus, there will always be more Truth to feed upon. And when Jesus said shepherd My sheep , it may mean to take care of both the new believer and the more experienced believers. But it also may mean to discipline and disciple the grown-up sheep; because if the grown-up sheep are joyfully and obediently doing what the shepherd wants them to do, the little lambs (the new believers) will follow the path of the grown-up sheep (the more mature believers). Peter must have thought to himself, If Jesus is commanding me to feed His lambs, shepherd His sheep, and feed His sheep, isn’t that the work of a shepherd? What? Does that mean I’m a shepherd? In his book, A Million Little Miracles , Mark Batterson made this statement that I want you to sit with for a bit: “Don’t let anyone label you that didn’t make you.” And that includes you – you didn’t make you, so you have no right to label yourself either. Peter went into this conversation with the label “betrayer” or “denier” – and perhaps with some self-labels like “hopeless,” “failure,” “disappointment.” But note that he came out of this conversation with a new label, a label given him by the One who actually created him -- a label that would stick: shepherd. The Lamb of God was entrusting into Peter’s care the lambs and sheep He would soon be leaving behind. Not only did Jesus cover Peter’s shame, He also restored him to a purpose far beyond himself. Let’s listen to Peter’s words as he continues to shepherd us in the 21st century: But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who has called you out of darkness into His wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9 NIV) Chosen. Royal. Holy. Special. Live into the label God has given you, and don’t let anyone else (including yourself) label you differently. By Judy Shrout

“Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You. ” (John 21:15) When Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him, He was using the Greek word for love, agape , asking Peter if he had a totally committed love for Him – the highest kind of love. When Peter answered Jesus, he used a different word for love, phileo , meaning the deep personal affection as for a close friend. Do you think perhaps Peter is remembering the moment when he boasted, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away” (Matthew 26:33) – followed by the moment when he denied Jesus three times? Do you think he has been humbled by those denials and is not about to declare a kind of love he’s not sure he can give? Jesus posed the question a second time, and Peter responded in the same way once again. Jesus asked the question a third time; but this time, He asked Peter if he could at least say he had phileo love for Him – a deep personal affection as for a close friend. Peter was deeply hurt because Jesus’ third question to him was “Are you my friend?” (John 21:17b Phillips) Again, Peter responded with “Yes, Lord; You know that I am Your friend.” At this point, I believe Peter finally gets it. Three times I denied my Lord – three times I did something I thought I’d never do. And now He has given me the opportunity three times to declare my love for Him – He is covering over the shame of my denials – covering that shame three times with His grace. He still loves me! Dear friend, have you ever done something you thought you’d never do? We are all Peter at some point – yet as we come to Jesus in repentance, we too, like Peter, can experience His grace and His love. Be assured that our Lord does not want us parked in the parking lot of shame – He died to cover our sin, our guilt, and our shame. Let’s leave it all at the foot of the cross and quit picking it back up again. Let today be the day you put your full trust in His perfectly perfect love and His completely complete work on the cross – and live in the freedom and joy He intended for you. By Judy Shrout

After breakfast on the beach, we can imagine Jesus making eye contact with Peter and saying, “ We need to talk” – and then Peter thinking to himself, “I knew this was coming- He’s going to tell me I’m not cut out for all this – and for me to go back to what I know -- fishing.” Maybe Jesus then says something like, “Walk with me, Peter ” – or maybe He just moved a little closer to Peter as they sat on the beach so the conversation could be private. Maybe He gently but firmly put His arm around Peter. In reading the Bible, we often misunderstand what’s being said, because we assume a certain tone of voice. You and I both know that tone of voice matters. And it really matters in this conversation between Jesus and Peter – because it greatly impacts our understanding of a loving God. Do you hear Jesus talking with Peter in a harsh and commanding voice, embarrassing him in front of his friends (although Peter had no doubt heaped plenty of shame on himself)? Or do you hear Jesus talking privately, softly, clearly, and lovingly with Peter as He begins the process of restoring Peter to his purpose in God’s Kingdom? Let’s listen in – and imagine Jesus’ loving tone with the friend He loved dearly: “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” (John 21:15) Did you notice that Jesus called his friend Simon – not Peter, not the Rock, the name He had given him earlier (Matthew 16:15-18)? Peter probably wasn’t feeling much like a rock on this day, much less feeling he should be called by that name. Even still, I imagine it hurt. When Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him “more than these,” He could have meant “more than these other followers do” or He could have meant “more than these things” – implying the things of this world – such as fishing and hanging out with the other guys. Either way, Jesus is asking Peter if there is anything in the way of loving Him fully. Before we continue listening in on the conversation, let’s put ourselves in Peter’s sandals and hear the conversation as if we were there instead of Peter. What would your answer be if Jesus asked you if you loved Him more than anything – more than any person, more than your success, more than your fitness, more than any comfort, more than any possession? Ask God to show you where you are focusing your priority love – and then ask Him to help you love Him the most. He is so worth it (Revelation 5:12). By Judy Shrout

One morning, my husband came down the hall with a vaguely familiar aroma wafting in his wake – an aroma that took me back many decades. I asked him, “WHAT are you wearing?” And he told me, “I saw some Old Spice on sale, and I bought a bottle of it – what do you think?” To which I replied, “You smell like my grandfather!” Some smells bring back memories of people or places. And I think that might have happened to Peter on this day that John is recording for us. The header for the beginning portion of John 21 in my Bible is “Breakfast by the Sea” – but I decided to temporarily rename it “The Smell of Burning Coals” – because I imagine that’s one of the first things Peter noticed about this day. Peter and his friends had gone back to fishing, since they did not yet have their commission from Jesus – and Peter might have believed that Jesus no longer had a purpose for him. While they were fishing, they heard a voice calling out from the shore. (It was Jesus, and John was the first to quickly figure that out.) As soon as Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, dove into the sea and swam quickly to the shore – where he saw Jesus cooking fish and bread over a charcoal fire. The smell of those burning coals must surely have been a reminder of the night not that long ago when Peter, warming himself by the fire in the courtyard of the high priest, denied that he knew Jesus – not just once, but three times. He no doubt wished he could stay away from charcoal fires, because they would forever be a reminder of his denial of Jesus.  However, on this day, something was going to change. That same smell would become a new memory – a new reminder – a memory of the time when Jesus would forgive Peter not once, but three times – and restore him to his purpose. I hope you too have a memory of the time when you fully realized that Jesus had forgiven you – completely – not once, but many times over. Cherish that memory and fully embrace the joy of being forgiven – and then let the rest of your life be a big thank you note for His grace. By Judy Shrout

Back when letter-writing by hand was a thing, the letter-writer might finish a letter and then suddenly think of something else that needed to be included – so a P.S. was added – a postscript, which meant “written after what has been written.” And maybe a P.P.S. if there was even more. This may be what happened as John was finishing up his writing about Jesus. In chapter 20, John pretty much wrapped up his amazing gospel account by clearly stating his purpose in writing: that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. (John 20:31). What a perfect ending to The Gospel According to John! But then we have John 21, the P.S. of John’s writing – an important addition that John included because there was something else he knew we needed to know: the reality of the resurrection of Jesus. In this chapter, we find Jesus in a real physical body standing on the shore – not an ethereal spirit or an angelic form floating above humanity. In this chapter, we find Jesus calling out to the fishermen with a real voice – not some booming faceless voice coming from the clouds. A real man with a real voice. In this chapter, we find Jesus using real eyes (not spiritual insight) -- seeing that the fish were on the right side of the boat, not the left side where they had been fishing – and telling them to try fishing on that side. That’s what often happened with fishermen fishing in the black water of night fishing – someone on the shore could often better see where the fish were -- it was just what real fishermen did for each other. In this chapter, we find Jesus preparing a seaside breakfast for His friends – He wasn’t suddenly commanding cooked food to appear – He was actually cooking fish and bread over a charcoal fire, just as anyone else might do. In this chapter, we find Jesus having a real heart-to-heart face-to-face conversation with Peter – and offering what Charles Martin calls “the most beautiful do-over in the history of do-overs.”  As we venture into the depths of this beautiful P.S., join me in thanking God for inspiring the gospel-writer to write just one more chapter – so we can know beautiful do-overs aren’t just for Peter. They’re also for us! By Judy Shrout

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.” (Matthew 5:14-15) One of my favorite shows the past couple of years has been American Idol. It is amazing getting to see talented people with different stories grow into artists and performers throughout the show. This year has been extra special. In Hollywood, one of the most secular parts of the world, God’s name has been glorified through the singers and judges. For Easter, they had a faith themed night where performers sang worship songs and included special guests like Brandon Lake and CeCe Winans. This was powerful watching from home and brought me back to Matthew 5 where Jesus reminds us that we are the light of the world. There are three ways we can do our part in displaying the light of Jesus in our dark world. 1. “A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.” I love Jesus’ imagery here. When you picture a city on a hill, it stands out and people notice it. In the same way we all have unique talents and abilities that allow us to have influence on other people. Jesus calls us not to hide our gifts, but to use them to glorify His name. What an amazing opportunity we have every day to use our platform to share the Good News we just celebrated at Easter. 2. “Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand.” The second part of Jesus’ message is about purpose. The purpose of a lamp is to shine light, not cover it up. This is very convicting to me – convicting me to stay true to my purpose around my friends that are not believers, having the boldness to pray before our meal or invite them to church. But we serve a God so much bigger than ourselves, and He has put us right where we are to look different from our world – to be the light in the darkness. 3. “And it gives light to all who are in the house.” When we use our gifts for God’s purpose, it changes the culture around us. Now this is important: we are not called to save people; it is Jesus who does that, but we are called to live out our faith and share our testimonies. When we live with the light of Christ in us, it impacts those around us, and they can tell our joy is different. Have you ever been around someone that you gravitate toward because they radiate the love of Jesus? Those people in my life are so influential in my walk with Jesus and inspire me to live out my faith on my team and in my sport. My encouragement and my questions for you to reflect upon are: what areas of your life are you hiding the light, and how can God use you in this season to be the light of the world? By C.A. Carter C.A. is the daughter of Jimmy and Carrie Carter – and has just completed her freshman year and first year on the golf team at the University of Kentucky.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. (John 1:1-3) The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. (John 1:1-4) [Jesus said], “I have come that you may have life and have it in abundance. ” (John 10:10) “Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, so that where I am you may be also.” (John 14:1-3) When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished.” Then bowing his head, he gave up his spirit. (John 19:30) Jesus said to her, “Mary.” Turning around, she said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!”—which means “Teacher.” “Don’t cling to me,” Jesus told her, “since I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them that I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” (John 20:16-17) The revelation of Jesus Christ that God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John who testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, whatever he saw… When I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead man. He laid his right hand on me and said, “Don’t be afraid. I am the First and the Last, and the Living One. I was dead, but look—I am alive forever and ever, and I hold the keys of death and Hades.” (Revelation 1:1-2,17-18) When he took the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb... And they sang a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slaughtered, and you purchased people for God by your blood from every tribe and language and people and nation.” (Revelation 5: 8-9) Then I saw heaven opened, and there was a white horse. Its rider is called Faithful and True, and with justice he judges and makes war… He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his name is called the Word of God. (Revelation 19:11-13)  By LaRaine Rice LaRaine serves as the communications coordinator for Orphan Care Alliance. She is married to Jeff and the mother of Christopher and Elizabeth. Her favorite season is spring and the new life it brings.

John had a nickname for himself in the Gospel of John. He called himself “the disciple that Jesus loved” five times in the gospel of John. Perhaps he did so out of humility. Maybe he didn’t want to write in the first person in order to make the account sound more historical. Perhaps after spending time with Jesus, watching Him die, entering the empty tomb and talking with Jesus after the resurrection, there was only one conclusion to be made: Jesus loved John. And John chose to refer to himself in context of his relationship with Jesus. Other people who knew Jesus came to the same conclusion. In John 11:1-3, we read, “Now a man was sick—Lazarus from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. Mary was the one who anointed the Lord with perfume and wiped his feet with her hair, and it was her brother Lazarus who was sick. So, the sisters sent a message to him: “Lord, the one you love is sick.” Mary and Martha recognized that Jesus loved Lazarus and used the same “nickname” for him. Jesus truly loved John and Lazarus. He wept with Mary and Martha because He loved them. Jesus loved His mom, and He loved Judas. He wasn’t a big fan of the Pharisees and Sadducees, but He loved them too. You also are “The One that Jesus Loves.” You might not feel worthy of His love but know this truth: there’s nothing that will stop Him from loving you. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? … For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:35,38-39). Beloved, do you accept His love? Do you truly understand the depth of His love for you? Today, refer to yourself as the “One that Jesus Loves.” For that is who you truly are. By LaRaine Rice LaRaine serves as the communications coordinator for Orphan Care Alliance. She is married to Jeff and the mother of Christopher and Elizabeth. Her favorite season is spring and the new life it brings.

The Gospel of John reveals essential truths about Jesus written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah (John 20: 31). God revealed His name to Moses in Exodus 3:14, God said to Moses, “I AM who I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” Jesus, God in Flesh, revealed more about what it means to be I AM. Jesus told us: “I AM the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst” (John 6:35). “I AM the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (John 8:12). “I AM the door of the sheep. All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture” (John 10:7-9). “I AM the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep… I am the good shepherd; and I know my sheep, and am known by My own” (John 10:11,14). “I AM the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live” (John 11:25). “I AM the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). “I AM the true vine and My Father is the vinedresser… I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:1-5). Jesus also revealed His true identity in the garden: Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I AM” (John 18:4-5). His statement was so powerful that the soldiers fell down. This name for God (“am”) is in the present tense just as the word “is.” This means that God is all of these today. He IS the bread of life. He IS the light of the world. He IS the way, the truth and the life. God is all of these and so much more. Take time now to look back through these statements. Ask God to show you in what ways you need Him today. Are you feeling lost? He IS the Good Shepherd. Use one of the “I AM” verses above as a prayer. Ask God to guide you. By LaRaine Rice LaRaine serves as the communications coordinator for Orphan Care Alliance. She is married to Jeff and the mother of Christopher and Elizabeth. Her favorite season is spring and the new life it brings.