This weekend the family had a birthday party for my 6-year-old grandson. The location of the party was at the recreation center with lots of balls for the kids to play with. I noticed that almost all the kids were interested in securing a ball for themselves and actively. However, there was one young man that just stood around, not fitting into all the activities. He seemed to be overlooked by the rest of the partygoers. No one invited him to join them in their activities. How many times have we seen this play out in different environments? The one who eats alone in the cafeteria, the one who sits by themselves in a busy park, or the one who is all alone at church. As believers, we have a responsibility to see the needs of others.
John 21:15-17 (ESV)
15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”
16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”
17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.