God's Simple Precondition for Ministry

John 21:15 (Weymouth) When they had finished breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these others do?" "Yes, Master," was his answer; "you know that you are dear to me." "Then feed my lambs," replied Jesus. 16 Again a second time He asked him, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" "Yes, Master," he said, "you know that you are dear to me." "Then be a shepherd to my sheep," He said. 17 A third time Jesus put the question: "Simon, son of John, am I [truly] dear to you?" It grieved Peter that Jesus asked him the third time, "Am I dear to you?" "Master," he replied, "you know everything, you can see that you are dear to me." "Then feed my much-loved sheep," said Jesus.

We typically focus on the noteworthy point of Jesus repeatedly asking Peter, "Do you (deeply, fervently) love me" and Peter's, "Lord, you know I'm fond of you," responses. However, these vss also clearly underscore God's prerequisite for ministry. They outline what He requires in order to feed His sheep. Essentially Jesus is saying to Peter, 'when you deeply love me, then, feed my sheep. When your vertical relationship (worship) is deeply established, then you are ready for the horizontal expression (ministry).'