“The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.” John 21:17

Simon Peter, one of the 12 disciples and apostles of the church, understood the weight of leadership and the need to press through individual weakness and failure. He also learned his primary responsibility as a leader was to love people no matter the cost. “Do you love me?” Jesus asked three times. “Feed my sheep.”

✓ Leaders must have patience and overwhelming love for those they are called to mentor and equip.

Jesus showed Peter personally how love forgives and redeems even when someone fails. Peter’s denial of Jesus did not stop Jesus from helping him to overcome and move forward in his calling.

✓ The key to Christlike leadership is helping people to overcome their human frailty and to grow spiritually.

This takes Christlike love, patience and a willingness to help those who may fail and even hurt you along the way. Jesus’ love was greater than Peter’s failures.

✓ We see throughout the Bible God uses imperfect people.

Christlike leadership can only succeed when love for people is greater than what you are looking for them to achieve. Jesus was the greatest example of true leadership. He led by example and He led by sacrificial love.

✓ What will be the bedrock in your life, the one unmovable character trait others will know you by?

Jesus changed Simon’s name to Peter. The name Peter, means rock in Greek. The Apostle Paul called him Cephas, meaning the same in Aramaic. To be a Christian leader you must be steadfast and unmovable in your primary calling. That calling is to follow the example of Christ in loving people. A Christian leader should be known for his or her love for people and service to them.

✓ Loving and serving others must be the bedrock of your Christian character.

Your gifting and talents are not your true calling. You may be a great musician, teacher or preacher, but that is not your true calling. “Do you love me?” “Feed my sheep.”

Accolades for your gifting and talents are not what will last eternally. Your love for people will. It is what God esteems. You are called to help people get closer to the Lord. Your gifting and talents are to be a blessing and service to others.

I Corinthians 13:13 Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.

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