Circling toward food justice

Sermon Title:

"Do You Love Me? Feed My Sheep."

Scripture Readings:

John 21:1–25 Revelation 5:11–14

[Introduction: The Charcoal Fire of Grace]

It’s hard to imagine a more layered scene than the one we find at the end of John’s Gospel.

The disciples, back on the water, unsure of what comes next. The world has changed—Jesus has risen from the dead. And yet here they are, fishing again, perhaps trying to find some rhythm after the upheaval of the cross and the empty tomb.

And then, in the early light of morning, Jesus stands on the shore. A charcoal fire crackles behind Him. He’s cooking breakfast.

But this is more than just a reunion. This is resurrection restoration. This is Jesus saying: “The work isn’t finished. The table is still open. And the call still stands.”

[1. Miraculous Abundance Calls Us – John 21:1–11]

When the disciples follow Jesus' command to cast their net on the other side, they haul in a catch too large to manage—153 fish!

It’s not just a miracle of abundance. It’s a sign.

God’s provision is more than enough—not so we can hoard, but so we can share. This is a deeply theological act: Jesus provides, and the disciples participate.

This is a challenge to us: Are we using our nets for ourselves, or are we feeding the world with what Christ provides?

In a world where 1 in 8 peoplegoes to bed hungry, the miracle isn't just that God provides—it's that we are invited to share in that provision. If we are blessed with full nets, then those blessings come with a calling.

[2. Shared Meals Unite Us – John 21:12–14]

Jesus says: “Come and have breakfast.”

How simple. How human. And how divine.

In the Gospels, meals are never just about food—they’re about community. At this breakfast on the beach, Jesus brings His disciples back together. They eat. They remember. They heal.

Meals are sacred spaces. And Jesus shows us that feeding people isn’t just about calories—it’s about communion.

Today, this holy breakfast compels us: Who is hungry in our neighborhoods? Who needs to know they belong?Every food pantry, every community dinner, every time we choose to eat simply so others might simply eat—we are continuing this meal on the shore.

[3. Commission to Care – John 21:15–19]

Then comes the heart of it all.

Jesus turns to Peter—yes, thatPeter, the one who denied Him three times—and says: “Do you love me?”

Peter says yes.

And Jesus replies: “Feed my lambs. Tend my sheep. Feed my sheep.”

This is what love for Jesus looks like: not just singing praises but feeding bodies.

Worship that doesn't lead to justice is not the kind of worship Jesus is after. True discipleship is always hands-on, always relational, always compassionate.

And here's the hard truth: this kind of love costs us. Jesus tells Peter it will take him where he doesn’t want to go. Caring is costly. But so is resurrection love.

[4. Unique Calls Empower Us – John 21:20–25]

Peter looks at John and basically asks, “Well, what about him?” And Jesus gently says, “What is that to you? You follow me.”

We each have our calling. Some of us serve food. Some raise money. Some organize. Some advocate. Some grow vegetables. Some offer prayers.

But all of us are called. And none of us are excused.

The hunger crisis needs every gift in this room.

[Revelation: Where This All Leads – Revelation 5:11–14]

And then we glimpse the end of the story. Revelation 5 gives us heaven’s perspective.

All creation is gathered around the throne saying:

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”

Why is Jesus worthy? Because He gave everything.

Because He laid down His life for the hungry, the forgotten, the broken.

And when we feed the hungry, when we tend to others, we join that chorus. We make heaven touch earth. We proclaim with our hands what we believe in our hearts.

[Conclusion: From the Shore to the World]

Church, Jesus still stands on the shore. The fire still burns. The table is still open.

And the question He asked Peter, He now asks us:

“Do you love me?”

If the answer is yes, then feed my sheep.

Not just with words, not just with prayers, but with food, justice, and presence.

This is our witness. This is our worship. This is our calling.

Let’s go feed His sheep.

Amen.

Children’s Message: “Breakfast with Jesus”

(Bring a small basket with bread or crackers and a toy fish or a picture of breakfast to help set the scene.)

Good morning, friends!

I want you to imagine something with me. Imagine that it’s early in the morning, and you’ve been out all night fishing with your friends. You’re tired, and your tummy is really hungry. But guess what happens?

You look up and see someone standing on the beach. It's Jesus! He calls out to you and your friends, “Throw your net on the other side of the boat!”

You try it, even though you’re not sure it’ll work. And all of a sudden—WOW!—your net is filled with more fish than you can count!

When you get to shore, Jesus has a fire going, and He says something amazing: “Come and have breakfast.”

(Hold up the basket or picture.) Jesus made breakfast for His friends. He gave them food because He loved them and wanted to care for them.

And after they ate, Jesus looked at one of His friends, Peter, and asked him three times: “Do you love me?” And each time Peter said yes, Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.”

Now, do you think Jesus meant real sheep like on a farm? (Let the kids answer—“No!”) That’s right! Jesus meant people. He was saying, “If you love me, then take care of others.”

So what can we do to “feed Jesus’ sheep”?

We can:

Help our parents cook dinner or pack a lunch for someone in need.

Bring in food for the church pantry.

Share our snacks with a friend who forgot theirs.

Even pray for kids who don’t have enough to eat.

When we share food, or help others have enough, we’re doing something very special. We’re having breakfast with Jesus. We’re loving like He loves.

So remember this: Jesus feeds us, and then sends us out to feed others—with food, with kindness, and with love.

Let’s pray together:

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, Thank you for feeding us with Your love. Help us to be kind and share with others, especially those who are hungry. When we help, we are showing that we love You. Amen.

Pastoral Prayer

Gracious and risen Lord,

You meet us in the early morning light, on the shores of our ordinary lives, with hands still bearing the marks of sacrifice and a heart that never stops calling us by name.

We praise You, O Christ, for being the God who cooks breakfast— who nourishes us with mercy, feeds us with grace, and invites us to the table no matter where we’ve been.

You ask us today, as You asked Peter: “Do you love me?” And we want to say yes, Lord… but we confess that sometimes our love is tired, our courage is small, and our nets feel empty.

Still, You call us. Still, You entrust us.

So teach us again what it means to feed Your sheep. Move us beyond good intentions toward real compassion. Make us bold in caring for the hungry, the forgotten, the overlooked. Help us see each act of service, each shared meal, as an offering of worship rising like incense to Your throne.

We pray today for those who are physically hungry— children whose bellies ache, families choosing between food and rent, neighbors who walk unseen among us, ashamed to ask for help.

And we pray for those who are spiritually hungry— longing for love, aching for forgiveness, unsure if grace can reach them. Let Your Church be a place where all are fed.

We lift up those among us who are grieving, those recovering from illness, and those quietly carrying burdens too heavy to name. Let them find comfort at Your fire and strength from Your Word.

And finally, God of glory, give us eyes to see the Lamb who was slain, standing now in victory, surrounded by saints and angels. Let the chorus of “Worthy is the Lamb!” rise not just from heaven, but from the way we live on earth— with justice, mercy, and love in Your name.

We pray all these things through Jesus Christ, our Risen Savior, Shepherd, and Bread of Life.

Amen.

Benediction

Go now in peace, with the echo of Jesus’ question still ringing in your heart: “Do you love me?”

Then go— feed His sheep, tend His lambs, care for the hungry, the broken, the forgotten, and remember that every act of love is a hymn of praise to the Risen Lamb.

May the grace of Christ who cooks breakfast for tired disciples, the love of God who provides more than enough, and the power of the Holy Spirit who sends you into the world go with you now and forevermore.

Amen.