So 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, “Tend My lambs.” He said to him again 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, “Shepherd My sheep.” 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 all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Tend My sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go.

“Now this He said, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me!” Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them; the one who also had leaned back on His bosom at the supper and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?”

So Peter seeing him said to Jesus, “Lord, and what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!” (John 21:15-22 NASB)

What is a Calling?

The average Christian today speaks often about “calling”. Whether it is a calling to a particular vocation, a direction in a major life decision, or as a basis for specific daily choices, it’s a part of our vocabulary as Christians. Sometimes we blur the lines between calling and preference or opinion. But we generally affirm that our God is a God who is not only aware of us and our lives, but is also active in shaping the way our lives look. We assume that when we justify or define our choices by identifying a call from God that others in our faith communities will accept that rationale without much hesitation or analysis. God calls his people.

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; (John 10:27 NASB)

But anyone who has ever stepped out in a faith journey of obedience knows what Peter was feeling in the passage from John 21. We often times focus primarily on the initial decision to follow the call. Peter was bold. Peter rarely hesitated. But choosing to answer the call is not a one-time decision. The story of Israel is a story of a people who said yes to the call at first, but when the time came to continue saying yes, they failed in so many ways.

When Jesus was explaining to Peter the cost of answering the call, Peter’s focus shifted elsewhere. And not just anywhere else. Peter’s attention went squarely on John, Jesus’ favorite. What was John’s faith going to cost John? Peter wanted to make sure that following God’s call was a fair endeavor. It might make one think of the parable of the vineyard workers in Matthew 20. Jesus reminds Peter the same thing the owner of the vineyard reminds the workers: “I called you, and it was your decision to respond.”

Jesus calls many people in the various texts of the Gospels. And that calling always comes with the same cost. Dietrich Bonhoeffer states it clearly, “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.” This death is a death of the selfish, prideful, sinful self that opposes God’s plan of redemption and reconciliation. That self hears the shepherd’s voice but will not follow. Pride and a need to control prevent one from following. They cause one to lead. As if the Shepherd cannot lead his sheep. That egotistical self believes that he can be trusted to follow the Shepherd, but that other sheep must be given extra attention by me in order to properly answer the call.

Peter was given the great responsibility to care for the Shepherd’s sheep, but he was not focused on this. Peter did just hear how his life would come to a painful end so maybe Jesus can cut him some slack.

Nope.

Jesus made it clear. You. Follow. Me. This isn’t about comparing calls or determining who is getting more of the Shepherd’s favor. This is not a cost/benefit analysis.

Has God called you?

Are you going to be faithful to the call?

Or will a sense of self get in the way? It is a common temptation when things are not going someone’s way for them to start comparing their situation to the perceived situation of others. Jesus had a plan for John that was different than the plans for Peter.

Can we trust God to call people according to God’s plans? Or do we have to make sure that someone else’s calling is not any better or different than ours. Because that might not be fair to our prideful self. That self is not patient or kind. It is jealous. It does brag and is arrogant. It acts unbecomingly. It definitely seeks its own and is provoked. It takes account of wrongs suffered. It is contrary to the kingdom of God. Jesus said so himself.

Paul also dealt with believers that had difficulty putting that old self to death.

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues.

But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ.

For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. And if the ear says, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be?

But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. If they were all one member, where would the body be? But now there are many members, but one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. (1 Corinthians 12:4-21, 25, 26 NASB)

Paul is dealing with that same prideful self that Jesus encountered in Peter. But unlike Jesus who appealed to Peter’s love and devotion as a follower, Paul appeals to his audience’s sense of community and commitment to each other as members of the Body of Christ. There is only one body, but it is made up of many members with unique specific gifts. The members have different ministries with needs specific to their situation.

Some may be Christians who have matured in their faith over a long period of time. Others may be new Christians who require much more care and attention on a regular basis. Some are leaders and some are just taking first steps in faith. Different members but one body. Some may worship with deeply rooted traditions and liturgy. Others may find a contemporary environment to be the most sincere form of worship. Paul says there are different kinds of ministries, but one lord.

We’re all very comfortable with being grouped with like-minded people who may share similar life experiences or circumstances. Many churches find themselves with a “young couples group” or a “senior group.” And that type of group has benefits. But if everyone we engage spiritually is an ear, then where is the seeing? At some point we Christians must quit defining ourselves against each other. There are so many things to debate; we can draw lines in the sand on so many topics. We can create rankings for people and ministries. We can get caught up in the worldly aspect of ministry.

We have our differences. Even in a church of 20 people you will see a variety of people. Is that bad? Does that mean that the church isn’t a church? That the body isn’t the body because it has many parts?

That sounds ridiculous because a body is only a body when it’s more than one part or member. It should also sound equally ridiculous that Christians cannot be in community with other Christians who worship and minister differently. Should I be jealous because I’m a foot and the eyes get a lot of attention? I’ve been a Christian for a long time. Should I be upset that a newer Christian requires more personal attention and energy from church leaders than I do? Or jealous of a newer ministry that is displayed prominently in front of the congregation in an effort to gain support and celebrate those who have accepted a call to minister in a different way as part of the body?

Do we seek attention and approval of people or do we want to be obedient in our service to our Lord who has called us? Are we competing with each other for limited resources or are we building each other up and supporting each other using the living water which has a well spring from which God gives freely?

There might be ministries at my church that I will never ever be directly involved in. I may not even understand completely what occurs in that ministry. They may take more time and resources than what I’m what I’m involved in does. They may emphasize a part of church that I’m not a part of. So I’m faced with the choice. I can devalue that ministry and those involved because its serves different people, happens in a different location, is different than how I’m used to seeing it done, or doesn’t involve me.

Or I can be one of the sheep who hears my Shepherd’s voice and answers the calling placed upon me. And in turn trust that God is calling, guiding, and using others for the work of his kingdom just as I hope He does me.

The Bible is extremely clear on how we are to treat each other and live in community in light of the grace and forgiveness which was given to us while we were yet sinners. The following list is a top result when I performed a Google search for “build up one another bible verses.” It took 15 seconds and I literally had a definite indication that the Bible speaks clearly about these things. 

1 John 3:16-18

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.

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1 Thessalonians 5:11

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

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Romans 12:13

Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

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Acts 15:32

Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers.

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Hebrews 10:25

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

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Leviticus 25:35

” ‘If one of your countrymen becomes poor and is unable to support himself among you, help him as you would an alien or a temporary resident, so he can continue to live among you.

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Romans 12:10

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.

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Ephesians 4:32

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

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Romans 15:5

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus,

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Ephesians 4:29

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

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Deuteronomy 15:10

Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.

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1 Timothy 6:18

Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.

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1 Chronicles 29:13-14

Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.

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Psalm 37:21

The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously;

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Romans 15:7

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

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Hebrews 6:10

God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.

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Psalm 37:25-26

I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed.

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2 Corinthians 9:10-12

Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God

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1 Peter 3:8

Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.

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Psalm 112:5

Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice.

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Luke 6:38

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

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Proverbs 22:9

A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.

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Ephesians 4:2

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

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Acts 10:1-2

At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.

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Romans 12:8

If it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

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1 Thessalonians 4:18

Therefore encourage each other with these words.

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Romans 12:16

Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

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2 Corinthians 9:6

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.

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Hebrews 10:24

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.

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2 Corinthians 9:13

Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.

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Matthew 25:35-40

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’

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1 John 4:7

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.

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We Christians need to learn that the things that make us different are not of greater significance than the One that has brought us together. We are the ones who have been called out. We have been called together for the sake of each other. We must remember that faith isn’t about “me.” It is about God and me and how that relationship impacts how I relate to others. Despite popular opinion, being part of the Body is not about what I get. It is about giving ourselves to others as Christ did. And it is still Christ’s body and Christ is still Lord.

 May we hear his voice and not our own. May we love Jesus who is the Way rather than demand our own way. Let us celebrate and support those who embrace their calls as they respond in faith. Let us remember that God has called us and God doesn’t need our help to refine or fix the calls he has placed upon others. Let us not be afraid, intimidated, or discouraged when we see that the body does have many members. Let us love and trust God. And follow God.

“But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired.”

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