De Imitatone Christi. Imitating Christ; Who we are determines What we do
John 21:15-19
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. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”
This week, Pastor Daniel reflected on our church and asked: Why do we practice house church ministry? Why do we seek and serve the lost? What is the purpose behind all of this…and is it the right one? How do we know we are on the right path?
He wrestled with these questions and turned to Scripture for guidance. Passages like Isaiah 41:10, Job 21:10, Ruth 1:15–18, and John 3:16 shaped his faith and understanding, yet they did not fully answer his question of purpose. He realized that before discovering his purpose, he first needed to ask:
1. Who am I?
Before becoming a Christian, his goals were centered on finishing school, building a career, and starting a family. After encountering Jesus, those goals seemed less significant, yet the question of purpose remained. He began asking: What do I value? What kind of person does God want me to be?
In today’s passage, Jesus simply commands Peter in verse 19: “Follow me.” This moment is significant. It is their first intimate interaction since Peter’s betrayal, and their last recorded conversation together. Despite Peter’s failure, he repented and was restored. This shows us that Jesus relates to us in the same way: He calls us back and invites us to follow Him. Notably, this is the same command Jesus gave when He first called Peter (Matthew 4:18–22).
2. What does it mean to follow Jesus?
Belief alone is not the entirety of our calling. To “follow” is an action; it means to imitate Christ. Looking at verses 15–17, we see that Jesus calls us to tend His sheep.
This is not merely a task or obligation: it is our purpose. In John 10, Jesus describes what it means to care for His flock: guiding those who do not know God and protecting them from harm.
To do this, we must first cultivate a relationship with Jesus; to know Him, grow in Him, and become like Him. As we grow, we naturally take part in His work, seeking those who do not know Him and leading them to the Father. This is not just something we do, it flows from who we are. Our being shapes our doing.
As we reflect on our church, ANF, and our practice of house church ministry, we must ask: Is this an environment where people who do not know Jesus can truly encounter Him? Pastor Daniel believes it is.
However, he challenges us: if our house church is not a place where the lost can meet Jesus, then we must return to the question: Who am I? What do I value? Do my values align with God’s? Am I truly following Christ and living out my purpose? When others see me, do they see an imitation of Christ? As Christ becomes our identity, our work flows naturally from who we are, our calling becomes clear, and our lives find true fulfillment.
Reflection Questions:
Do I see serving others as a task or as part of who I am?
If someone observed my life, what would they say I live for?
What is one specific step I can take this week to not only follow but also imitate Christ?
