This conversation occurred early one morning several days after Jesus walked out of His tomb alive. Early one morning after eating a breakfast of fish miraculously caught by the disciples. Perhaps Jesus asked Peter three times to remind Peter that He knew of the three times Peter had denied even knowing Jesus, in the courtyard of the High Priest, the night before Jesus was crucified.

Or perhaps Jesus just wanted this conversation, this question, to be imprinted indelibly in Peter's memory and ours. I'm sure the request to "feed my sheep" was a call to action for Peter and for us. "If you love me, feed my sheep." Peter sure did! He became a prominent preacher and leader in Jerusalem and Antioch after Christ's resurrection. He authored several of the Epistles/letters in the New Testament and helped to spread the Gospel – the Good News of Jesus – to the world beyond Judaism, to the Gentiles, to us!

And Jesus didn't just forgive Peter for denying him. Jesus restored him.

Jesus is always waiting to restore us too. When we are afraid or deeply suffering, Jesus is there with us, waiting to help. Like Peter, he also asks us to "feed His sheep," to LOVE our neighbors, and to forgive as much as we wish to be forgiven. We are asked to feed the hungry – those hungry for bodily food and those hungry for LOVE – God's LOVE.

Let's remind Him that we LOVE Him by helping with the feeding – offering our time, our resources, and our LOVE generously, sharing our food with the hungry in body and spirit.

Let's demonstrate to Jesus that we truly do LOVE Him and our neighbors. AMEN!

This devotional was written and read by Bernice Sanders

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

You are listening to Grace for All, a daily devotional podcast produced by the people of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee.

This is Scripture Saturday, a time when we pause and reflect on the scriptures we have read throughout the week. If you missed any of our devotionals on these passages, you can find them on our website at 1stChurch.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

Now, we invite you to listen and receive Grace. Welcome and thank you for joining us.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Every time I listen to these verses, I revisit my childhood. Little Golden Books filled my bookshelves. One book, in particular, had a picture of Jesus, surrounded by children: one little boy comfy on his lap with a lamb also being held. As a child, this picture brought comfort and a sense of love and belonging. Perhaps that is why I remember it so clearly. As an adult, it is still moving.

In Biblical days, children held little to no status in the community. They were expected to contribute to the household economy. My understanding is that children were required to complete menial tasks such as agriculture or trades. Others were committed to education with tutors and sent to school. Boys were exposed to academic subjects and girls were taught to run a home. Regardless, they were treated and considered as property. While it may seem somewhat conflicting, children were considered as a "gift from the Lord" and highly valued.

Keeping all this in mind, picture this — a large group of people have gathered to hear Jesus teach. Many parents and children were present. It appears that the mothers deeply desired for Jesus to touch and bless their children.

The disciples were trying to protect Jesus. They didn't want those "pesky" little kids to take his time or energy. In their eyes, the children were no one important, in fact they were the least important. Imagine their shock when Jesus was angry, quite displeased at their attempted dismissal of those children. After all, they had been with him when he dined with tax collectors, sinners and more. Even so, they still didn't catch on that Jesus came to serve and save the humble, the least, the lost and the unwanted.

The children found their way to Jesus. He embraced them, he blessed them, he acknowledged their worth. Their minds were open to him; their hearts were eager to accept his love, his touch, his blessing; they received this gift — not by being worthy or because they earned it. They received his love, embrace and blessing with childlike joy, trust and faith.

We are to come to God and encourage others — even those we don't consider worthy, knowing that in God's eyes every person is valuable. We are all created in God's image and loved unconditionally. We are all God's children. We can become our true selves by listening to God's voice.

Today's a good day to embrace our child-like joy and trust. Today we are invited to run to Jesus with open hearts and simple faith, not to rely on our adult "head knowledge". After all, Jesus told us to let the children come to him, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.

We are invited to encounter his touch, love and blessings today and every day.

Gracious God, we ask that you open our eyes as children today. Filled with wonder and trust we seek your blessing. Guide us to see the children, your children who may seem "less than" ourselves and others and remember that all are valuable in your sight. Allow us to seek your voice and embrace your love and blessings so that we might be, not a hindrance, but a vessel of your love for others.

In the name of your son, Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.

This devotion was written and read by Lisa Blackwood.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.