Take Care of my Sheep

Debt can be a strong stigma in our society, a sign of failure. Those living with financial worries feel that they cannot keep up with those around them, to have the latest phone or car or to provide their children with school equipment or holidays like their peers. It can also feel like a failure to be on Universal Credit, a failure to be a productive member of society for whatever reason. Many living with debt hide this from themselves and from their families, living in denial that there is a problem and trying to carry on as normal, just making the situation worse. Reaching out for help and admitting that there is a problem can be a huge step.

After Jesus was arrested, Peter was scared and felt he needed to fit in with the people around him, distancing himself from the ones he loved.

Matthew 26: 69 - 75 (NIV)

69 Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said.

70 But he denied it before them all. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.

71 Then he went out to the gateway, where another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, “This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.”

72 He denied it again, with an oath: “I don’t know the man!”

73 After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away.”

74 Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!”

Immediately a rooster crowed. 75 Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.

The more that Peter denies Jesus, the more he perpetuates the situation and the more deeply he regrets his actions. But Jesus' love means that we don't need to be afraid of failure, because we have His unlimited love and forgiveness.

John 21: 15 - 17

15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

17 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.

Peter is restored and forgiven by Jesus - He denied Jesus three times and Jesus asked 'Do you love me' three times. He knew Peter would deny Him but forgave Him and entrusted the care of His people to him. In the same way, He loves us and trusts us to do His work, and however many times we fail or deny Him, He will love and forgive us.

For our CAP clients struggling with the stigma and guilt of debt, the massage of love that the team bring into their homes can be a huge support, not just lifting the burden of debt but helping to rebuild trust and relationships and to bring a new dawn with the knowledge of the love and support of God for all their life to come.

Prayer

Please pray for all those in our community struggling with the stigma of debt or burdened by financial worry. Pray that they would have the strength to reach out and ask for help. Pray for the Ely and District CAP team and for all the other organisations available that can help, and for the work to raise awareness of the help that Ely and District CAP can bring.

Pray for our debt coaches John, Pat and Kim and for our visit team - for the love and support that they bring into the homes of all our clients to support the journey out of debt and life going onwards.