A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time.
He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.”  (John 21:17)

Restore.  I love the visual this word gives: Restoration is the act of returning something to a former owner, place, or condition.  How perfect is the idea of restoration when we think about our money story and God’s intention for us in faithful stewardship.

Restore.  At the end of John’s gospel, after Jesus death, we find the disciples grieving, discombobulated, confused; as their entire lives had been turned upside down. What they had learned to be true, was no longer. And so they went to do the thing they knew: they tried to fish. But it wasn’t working. A man on the shoreline, Jesus – who is not known to them at this time, tells them to put the nets on the other side. And, oh, the catch they get! An abundance of fish!  But the abundance of fish is not the point. We read further…Jesus moves into providing instruction that is embodied, tactile, and physical. He gives a specific, clear instruction: “Feed my sheep.”

Restore.  Jesus’ instructions were to look at things through new lenses.  He restored Peter’s place as disciple.  He restored the new ideas he had taught them and the new Kindom he brought about.  The truth is the old way does not work…then and now!  There needs to be restoration in how we think about the Kindom and how we fit into it.

The old money stories we have told ourselves do not work. They give us a foundation, but that foundation must be restored; it must be made new through God’s economy. We have two choices: live in the old stories or make new ones. Find ourselves in fear of the money stories that have taken hold of our lives or transform them to create them into a new economy with God at the center.  We have guidance: let go of the ways we have known, and heed Jesus words “feed the sheep.”

Over the past few weeks we have practiced remembering, releasing, and reimagining, this week we conclude our series by focusing on restoration. Ultimately, practicing faithful stewardship heals us as individuals and helps us restore right relationship with God and one another.

This Sunday we will dedicate our Pledges for 2026.  You should have received a pledge letter and card in the mail – if not there is a card linked in the Weekly.  I invite you to take some time this week to consider your Money story and how God is inviting into Our Money story. 

Blessings,

Pastor Jenni

 “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
Peter answered, “Master, you know everything there is to know.
You’ve got to know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.”