"Embarrassed!"

The young boy replied, "Embarrassed," when asked how he'd have felt standing near the cross when Jesus died. Wow! That's a lot of honesty in one word. It leaves me wondering what I'd have said? Or done? How about you?

Well, the observance of Good Friday's over until next year. However, the three responses from the children at this year's Good Friday children's service continue to draw me to the cross. One replied, "I'm sorry." Another child said,"Thank you." But, until now, I didn't write about the one who answered that he felt, "Embarrassed."

What does it mean to feel embarrassed? Webster's dictionary says that to be embarrassed is to "show a state of self-conscious confusion and distress." Other sources refer to being embarrassed as rooted in guilt, fear, shame, or uncomfortable about something you did or saw happen. So I get why the young boy, thinking about Jesus on the cross, felt embarrassed. And embarrassed for reasons and feelings for which he couldn't choke out one more word. Me, too.

Well, that's how Peter must have felt after denying Jesus three times, falling asleep in the Garden of Gethsemane, and more. Embarrassed! And yet, how did Jesus respond when they met face to face after the resurrection? Well, you can read the story in the Bible in John 21. But here are a couple of teasers. If you like to fish, like Jud did, it's a tale about the ones that didin't get away. And if going out for breakfast is your favorite meal, you'll give this meal more than 5 stars.

Jesus isn't into embarrassing Peter. He's into forgiving and feeding Peter's deepest hungers. And so he asks Peter three times, "Do you love me?" It's a good and important question for Peter to think about and answer. For me and you, too.

Then Jesus gives Peter a mission possible. Jesus charges Peter, to "Feed my sheep." And after Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came, Peter fed sheep, called out false shepherds and showed how much he really did love Jesus, until he died. All for the love of Jesus.

As I go about this day, I pray that throughout the day my ways and words answer, YES!" Yes, I love you Jesus. Help me to love and feed your sheep, not embarrass, shame, divide or scatter them. Especially young lambs.

When in doubt, as to how to feed or tend a lost lamb, there's nothing like sharing a meal. It worked for Peter. Remember Jesus last act with his disciples was not to take them to a lecture hall. He invited them to come for supper. And as one who loves to go out for breakfast, this is one of my favorite Bible verses.

"Jesus said to to them, 'Come and have breakfast." ( John 21:12a)

And as Beth Moore wrote, "We don't have to have matching plates to sit at the same table as long as Christ is seated at the head." (quoted from Maggie Rowe's blog on April 22)

Or inviting us to breakfast on the beach.

Hungry?

Come.

There's always a place for us folks who have many reasons to feel embarrassed about our choices and lack of love for Jesus and his sheep.

But take hope.

Grace always leaves room for surprises to show up.