JOHN 21:15-17

THURSDAY, JULY 26, 2007

A LESSON ON HOW TO FEED SHEEP

15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, 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 again a second time, "Simon, son of Jonah, 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 Jonah, 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 all things; You know that I love You." Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep. ST. JOHN 21:15-17 (NKJV)

From time to time in these Devotions, I mention that as I read a passage again, a thought enters my mind that I had never considered before. I tell you this to emphasize the fact that we can never read the Bible too much as there is always something new to learn. I find this particularly true in some of the passages that have been my favorites over the years and that I have used as a sermon text on numerous occasions.

Such is the case in the devotion for today. Often this text is used as the words "Feed My Sheep" lend a basis for seeking Sunday School Teachers or as an emphasis of why the church should offer more and more Christian Education opportunities for adults and youth.

The new question that came to my mind was: "What was Peter supposed to do in response to Jesus telling him three times to Feed His Sheep?" At first I could not see the significance of the command. This was because I was thinking in terms of Sheep Feeding today. As the years have gone by, sheep and other livestock have disappeared from the family farm. Where farmers still raise sheep or on some of the massive sheep farms, the sheep are often in fenced pastures or enclosed in a barn. If there is not enough pasture, the farmer (shepherd) brings the food to the sheep. Thus, by our thinking today, it has always been a natural conclusion for me that Feeding God’s Sheep means taking the food of the Word of God to them.

However, this would not have been the case when Jesus spoke these words. The sheep were not fenced in, they were not in buildings, there was not a feed mill that produced feed specifically blended for sheep. There were only the miles and miles of hillsides, valleys, and plains that produced the grasses for the sheep to eat. The sheep could not stay in one place all of the time as soon the grass would all be eaten and there would be no more until it grew again. There was no food to take to the sheep. The sheep had to be led to new green pastures.

This makes sense. In the 23rd Psalm - He leadeth me into green pastures. In the New Testament, "My sheep hear my voice and they follow me." There are other similar quotes. Now, as I read this text I come to the understanding that the importance is not in taking the food to the sheep but leading them to where it is.

Leading people to Church and Sunday School.

Leading people to pray, to study the Bible.

Leading people to live a Christian Life.

Leading by being an example that people want to follow.

Leading because you know that if others follow you to God and His Love, it will be the most wonderful thing that will happen to them.

We must remember that if we are to Feed His Sheep, we must first be fed by Him.

WE PRAY these words so that we might lead others.

Lead me gently home, Father,
Lead me gently home,
In life’s darkest hours, Father,
When life’s troubles come;
Keep my feet from wand’ring,
Lest from Thee I roam,
Lest I fall upon the wayside,
Lead me gently home. AMEN

"LEAD ME GENTLY HOME, FATHER" from cyberhymnal.org

A SUGGESTION FOR LIVING THE DEVOTION

As you hold out one hand for God to take as He leads you safely home, be sure to extend the other hand backwards so another person can grab hold and follow as you lead.