Issue 978 – Feed My Sheep – February 8, 2023
There is an account in John’s gospel that is powerfully pregnant with meaning. Jesus has been resurrected, and some time later is meeting His disciples at the Sea of Galilee.
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, 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.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, 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 everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. John 21:15-15
We have likely all read this passage many times and heard sermons on it. Perhaps this familiarity leads us to skim through it and miss its profundity.
I have heard many sermons on Jesus’ restoration of Peter. He confessed his love for Jesus once for every time he denied Jesus.
What strikes me more, though, is Jesus’ commission to Peter. Feed my lambs. Tend my sheep. Love my sheep. Peter (and, by implication, the church, is to care for, build up and equip the saints).
Too often, these goals seem to have been lost in the church world. The church gathering is designed to feed the believers. Evangelism is a necessary part of the service, and we should use every opportunity to include the gospel, but the sheep need to be fed first.
Evangelism and entertainment are nice, but not at the expense of preaching the truth. Topical preaching also has its place, but not at the cost of proclaiming the whole counsel of God.
A 15-minute sermonette doesn’t cut it. Nor does a sermon that uses a single verse to preach on contemporary culture and is simply an assembly of quotations by other people.
Sitting under the Word is worship and deserves our attention.
All disciples need to feed themselves to some degree. We need to read, study and apply the Scriptures regularly. Small community groups can supplement that.
Still, Peter wasn’t commissioned to feed himself but to feed the sheep.
The expounding of the Scriptures must be a central point of our communal worship gatherings. Friendly greeters and ushers are of enormous importance. Good programs and nice facilities are a blessing.
Yet, if the word is not being expounded, if we are not relying on the Word and the Spirit, all those things are essentially worthless.
If we went to a beautiful building to see a play, were welcomed by friendly staff and enjoyed a great meal, but there was no play, we would be outraged. How much more so should we be outraged when the church neglects the ministry of the Word?
Of course, the teaching of the Word must be accompanied by application and judicious use of forgiveness and grace. Still, without the Word we have no reason to come together or meat to be fed with.
Take time in the Word regularly and insist that the leadership of your local congregation makes feeding the sheep a priority.
Be Blessed
Hallelu Yah / Praise God
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)
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All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2023 K.F. “Kevin” Corbin Gleanings From The Word.
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is from the English Standard Version (ESV).
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