Steven A. Bush - January 29, 2023
The Feeding of God's Sheep
Peter denied knowing Jesus three times on the night of our Lord's arrest and trial. Of course among the sins Jesus died for was Peter's. Later, after the resurrection and before His ascension, Jesus meets up with Peter on a Galilean beach. Three times Jesus asks Peter if he loves him. Three times Peter affirms that he does. And three times Jesus instructs Peter to feed His sheep. Peter is not only restored relationally but charged with the care of our Lord's lambs. How goes it from there? Peter becomes both a pillar and a martyr. The Chief Shepherd calls His first under shepherd and then in 1 Peter 5:1-4 we hear this feeder of sheep write to other feeder of sheep: "So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory." (ESV) And how do good sheep respond? Acts 2:42 gives us a clue: "And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers." (ESV) Does that make you hungry?
Scripture References: John 21:15-19, Acts 2:42-47, 1 Peter 5:1-11, John 10:14-16, Hebrews 13:20-21