FEEDING HIS SHEEP
John 21:6, 9-10
And He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish.
9 Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish which you have just caught."
Reading these verses this morning reminded me of my childhood. Each summer from the time I was 8 until I was 18 I would go to Lake Ellen Bible camp. Generally one or two mornings each year we would go out to a place where a big old army tent was set up. We would have a campfire in the evening and then in the morning the leaders would cook us a breakfast over the campfire.
I remember especially Darwin and Jerry that always seemed to be there with us and they would be selflessly serving us kids. With each breakfast or campfire they would tell a story of Jesus and how He loved us.
These two men loved us as well and with each summer camp they were teaching us to men... but not just ordinary men... but men of God. What an amazing investment they made in boys. Investments that lasted a life time for most of us.
Jesus did the same things with his disciples, right there on the sea shore. This was the third time He had appeared to His disciples after His resurrection and the last time He would eat with them here on earth. Jesus didn't just come out that morning to eat with these men, no, He came to spend some time and use it as a teaching time.
The book of John could have ended nicely where Jesus cooked breakfast for His friends, but Jesus used this time to teach His disciples how they were to carry on without Him. He told Peter three times what he was to do when He would be gone... Jesus told Peter to tend to His flock until He returned.
We carry the same responsibility as Peter did. If we've made a choice to follow Jesus, we are not here to just wait for His return. We are here to bring others into His family and to take care of those that are part of the family. We're to care for Jesus lambs.
Jesus might return for us today, or it may not be in our lifetime. His children long for the day when He returns. But we've got a job to do until He comes for us. We can't just look to the east watching for Him, we need to be taking care of His business by spreading the good news of the Gospel message. There are so many that need Him and so little time.
The times with those men on the shore, in the woods and later on the mountains were very special times... and they were where I learned what it meant to be a man. It took time for them to teach me. We need to have the same care and compassion for those that don't know Jesus. We need to lead them towards Jesus, then we need to help them grow into the men and women God wants them to be. It's what He's called us to do.
John 21:17
He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me?" Peter was hurt 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."
Jesus said, "Feed my sheep".
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