Love Jesus? Feed His Sheep.

March 1, 2010

I remember hearing it said before that the love of Christ is unconditional. I know, and hope this to be true but with the dialogue between Peter and Jesus in John 21:17 we see that the our love of Christ IS conditional. His love toward us is not, but our love towards him is.

Jesus forgives Peter for denying his existence, but as he forgives, Jesus asks Peter, "Do you love me?" Peter replies, "Yes." Jesus then says, "Feed my sheep."

If we really love Jesus we are not just giving him lip service, but actually doing things for him, such as, feeding his sheep. Now a preacher would tell you that feeding sheep is giving his congregation a great "word" from week to week, but this is not what Jesus was talking about at all because of two reasons,

1. Jesus did not give the same group of people a "word" from week to week, rather, he was out healing people, casting out demonic spirits, and declaring the kingdom of God.

2. His sheep are everyone in the world, not just a congregation of 50+ people.

When he (Jesus) saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. John 9:36

I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I (Jesus) must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. John 10:16

Notice that Jesus main ministry was to his sheep of Israel(this sheep pin), but his goal was to include the gentiles (non-Jews; not of this pen) as well. So, his ministry was to ALL PEOPLE!

So, if we really love Christ we will feed his sheep. Our congregations as well as the people "not of our sheep pen." The feeding should be not just a spiritual word, but a non spiritual biscuit.