Feeding Sheep

Sheep. They have a high degree of independence at birth, they flock together and like to be a part of a group, they’re nervous and easily frightened, defenseless against predators (they’re only able to run away), they’re particular in their grazing habits (they’re picky), they rank in intelligence just below the pig, if they fall over on their back they have to have help to get back up, they have no sense to lie down when they’re injured, they’ll follow each other off a cliff, if they fall into moving water they’ll drown, and they have severely limited vision. Pretty pitiful creatures. And yet, Jesus calls US sheep.


At times, I’m tempted to wonder if my ministry (ScriptureNow.com) that God has given me is really making a difference in the lives of others. (I hear that it does from time to time. I've had subscribers email me if their Daily Scripture doesn't arrive right on time : ) But, then He reminds me of Luke 9:62, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God." So, I dare not look back, but just keep plowing forward; ignoring the devil’s schemes to pull me out of God’s will. But, as I’ve prayed about this many times, wondering if I’m doing enough to reach the unsaved, God spoke to me about the Disciple Peter.

Peter had denied Jesus, but when Jesus was resurrected, He returned to His disciples and had an encounter with Peter about his love and devotion to Him. Jesus had to ask Peter if he loved Him THREE times. (I often wonder how many times the Lord feels like He needs to ask me that question in any given day.) When Peter answered “Yes, Lord you know that I love you,” Jesus commanded him to “Feed my sheep.” Jesus wasn’t referring to those who were lost. He was referring to those who were saved. HIS sheep; under His care. He wasn’t talking about physical food. He was talking about “spiritual” food. And we know that man cannot live on bread alone. (Matthew 4:4) We are only truly “fed” by every Word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. And that’s exactly what ScriptureNow.com does . . . it sends out the Word of God to those who need fed. (reaching into over 30 countries around the world!)

I found peace in knowing that God had gently and powerfully spoken to me in my prayers. I’m feeding His sheep. It’s His responsibility to go after the lost ones. (Jesus said "No one can come to Me, unless the Father who sent Me draw him: and I will raise him up on the last day.'' John 6:44). I’ve had to come to grips with the fact that it’s Jesus’ job to save, not mine. Jesus also spoke of a parable in which the Shepherd leaves the ninety-nine sheep to seek the one who is lost. (Luke 15:4-7) So, I’m going to trust God to use me to feed His sheep; to care for them in the way He’s commanded me to. Truly there is no greater joy than being His servant. I’ve given my life to Christ, and in doing so, I’ve been given the great joy of spending the rest of my life feeding sheep . . . and kneeling at His feet to be fed by Him, My Shepherd.