Feed My Sheep

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John 21:15-17

So when they had dined, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, love you me more than these? He said to him, Yes…

This was a sort of ordination of Peter to the pastorate. Note, then —

I. THE EXAMINATION.

1. Christ does not admit any without examination, and this should encourage us to examine ourselves.

2. The examination touched the heart of the man and the very heart of religion, for if love be absent all is vain.

3. The examination dealt not with mental or spiritual qualifications, important as they were, but only that which is the supreme endow-merit of the pastor. It was necessary, because —

(1) Love keeps us in Christ's company, and so we work under His immediate supervision.

(2) Love to Christ kindles love for souls, and love gains almost absolute control over them.

(3) Love enables us to bear with the sheep's infirmities without discouragement. What is it that sustains the mother in her weary watchings?

(4) Feeding the sheep is a proof of love. Peter would have liked a more brilliant proof, and so should we; but this is the real test.

(5) Pastoral work is the craving of love. Loving Christ we want to do something for Him.

(6) It is also the stimulus of love. The more we do at it the more we are loved by Christ and man.

(7) It is a sphere of communion. If we go among Christ's sheep we shall be with Him.

II. THE PERSON WHO WAS EXAMINED.

1. Christ examined Peter because he wanted re-ordination. Had He not done so doubt would have been cast on his apostleship in after years. What blindness has seized the Church of Rome, which thinks that Christ spoke to Peter because he was the greatest, whereas it is plain that he was the least. The others had not denied Him and therefore were not reordained.

2. Christ took Peter off what might have grown into morbid sorrow. "Peter, My dear fellow, I know you are sincerely penitent; do not fret about it, but go and feed My sheep."

3. Then was not Peter in danger of getting too big? In the case of some men an early breakdown was the making of them. They began from that time self loathing, and the Master used them.

4. This feeding sheep would benefit Peter. You did not know what a fool you were till you had to deal with fools; how quick tempered till you deal with the quick tempered. It was by feeding Christ's flock that the Peter of the judgment hall became the Peter of the Epistles.

5. Why "Simon son of Jonas?"(1) The weak name was used to remind him of his weakness. If you cannot come as Peter, come as Simon.

(2) This was his name when he was converted. Nothing will help you to feed the flock of God like the memory of your conversion.

(3) This was the name that Jesus called him when he made his memorable confession. Recollect in addition to your conversion the seasons in which Christ has manifested Himself to you as He does not to the world.

III. THE WORK. "Feed."

1. The middle word is "shepherdize," but the first and last is "feed." When you preach give a hearty meal: the sheep will put up with many defects if you only feed them. You may dress them, and lead them about, but this will not satisfy them. What a quantity the sheep eat in the clover field! They won't leave it and wander down the barren road. God's people hunger and thirst after righteousness, and it is promised that they shall be filled, not have a nib and a bite. Never be afraid of giving them too much doctrine. Some want to drive them, but that won't do. You say you will lead them, but first feed them. Don't lead lean sheep. You want to govern them according to the middle word: but give two doses of feeding to one of governing. You have not to invent a new food. God has appointed the proper food; and though you might concoct a new food and get your name up, that is no business of yours. That great shepherd, the Pope, how much does he govern? how much does he feed? how much are the sheep nourished by his hallowed cursings?

2. The work begins with the "little lambkins." Put the food, therefore, where they can get at it. "Bless the Lord," said a farmer, after a sermon from a substitute for his minister, a very high, classical gentleman, "the hay was put in a low crib." Some preach as though the Lord said, "Feed My camelopards." Nothing but giraffes would be able to reach it from the lofty rack in which they place the food. "Oh," say you, "I want to get them to work." Feed them up to it, then. You cannot get much work out of a starving horse. And whatever you do, feed yourself. A lean preacher makes a lean people.

3. What does this involve?

(1) Watchfulness. No shepherd can afford to sleep at certain times. When you have a lambing time on — a blessed revival — you must keep your eyes open. And the devil goes about as a wolf, you must watch lest he devour the flock.

(2) Patience. The sheep are prone to wander.

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