Among the many things I’ve noticed in Geneva is that there are several retirement homes. One of the two near me has a public restaurant, or so I’m told. A friend who has been there before says the food is good. I was impressed. Because it suggests to me that the centre takes its role of caregiving seriously. The elderly are receiving tasty healthy meals. I don’t take that combination for granted, because healthy isn’t always tasty.
This is especially important when feeding seniors, whose tastebuds are not always fully functional. Any shift in their health situation can affect their dietary needs. When taking on the role of chef, these details matter. I can only presume it is even more important to Y’shua, when He invites us to share that responsibility with Him. Consider Today’s Holy Nougat.
John 21:17 CEVDCI
[17] Jesus asked a third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus had asked him three times if he loved him. So he told Jesus, “Lord, you know everything. You know I love you.” Jesus replied, “Feed my sheep.
Feed the Older Flock
Obviously, Peter’s ministry was to be all-encompassing. He would feed the lambs, take care of the sheep, *and* feed the sheep too. What strikes me here is that Peter seems to have no problem with the assignment. He did not ask for explanations, despite his background in fishing. Probably Peter was preoccupied with the questions about loving Y’shua that he failed to notice the implications of Y’shua’s directives. I doubt it though. Not my Peter. My Peter would have asked Y’shua about it.
Self-Check
When in doubt about an assignment, do we ask Y’shua for clarification?
Deeper Dive
As I pondered this series, one of the questions that I kept returning to was ‘which sheep?’ Was Y’shua referring only to the 72, thereby establishing Peter as His successor? Or was He speaking of the multitude who had become Y’shua’s ‘congregation’? If it was either of the two, or both, Peter would require a bit of divine help. Feeding those elders would be like walking on water (see Luke 8:22-25; Matthew 14:22-33). If he didn’t stay focused, he would fail.
Remember, the 72 weren’t monoliths. It wasn’t a homogeneous group. Those seniors comprised Y’shua’s intimates – women and men who travelled with Him and supported the ministry – they did not always agree. Peter’s ‘flock’ would include persons with higher intellect and social status than himself; some would be older, and all would be remembering Y’shua’s leadership style. Yet, in his love for Y’shua, Peter said ‘yes’.
Whether the sheep comprised the inner circle, the 72, or the multitude, they all had belief in Y’shua as the Son of God in common. It wasn’t a perfect situation, but they knew each other.
But, what if the flock included ‘secret disciples’? I’m referring to people like Joseph of Arimathea, Nicodemus, Jairus, [those were sheep who’d have followed him for some time; and lambs like] Simon of Cyrene, or the centurion who was convicted of Y’shua’s divinity there at Calvary (see Matthew 27:54)? Would Peter have been comfortable feeding them? Would we?
Siblings, Y’shua placed a heavy task on Peter’s shoulders. Yet He felt Peter was capable of bearing that responsibility. Under the anointing of God’s Spirit, Peter did.
It is easy to assume that those instructions were reserved for Peter only. And that may very well be true. For the others had not received such specific instructions. If that is the case, it would apply to the pastoral ministry. It could also be the ministry of bishops, archbishops, or others in similar leadership roles. If Y’shua intended such persons only to feed the sheep, we have the responsibility to pray for them.
But what if Y’shua is callingon each of us to feed the elderly flock in our local contexts? That is, the ministry of Christian education. Believe me, in these times (and always), the ‘food’ must be healthy and palatable. We can have any combination of those previously mentioned personalities under our care. Their spiritual needs must still be met, individually and collectively. Whether we feel up to the task or not, Y’shua is counting on our ‘yes’. It is would be our response in love.
Prayer Points
Let’s pray for ourselves and all those who lead and feed Y’shua’s flock, that we are up to the task assigned to us, with the help of God’s Spirit.
Point to Ponder
As we lead and feed Y’shua’s flock, per His directive, may we remember to offer everyone access to Y’shua, our Living Water.
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May all we seek be found in Christ
