I’ve lived a blessed life. Both my parents were educators for most of their lives. My dad taught sciences (I did not inherit those genes), and my mom’s specialty was early childhood. Initially, she was an all- rounder; she taught in the days when one year an individual taught year 9, the next year 5 or 2. While teaching at an ‘all-age’ school, she was selected for a pilot programme in early childhood education. The rest is history. She found her true calling. What the government didn’t know was that my parents were both early childhood educators at home. They literally were our first teachers, guiding us children in the basics with games and other activities before we were old enough to realise what they did.
Perhaps, as descendants of formerly enslaved persons, they believed education was a key to the world. Or maybe they interpreted Proverbs 22:6 literally. For my siblings and I were trained ‘in the way we should grow’, through Reading, Writing and Arithmetic, along with a strong spiritual foundation, and we haven’t lost that training.
The fact is, siblings, whatever we offer those in their early years of formation – skills, creative and performing arts, theory, culture, and/or spirituality – remains for a very long time. With that said, let’s think about the formal and informal lessons we offer converts as we consider Today’s Holy Nougat.
John 21:15 CEVDCI
[15] When Jesus and his disciples had finished eating, he asked, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than the others do?” Simon Peter answered, “Yes, Lord, you know I do!” “Then feed my lambs,” Jesus said.
Feed those Lambs
Most of us are aware that Y’shua had a soft spot for children and babies. In Mark 10:14-16 (also Luke 18:15-17; and Matthew 19:13-15), we are told of Y’shua’s response to the disciples for turning away mothers and their children. He was firm in ensuring that they each received a blessing. He valued spiritual formation.
Self-Check
How much value do we place on getting the right foundation when we are studying?
Digging Deeper
It is not wholly surprising therefore, for the Good Shepherd to instruct the fisherman to feed His lambs. For once we move past the element of the disparity in professions, a baby is a baby … or was it?
Most of us would argue – and rightly so – that it is highly unlikely that Y’shua was making reference to baby sheep or only children and youth. Rather, we’re taking lambs to refer to those who are new converts or receiving early formation in the faith. Acts 2 suggests that it may have been His way of commissioning Peter to serve new converts.
If we revert to a previous reflection on Peter, we will recall that he was described (by me) as uncouth. While that is a bit strong, we may be aware that Peter was impetuous, and not the most refined among Y’shua’s disciples. He sometimes spoke without thinking. There was even an instance in Matthew 16:23 also Mark 8:33 when Y’shua rebuked him for speaking out of turn.
Yet from among the 12 and the 72, including the beloved disciple, Y’shua appointed Peter as the one to feed His lambs.
For Peter had proven himself to be teachable. And, he seriously loved Y’shua. On those grounds, Y’shua had no doubt that Peter would feed His lambs.
What if Y’shua invited us to answer the same question today? How well do we love Y’shua? Will we say yes to feeding His lambs? Will we offer the solid milk of God’s Word to a hungry, vulnerable, and unlearned convert? Will we offer Y’shua, as the Living Water to dry and thirsty souls? Hear Y’shua speaking to us in this moment, and respond.
Point to Ponder
Feeding isn’t only about what we say, it’s also how we do what we say. Let us practice what we preach.
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May all we seek be found in Christ
