Tend My Sheep

So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, {son} of John, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My lambs.” --John 21:15

It is interesting that Peter was to tend the sheep in response to loving Jesus. I loved having sheep as a child; it was great fun feeding and watching them. They definitely do need tending. Jesus did not tell Peter to fatten the sheep; that is the job of the butcher. He did not say stimulate and excite the sheep; that is the job of the wolf. He gave the job of shepherding to Peter. So many wipe out because of lack of encouragement and food. What feeds the sheep is the true Word, Jesus. Just talking about Jesus will allow the disciple-maker to feed and tend the sheep. Often I meet people who are so down, so depressed, but simply bringing up the name of Jesus or something He taught or said will bring a lift to their spirits. This is tending. Much of what we see called worship today is only of man; it is not feeding, shepherding, or tending.

My grandfather hated feedlots. It was his feeling that cattle and sheep were something to be nurtured; they needed space and quality conditions. I was surprised once to discover that the feedlots were giving the cattle plastic pellets to eat, for after all, they took the place of grain and could be recycled. Despite the fact that there was no nutritional value in the pellets, they were formulated to trick the normal digestive system of the cow. Church today is full of plastic pellets. Oh, we sing, we jump, we worship (sing ourselves happy), and yet we leave so dissatisfied with nothing to keep us in the coming hours when spiritual strength is needed at work or at home. Tend the sheep! Simply speak of Jesus to one another. This is the food that will keep us beyond the conversation, the sermon, and the meeting. Colossians 3:16 & 17, “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”

- Mike Wells