This is a sermon I heard elsewhere, but the following catches the same informatino very well. From: feed_my_sheep
Do you love Jesus? Do you really love Him? If so, are you obeying His commandments (see John 14:15)? Are you feeding His sheep? Let’s look at John 21:15 again:
15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him. In the Greek, Jesus asked, "Do you AGAPAO me?" He was referring to AGAPE love... which is God’s love. Agape love is an uncompromising love. It loves whether or not the subject returns that love. It loves even if the subject returns hate. Agape love is an unconditional love. It loves even the un-lovely. It loves those who don’t want to be loved. If you truly love Jesus, feed His sheep.
The word "Feed" in this verse in the original Greek language means to promote the spiritual welfare of Jesus’ AR-NEE’-ON (little lambs). Would any mother give birth to a baby, then leave it to fend for itself? Of course not! When a soul comes to Christ, we need to embrace that spiritual babe and foster his/her spiritual growth. When a new convert (or even a veteran believer) comes to the church, it is imperative for you to wrap your arms around that person and agape them. Lift them up in your prayers. Let them know that somebody cares about them. They may not look or act like the type of person you would want to love... which is even more reason to agape them.
Peter’s reply to Jesus’ question, "thou knowest that I love thee," wasn’t really a direct answer. Peter was saying "Lord, you know that I PHILEO (not agape) you." The Greek word phileo means friendship, fondness, affection or personal attachment. Phileo love is qualified by a relationship or attachment of some sort. It is very conditional. It is not the pure, high AGAPE love that Jesus was asking for.
Sometimes, we’ll love our Christian brothers and sisters... but only if they’re doing what we want them to. We won’t love them if it is uncomfortable or inconvenient for us. THAT IS SIN! Look at what happens in John 21:16
16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
Jesus repeats his question to Peter. However, this time the word "feed" in the Greek is POY-MAH’EE-NO, which means to oversee or to provide their soul needs. You see, once a baby Christian progresses along the path of spiritual maturity, we no longer need to "bottle feed" them. I like the way Keith Green put it... we’re simply like the curb on the street. We keep them from running off the road. Although the primary responsibility for providing POY-MAH’EE-NO falls upon the pastor, we all play a part in edifying the body of Christ in love (see Ephesians 4:16).
Jesus also uses a different word for "sheep" in this verse. He calls them PROB’-AT-ON, which means sheep but, in its most literal translation, means a thing that walks forward.
The body of Christ does not sit still... we are moving forward, taking the gospel to the world. In order for us to effectively move forward, we must remember to lift each other up in a spirit of love. In fact, if we don’t receive support and fellowship from each other, we can’t walk forward. Not only that, we couldn’t do anything without the "mutual support" of our sisters and brothers.
I heard a minister say that if it was God’s responsibility to hold the church together, that He was doing a "lousy job of it." At first, I found that statement to be shocking. Later, I realised that the truth is, it is not God’s job to hold the church together. It is our job! Look at what Ephesians 4 says:
10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) {fill: or, fulfil}
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: {in: or, into} {stature: or, age}
14 That we [henceforth] be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, [and] cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, [even] Christ: {speaking...: or, being sincere}
16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: {blindness: or, hardness}
19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
20 But ye have not so learned Christ;
21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
We see in verse 16 of Ephesians 4 that the body is joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplies. You supply a little love, the next person supplies a little exhortation, the Pastor supplies preaching... etc. Each one of us has a role to play. Each one has a gift to use. Now, let’s move on with John 21:17
17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
This time, Jesus used Peter’s word for love. Jesus asked, "Do you PHILEO me?" Notice that, when we can’t seem to make it to Jesus’ level, He will always meet us where we are. He did the same with the woman at the well, starting the conversation with a request for a drink of water, not with a diatribe about the woman’s sinful life (read the account in John 4:4-42).
Jesus goes on to tell Peter about the sacrifice that would be required of him, closing in John 21:19 with "Follow me." In the Greek, Jesus was telling Peter, "Be in the same way with Me" or "Join/Accompany Me." Remember Jesus taught (and demonstrated) that the greatest love is to lay down your life for your friends (see John 15:13).
This is what Jesus did (see John 10:15). This is what He requires us to do... to be perfect (or, complete), as our Father is perfect (see Matthew 5:48). How can we be perfect? By being made perfect in love (see Ephesians 1:4 and Colossians 3:14).
Peter eventually caught on to what Jesus was saying. Jesus met Peter at the PHILEO level in John 21:17, but Peter met Jesus at the AGAPE level in I Peter 1:13-16 as he feeds the body of Christ.
If you love Jesus... if you really love Jesus, you will feed His sheep. As He took up the cross and died for us — when we were His enemies (see Romans 5:6-8, 10) — we must take up our cross daily (see Luke 9:23) and die on it. The cross is the first century equivalent to the electric chair. It’s not a shiny emblem that you wear like a piece of common jewelry. It is an instrument of death. To take up your cross (daily) is to kill the selfish and carnal works of the flesh (see Colossians 3:5-17) and be crucified with Christ... allowing Him to live through you (see Galatians 2:20).
Would Jesus walk over one of His sheep, callously ignoring it’s piteous bleating? No way! Neither should we. Make an extra effort to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and to be ready to encourage the hearts of your brothers and sisters in Christ with love and compassion. Help them to walk forward and continue to promote their spiritual welfare (see Hebrews 10:24 and II Timothy 4:2).
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