Timely Insights into God's Word from Khandielese Reyes

“So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?  He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee.   He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.  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.  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.”  (John 21:15-17) 

“Feed The Flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.”  (1^st Pet 5:2-3) 

The role of a shepherd is just as important today (if not more so) than it was yesterday and certainly the qualifications for one called by God as a shepherd or overseer has not changed at all.  A shepherd must be selfless, willing to put the needs of the sheep well above his own.   His primary concern should be that of the sheep in nurturing, protecting and caring for their needs.  Any man/woman called by God into this position has a great responsibility to fulfill the obligations thereof in lovingly tending to the sheep for The Father loves his flock, thus an appointed “shepherd’ must genuinely love the flock as well.  The shepherd is not called to be served, but called to SERVE; he is not called to be fed by the sheep but called to FEED the sheep.  Therefore, it is not the responsibility of the sheep to tend to the shepherd’s needs in protecting him, but the responsibility lies upon the shepherd in protecting and tending to them.  Thus the shepherds MUST “Feed The Flock of God” out of OBEDIENCE to The Lord God, out of LOVE for Yeshua’, out of genuine LOVE for the sheep. 

Three times the Lord asks Peter the same question here in the book of John chapter 21, and three times the Lord gave the same instruction to Peter.  He asked of Peter: “Simon, son of Jonas, Lovest thou me? And following the question he gave the instruction: “Feed my lambs”, “Feed my sheep.”  Now, obviously he was not referring to literal sheep, but was referring to young converts, and those whom already had been converted for they to needed watching over and tending to.  A “lamb” is a young “sheep”, thus we can consider the “lamb” as representation of a “baby” Christian and “sheep” as those a little more mature in the faith than the babe.  The food expected to be given them is the Word of God, where there lies the nourishment to enable their spiritual growth.  The Lord asks Peter “Do you love me”, and after hearing the answer to his question he then instructs him to feed his lambs and sheep.  His words could not be more comprehensible than what they already are, bottom line the Lord is saying to the one(s) he has appointed as shepherds and/or overseers: IF you say that you love me, than show me by feeding my lambs and my sheep. 

In the church today, it is very sad to be witness to many who profess the calling of a “shepherd” and yet will not “Feed the Flock of God”.  They profess to love the Lord Jesus, but have neglected his lambs and sheep.  Many have sent the sheep before them, placing them in harms way and putting them in spiritual danger by their use of false doctrines giving them “rotten” meat to feed upon rather than the rich nourishment of the COMPLETE Word of God.  After Peter received instruction from the Lord regarding shepherding and adhered to the Lord’s words, he then gave instructions to others on the importance of keeping watch over God’s flock as we read  in the book of 1 Peter chapter 5.  However, many of “today’s” shepherds have not taken his words to heart and either don’t fully and completely understand the position of a shepherd, or even more frightening is that they understand but have chosen to do opposite of what the Lord God has commanded. If one has no genuine love for God’s sheep, then one cannot truly shepherd his flock.  And some, judging by their actions have proven to have no genuine love for the precious sheep of our Lord Jesus Christ.  For if you loved them, you would do as the Lord has asked and feed them.   

What has happened to the shepherds of today?  Has the desire for fame and lure of great wealth been so tempting that the welfare of the sheep is no longer important?  You tell them what they desire to hear that your pockets can remain fat, or you feed them half truths interpreting and delivering the scripture in such a way that they give out of fear and many like the poor widow, has given all that they have.   While you have increased in popularity and wealth, the precious sheep have decreased in spiritual growth and basic needs of which YOU shall be held accountable.  The flock of the Lord was entrusted into your care.  They were not to care and nurture you, YOU were to care and nurture them.  Yet, it is evident that many have failed miserably in this area as so many of the sheep have gone astray wandering into dangerous pastures, and many suffer great lack both spiritually and materially.  This breaks the hearts of many who genuinely care for the sheep as they witness this poor representative of a shepherd and even more so, this sort of behavior breaks the heart of our Lord.  When we examine the shepherds of old, there is no doubt that there is a massive different between them and the overseers of today.  The Apostle Paul loved the sheep so much that he kept constant watch over them, and immediately would intervene at the very threat of any false doctrine reaching their ears and settling into their hearts.  As did all the Apostles and overseers who went from place to place feeding and nurturing the little lambs and the sheep of our Lord.  They did not compromise the gospel of Christ, but spoke boldly the truth of the Word, and as many as were able to digest the truth, did, and obtained spiritual growth.  From the lambs to the sheep, all were given nourishment and none was left to fend for himself. 

These shepherds of old were a great example for those who are called into this position today.  It is important to remember the importance of leadership and proper guidance.  Remembering that you are called to serve, not to be served  and the Lord entrusted His sheep to you to protect, guide and nurture thus, “Feed the flock of God.”  In the words of Peter: “be examples to the flock.  And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.”

I love you all so very much. Have a blessed week in the Lord and remember: Whatever we do, do ALL for the GLORY of GOD, who ALONE is worthy of the GLORY and the PRAISE!

The Lord be with you this day and always!  Shalom Uvracha (Peace and Blessings)…….. 

Kadosh, Kadosh, Kadosh,
Adonai Elohim Tzeva-ot
Asher Hayah Va-ho-veh VaY’vo

Holy, Holy, Holy
Lord God Almighty
Who was and is and is to come!

May the peace of the Lord be with you today and always……

Khandielese
Daughter & Servant
   of the Lord God