19/05/08

Lamb and Sheep - Part II

John 21:15-17p - ... He said to him, "Feed My lambs." ... He said to him, "Tend My sheep."... Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep.

When Jesus asked Peter thrice if he loved Him? It was not that Jesus was hard to hear, but it was to cancel the three denials of Peter. More than that, Jesus wanted to teach Peter who was selected to lead the Apostles (not because of his name for 'Peter' means 'stone' not 'rock') how to handle his people. If you see Jesus first says "feed my lamb" then "tend my sheep" and then "feed my sheep". The procedures to handle God's children are summarized in these three steps.

First step: Give the Good News - the Gospel, giving testimonies of God’s love, teaching them the basics of the Word of God (Spiritual Milk). Since they are lambs the Lord takes extra tender care of them.

Second step: When the Word is in them, the Word is tested in them. This is the time you should not try to teach them too much, but encourage them to be in the Word. This is the most critical time for all believers; when their love for the Lord and his Word gets tested.

Deuteronomy 8:16 who fed you in the wilderness with manna which your fathers did not know, that he might humble you and test you, to do you good in the end.

Deuteronomy 13:1-3
1 "If a prophet arises among you, or a dreamer of dreams, and gives you a sign or a wonder,
2 and the sign or wonder which he tells you comes to pass, and if he says, 'Let us go after other gods,' which you have not known, 'and let us serve them,'
3 you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or to that dreamer of dreams; for the LORD your God is testing you, to know whether you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

Third step: This is the stage of building the person neither with milk, nor solid food but with Spiritual Meat.

Hebrews 5:12-14
12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

What is the difference between solid food and meat? Meat is a solid food but it is somewhat soft. Giving just hard revelations is not called for; you need to put them with testimonies and understandings, simplifying the truth. Bring down illegal structures or monuments in ones spiritual life.

Stage two and three can repeat when promotion is on its way.


[ Prayer Starter ]

Lord, I love You. Your ways are beautiful and perfect. Teach me your ways Lord and build me according to your Word. Help me understand them so that I can lead other to You, by your ways. I ask this prayer in Jesus' Name, Amen.


[ Reference Scripture ]

John 21:15-17
15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Feed My lambs."
16 He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Tend My sheep."
17 He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep.


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