Christianity Oasis Forum

by **morningrain** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 8:20 am

John 21:21 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?

In the preceding verses of this chapter, Jesus commissions Peter to preach the gospel by testing his love for Him. Three times Jesus asked Peter if he really loved him. Each time Peter replies with a definite 'yes' and the last time Peter says, "Lord you know that I love you". He is then told by Jesus to feed his Sheep. It would seem as if the prerequisite for preaching the gospel must be an undying love for Christ and for the sheep that are placed in our path. If we are motivated by anything less than love our words will fall to the ground instead of into hearts. The old saying, "I do not care how much you know until I know how much you care", seems to be the heartbeat of our listeners. If our gospel is no more than words then we are not rightly fulfilling the Divine charge laid upon us. In the day that our Lord makes manifest the secrets of every heart and test the motivation of every deed He will find both wood, hay and stubble as well as gold, silver and precious stones. Our works will declare our motivations, so now is the time to ask Jesus to purify our hearts so that whatever is done is done in the name of Love. Peter later questions the Lord concerning John as to what he would do. Jesus replied in so many words, do not worry about him or his calling, occupy yourself with the calling I have placed upon you. "If he tarries till I come what is that to thee", Too many times in the Christian faith we are distracted by what we think another should or should not be doing. It is up to each of us personally to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling and to carefully fulfill the charge laid upon us in the spirit of meekness. So when the thought comes to you, "what shall this man do", quickly respond, I do not know, but I do know what I shall do, I shall feed His lambs with love and tender mercies. Feed his Sheep and never judge the spiritual status of another. They are right where they are for a reason even as we are. Today's commission to us, FEED MY SHEEP.