Feed My Sheep

The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.” ( John 21:17)  

This easter season begins with a very blunt message om Jesus stating, “FEED MY SHEEP.” 

Lets talk about WHO is to be fed.  It is great that we care and feed each other as children of God, but I think that there is another message here today.  Peter received the gift of a forgiving love.  This love builds the church community through its ministry and outreach to everyone. This is to share the message of grace. 

We are a part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America where we view this call to discipleship very seriously and even go the extra mile including God’s grace in this call to action.  What I mean is that there are many church congregations who focus a lot on morality and “being saved” by doing all the right things that they feel are appropriate for the Lord that would allow them to be saved and welcomed into the eternal gates of heaven. Many fundamentalist congregations and non-denominations focus on “bringing back” the lost who have strayed from the church and need a revival to celebrate their “coming home” experience. 

As ELCA Lutheran we focus more on the grace that God gives all people and the love God has for all of God’s children.  This example can be explained further by the words of an Episcopalian priest named Sam Shoemaker who once said,

 “In the Great Commission the Lord has called us to be, like Peter, fishers of men.  We’ve turned the commission around so that we have become merely keepers of the AQUARIUM."  "Occasionally," says Shoemaker, "I take some fish out of your fishbowl and put them into mine, and you do the same with my bowl. But we’re all tending the same fish.”

  Jesus said, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of people.  NOT keepers of AQUARIUMs!

Here at Beautiful Savior, we are a very unique situation where we are in an area that is growing in population. There are a lot of fish / sheep in our area!   We are also one of the only mainline churches that has a mission to simply share Jesus’ message of hope, love, and grace to those who have never heard it or have been hurt by messages of hate, exclusion, or guilt. We are not a fundamentalist or non-denominational church congregation that has a revolving door of different believers going in and out. 

Now, our brothers in sisters in Christ in other Christian churches are working very hard to share the story of Jesus and are doing a great job reminding people of their faith, but are also finding it difficult to find fish to fill the nets. 

Jesis tells the disciples to put out their nets on the other side of the boat and then they end up catching A LOT of fish.  Maybe it is because fish are also on the other side of the boat.  God wants all people to hear of God’s grace!  Maybe as a church body   that is inclusive to all people of all faiths, lifestyles, and beliefs, we can help those on the edges of our society that are not being reached.  Maybe instead of being judgmental, homophobic, or narrow minded individuals,  we can come together as a loving body who reaches out. Maybe by putting our nets on the other side we can be fishers of people and fill God’s nets and help feed all God’s people. 

Let us wash the feet of those who need cleansing. Let us give fresh water to drink and cleanse people in the name of Jesus Christ. Let us go, give fresh bread, and feed His sheep. Let us give  ALL people a reason to live life. Through Jesus ALL people have   new life and wouldn’t it be nice to let them know that we all are loved, even those who lives are not acceptable to some people?

If you were constantly being told that your life was nothing but sin and your soul is going to hell would you be interested in hearing any more from the church congregation?  NO ,  but I can almost assure you that the message of grace and forgiveness would be welcomed by those who need to hear it.   That is how God works through God’s flock.  Let’s get to know our neighbors and share the grace of Jesus Christ. AMEN