On Discipling


Jesus asked Simon Peter three times in a row
a question that ran very deep.
"Do you love Me?" He asked him, although He did know.
With the answer He said "Feed My sheep."
Every time that Christ asked, Peter answered with "Yes!
You know that my love I will keep!"
Jesus looked at him calmly and then would address:
"If you love Me then please feed My sheep."
Poor Peter was grieved that Christ asked more than twice;
by the end Peter almost did weep.
He may have remembered denying Him thrice
as he heard Jesus say "Feed My sheep."
When He said "Feed My sheep" three times over that day,
What did Jesus want Peter to know?
He knew that the young lambs were easy to stray
and He wanted God's children to grow.
Those new to the gospel, those new to the Word
are like lambs who are needing their milk
with eyes young and tender, their voice barely heard,
and their hearts so much softer than silk.
Immature, always hungry, in such need of care,
left alone childish lambs will get lost.
The good shepherd leads his young flock everywhere
and protects them whatever the cost.
Not only are shepherds required to lead,
so are those who in faith are adults.
Not only the lambs but each other we feed;
those who know must also consult.
If you do love the Saviour, this much should you do,
feed His sheep so we all grow and thrive.
Be a bellwether, lead both the old and the new
and remind all the Shepherd's alive!
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15When they had eaten breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, 
“Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these? ”
Yes, Lord,” he said to Him, “You know that I love You.”
“Feed My lambs,” He told him.
16A second time He asked him, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me? ”
Yes, Lord,” he said to Him, “You know that I love You.”
“Shepherd My sheep,” He told him.
17He asked him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me? ”
Peter was grieved that He asked him the third time, “Do you love Me? ” He said, “Lord, You know everything!  You know that I love You.”
“Feed My sheep,” Jesus said. 
John 21:15-17

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