Is your church feeding the sheep of Jesus?
Many years ago, I was concerned that, at church, we were focusing too much on ourselves and not reaching out into the community enough. Another member kept talking about how important it was to make sure our own members were fed and cared for spiritually, before we tried to help others.
I could see her point, but at the time, it seemed like that was most of what we did, provide services and activities for ourselves, and when we did reach out to the community, we didn’t always know the best way to do it. We didn’t really understand what the needs were in our community
I wanted my church to go out into the world and in the spirit of Jesus’s command,
Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Mark 16:15 NIV
Well, at least in our local area, I felt we should be reaching out more to share our faith and be of service to the community.
I was still a bit idealistic that every church member pretty much had all their problems worked out, because we all acted like everything was fine, great, and wonderful all the time.
So, when this other church member kept insisting that we needed to feed our own church members first, my initial response was: Well, they know how to feed themselves and they are already feeding themselves. We need to reach out to the community more.
Obviously, I was not really aware of the needs of the congregation in the way this friend was.
Are you aware of the needs of your church members?
In the many years since, I have learned that one of the most important functions of a church is to care for its members, to make sure all the sheep of Jesus are fed, cared for, nurtured, and strengthened.
I had been so focused on sharing my faith with others that I was not aware of how much I, as well as fellow church members, needed to be fed and cared for spiritually.
Oh, I was studying the Bible at the time, and praying as well as going to church. But I was also neglecting some of the deep spiritual communion with God that was needed for me to let go of bad habits and a material, limited, and negative mindset about myself.
Basically, at least in practice, although I didn’t realize it at the time, I was acting as though it was more important for me to tell others about God’s love for them than experiencing God’s love for me.
How can you or I truly tell someone else about God’s love for them, when our belief and faith that God loves us is more on just an intellectual level and isn’t the result of actually feeling God’s love ourselves?
Jesus always took care of his sheep
Jesus saw so clearly the need to care for his followers. During his brief ministry he spent countless hours, nurturing, guiding, protecting, teaching, healing, and feeding, sometimes literally, always spiritually, his disciples and those who came to him for help.
This went on for three years, but Jesus knew he would not be with his disciples personally forever. He must have given a lot of thought to and prayed earnestly about what would happen once he was gone.
He certainly had high expectations. He told his followers in the Sermon on the Mount,
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.Matthew 5:16 NIV
And later in his ministry he made a promise to them about what would happen when he was no longer with them.
Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. John 14:12 NIV
These are just a couple of examples of how Jesus expected his followers to care for others.
Who will take care of the sheep of Jesus when he is gone?
But who would step up and care for his followers the way he had, when he was gone?
Christians love to talk about the Great Commission, which Jesus gave the disciples just before he ascended.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Matthew 28:19 NIV
And that was at the heart of my desire, all those years ago, for my church to focus on reaching out to the community and sharing the gospel, instead of just ministering to ourselves.
And the Great Commission, as it has come to be called, is vitally important to the life of the church.
Another “Great Commission” to care for the sheep
But Jesus gives an equally important commission to Peter – who to some degree represents church leadership, and in effect, all of us – to take care of Jesus’s followers, his lambs and sheep, those who are already in the church.
And Jesus’s command to feed and care for his sheep comes in a pretty unexpected way.
Imagine you are one of the disciples and it’s a week or two after Jesus’s resurrection.
The world is shifting under your feet. The impossible has just happened. Jesus was crucified. It felt like the end of the world. But three days later he appeared to you and the other disciples. He was alive!
You’re still trying to process what happened and what you’re supposed to do about it.
When Peter says he’s going fishing, it sounds like a great idea and you go with him and a few other disciples. It will give you all time to talk things over.
Have you ever “fished all night” and caught nothing?
But after fishing all night, you catch nothing. As the sun starts to come up, you see a stranger on the shore who tells you to cast your net on the right side of the boat. You do and suddenly you’ve got so many fish in your net, you’re afraid it might break. But it doesn’t.
Everyone is trying to figure out who that stranger on the shore could be. But then John realizes that it’s Jesus. Peter is so excited to see Jesus, he figures he can get to the shore quicker by swimming than by rowing a boat full of people and now a lot of fish.
You probably know this story well. If you’d like to read the whole thing, it’s in John, Chapter 21.
Jesus to Peter: Do you love me?
After eating the meal Jesus prepared for all of you, he singles out Peter with a series of three questions,
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of 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 21:15-17 NIV
Even though Jesus was talking specifically to Peter, he is talking to you and me as well. Here, Jesus, as the Good Shepherd that he is, is taking care of one of his sheep who strayed, in this case, Peter, who denied him three times.
When that happened, Peter felt terrible. In fact, once he realized what he had done,
And he went outside and wept bitterly. Luke 22:62 NIV
By asking Peter three times to reaffirm his love for him, Jesus was caring for one his followers by lifting a heavy burden from Peter’s heart.
Peter to feed the sheep of Jesus
But Jesus doesn’t just redeem Peter from the past. He propels him into the future. And in doing so, Jesus passes the torch to Peter to care for his followers, his lambs and his sheep.
Each time Peter says he loves Jesus, Jesus tells him how to express that love, by feeding his lambs, caring for his sheep, and feeding his sheep.
I used to think Jesus was telling the same thing to Peter each time, but I have realized he is actually saying several different things.
You may remember a previous episode, when I talked with Roy Gessford, who explained that in the Aramaic translation of the New Testament, Jesus refers to his lambs, his male sheep, and his ewes, or female sheep. It’s Episode 155: Aramaic in the New Testament with Roy Gessford.
And after they had breakfast, Yeshua (Jesus) said to Shimeon Kaypha (Simon Peter), “Shimeon, Bar Yonah (son of John) , do you love me more than these things?”
He said to him, “Yes, my Lord, you know that I love you.”
He said to him, “Shepherd my lambs for me.” He said to him again a second time, “Shimeon Bar Yonah, do you love me?”
He said to him, “Yes, my Lord. You know that I love you.”
Yeshua said to him, “Shepherd my sheep for me.” He said a third time, “Shimeon Bar Yonah, do you love me?”
And Kaypha was saddened that he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “My lord, you discern everything; you know that I love you.” Yeshua said to him, “Shepherd my ewes for me.” John 21:15-17 Peshitta (Aramaic) Holy Bible Translated
When you love Jesus, you feed his sheep
Jesus is asking Peter to care for all his sheep, all his followers, young and old, male and female, new followers and seasoned ones. Jesus knows his sheep will need help and he is making it crystal clear to Peter this is a major priority. And it’s the best way for Peter to prove that he loves Jesus.
It reminds me of what Jesus said earlier in his ministry,
If you love me, you will keep my commands. John 14:15 CSB
Now obviously, Jesus was talking specifically to Peter, but his message, his command, applies to you and me as well, and certainly to the church as a whole, especially those in church leadership positions.
If we love Jesus, we will care for all his sheep.
Is your church feeding the sheep of Jesus?
If you and your church are not caring for, nurturing, and feeding spiritually the church members you already have, which are Jesus’s lambs, sheep, and ewes, you’re not really ready for more sheep.
When you’re faithful over what you have, you’ll be ready to receive more.
So which is more important, the Great Commission to go into all the world, preach the gospel to all creation, and make disciples—or you could say, add more sheep to the fold, the church? Or should we spend our time on caring for the sheep we have, what I’m going to call, the Great Shepherding?
Actually, both are equally important. Maybe these two activities are like the right and the left hand of the body of Christ. Each one is important and each one works together with the other to accomplish more than they could accomplish alone.
Where are you in your ministry?
But it also depends on where you are in your ministry. If you are one person just starting out sharing your faith, maybe starting a church, or some kind of ministry, you don’t have any sheep yet to take care of, so you preach the gospel first.
That’s what Jesus did. Before he had any disciples
Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Matthew 4:17 KJV
Because of his preaching, he gathered some followers. He chose Andrew and Simon Peter, and James and John. Right after that, he preached more.
Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he healed them. Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him. Matthew 4:23-25 NIV
Imagine that, Jesus started with no followers, he just preached the good news about the kingdom of heaven. But his preaching and teaching were not just words. He was caring for and feeding people spiritually. And he healed people of every kind of sickness. Talk about taking care of your sheep?
What was the natural result of all this? “Large crowds…followed him.” The more Jesus preached and ministered to the people who were following him, the more sheep came his way.
Want more Jesus followers at church?
If you’re trying to get more sheep in your church, more people who want to follow Jesus, maybe it’s time to follow Jesus’s example of how to do that. It’s pretty simple. We don’t need to make it so complicated. We don’t need to reinvent the wheel.
Share the good news that the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Share your faith that Jesus has the answers because he is the Son of God.
Now, if you have sheep already in your ministry or your church, don’t focus first on rushing after new sheep until you are actively nurturing the sheep, the followers of Jesus, you already have in your midst.
Then, your church or ministry will grow in a healthy way.
Church growth brings changes
As you grow you may need to change the way you care for your sheep. And if some of your sheep leave, you may need to take an honest look at how you could do a better job of caring for and feeding them the way Jesus would want you to.
When the early Christian church was growing rapidly, because of the day of Pentecost and other events where the gospel was shared, there were suddenly a lot more sheep to take care of and the church had to make some adjustments to their procedures.
Here’s an example of what I’m talking about.
In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.” Acts 6:1-4 NIV
In this case, there were so many new sheep, the twelve Apostles decided to divide the work among two different groups of people, one group to preach, one to take care of the flock.
No formula
Many churches have some form of this approach today. But the point I want to make is that this is not a formula. What you and your church do to preach the gospel and care for the followers of Jesus among you, needs to be the result of prayer, not human politics or opinions, or simply the traditional way your church has always done it.
So, I’ll ask again, which is more important, the Great Commission, to preach and make disciples, or the Great Shepherding, to care for and nurture Jesus’s sheep?
If you’re only preaching and getting more sheep to come to your church, but not caring for them spiritually once they’re there, they will probably leave sooner or later.
And if you’re not sharing the good news of the kingdom of heaven in the community, but you’re actually meeting the needs of the sheep you already have, one of two things might happen.
People in your church may feel so cared for that they start sharing their faith with others and inviting them to church. When a church member feels cared for and fed spiritually, they won’t be able to stop sharing their faith.
Honest self-examination
If they’re being cared for and fed spiritually but not sharing their faith, it could be for a number of reasons, and only some honest self-examination can detect what’s preventing them from letting their light shine so others can see it.
If you’re sharing your faith, either individually or collectively, and more of Jesus’s sheep are not joining with you, here’s another opportunity to take a good look at how you’re obeying the Great Commission. How are you telling people about the kingdom of heaven, about Jesus, and your faith?
Are you following some little evangelizing formula you’ve said for years? Are you speaking in church lingo to someone who doesn’t understand what you’re saying? Or are you guided by the Holy Spirit how to share your faith in a fresh way and adapt your conversation to the person you’re talking to?
When someone new visits your church, do you tell them what a great church you are and share the important points of what you believe? Or do you ask them what their needs are and how you can help?
Sharing and caring
Sharing your faith with others and caring for the sheep are both very important but they should not be mixed up. Each one has its place and each works together to enrich the other.
I encourage you to take an honest look at the way you as an individual, and your church (if you’re a member of one) fulfill or don’t fulfill the Great Commission and the Great Shepherding, sharing your faith and feeding the sheep of Jesus.
How can you get closer to the way Jesus preached and fed his sheep?
Photo credit: Andrea Lightfoot
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James Early, the Jesus Mindset Coach, is a Bible teacher, speaker, and podcaster. He conducts Bible workshops online and in person. His focus is on getting back to the original Christianity of Jesus by embracing the mindset of Christ in daily life. Contact him here.
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Bible References
Mark 16:15 NIV
15 Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.
Matthew 5:16 NIV
16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
John 14:12 NIV
12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
Matthew 28:19 NIV
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
John 21:15-17 NIV
15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
17 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.”
Luke 22:62 NIV
62 And he went outside and wept bitterly.
John 21:15-17 Peshitta (Aramaic) Holy Bible Translated
15 And after they had breakfast, Yeshua said to Shimeon Kaypha, “Shimeon, Bar Yonah, do you love me more than these things?” He said to him, “Yes, my Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Shepherd my lambs for me.”
16 He said to him again a second time, “Shimeon Bar Yonah, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, my Lord. You know that I love you.” Yeshua said to him, “Shepherd my sheep for me.”
17 He said a third time, “Shimeon Bar Yonah, do you love me?” And Kaypha was saddened that he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “My lord, you discern everything; you know that I love you.” Yeshua said to him, “Shepherd my ewes for me.”
John 14:15 CSB
15 If you love me, you will keep my commands.
Matthew 4:17 KJV
17 Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Matthew 4:23-25 NIV
23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.
24 News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he healed them.
25 Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.
Acts 6:1-4 NIV
1 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.
2 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.
3 Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them
4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”
