Thursday, April 12, 2007

Feed My Lambs - Feed My Sheep

"Today's Devotion" For April 12, 2007

Read: John 21:15-19; Psalm 23

FEED MY LAMBS - FEED MY SHEEP

"The third time He said to him, 'Simon son of John, do you love me?....Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.' Jesus said, 'Feed My sheep.'" (John 21:17)

I read earlier today that the Iraqi Parliament was bombed and six people died. Not only is it a sad thing that people would do such a thing, but it's really sad that the group of people targeted are trying to make Iraq a safer and better place to live for its citizens. In other parts of the world, the picture isn't any rosier. In Africa genocide and other atrocities are taking place as groups of people try to force their will on others. In refuge camps food is often scarce and sanitary conditions are frequently horrible. When we look at our own cities we see poverty, homelessness, drugs, crime, and myriad societal maladies. And, if we have any concern for others at all, we wonder why no one seems to care.

O, I know you and I care about those in need, those who were killed, and those who face annihilation. Yet, what are we doing about those things? Have we gone out of our way lately to help a homeless person, send food to a food pantry, donate clothing to a thrift shop or clothing bank, or bought a hungry person a meal? Have we taken the time to pray for those who are committing the atrocities of terror in Iraq and Africa as well as other parts of the earth? Do we encourage our elected officials to find ways to help us reach out with love and compassion to provide assistance to those in need all over the globe - assistance that's meaningful and generous? While we might realize that we are our "brother's keeper," all too often we fall short of providing the care and concern which so many hurting people need.

Besides the physical hunger people face there is the spiritual hunger that's integrally wound around the fabric of human existence. We, who have been called into the marvelous light of God's grace, mercy, love, and forgiveness in Jesus Christ through the washing of Holy Baptism have also been called by our Lord and Savior to share that same spiritual food with others. No one cares or loves the people of this world as our heavenly Father does. No one has paid so great a sacrifice for the life of human beings - physical, spiritual, and eternal - as has Jesus the Christ. This is the very point that Jesus was making to Peter in our reading from John's Gospel - as He had died for Peter, He was also calling Peter to share what he had received through faith in Jesus with others. Calling upon His words earlier in John (10:14ff), Jesus calls upon Peter, and us, to share His love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness with everyone - His lambs, His sheep - those for whom He died so they might have life forever in Him.

Today our Lord is calling us to the same calling He gave to Peter - Feed My lambs; feed My sheep." He's calling us to bring the power of His Word and Spirit to bear in people's lives, just as He has brought it to bear in our lives through those who have loved us in His name. As we live in the fullness of Christ's love and salvation, we are filled with joy and we no longer hunger and thirst spiritually in Him. As He is the bread of life in our lives, we heed His call to us and share that bread of life with others each day. By God's grace we are compelled by faith to obey Jesus' calling to "feed My lambs; feed My sheep" so that many may come to Him for forgiveness. With all the troubles that this world is facing, the hatred, pain, despair, and myriad maladies and disregard for the welfare of others, the only true answer, the only sure solution, is for us to share Jesus with everyone and thus fulfill our calling from Jesus to "Feed My Sheep."

Prayer: Father, You have called me into the marvelous light of Your grace and have fed me with Your Word and Spirit, so that I might be filled with Your peace no matter the circumstances of life I might face. All over the world, however, gracious Father, people are suffering from physical, mental, and spiritual malnutrition. Terrorism, genocide, and just plain homelessness and hunger face countless of Your dear children - the "sheep" that Jesus died for. Forgive me for so often ignoring the needs of others and failing to share both physical and spiritual food and others of Your blessings with them. Help me to be more aware of Your call to me through Jesus to be feeding "Your lambs" and "Your sheep" so they might know Your love in Christ and receive, by faith, Your forgiveness and love, hope and peace. Let me be ready and eager at all times to bear witness to Your promise of heaven for all who believe, so that no one ever misses hearing about Jesus from me when the opportunities arise. Hear my prayer, gracious Father, and send Your Spirit upon me in abundant measure. In Christ's most holy and precious name I pray. Amen.
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--Pastor Boeck

Copyright © 2007 by Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Today 11th March I received an email showing a great feast and the mountains of food used and wasted for a party. The email continued with photos of the emaciated starving of the world and the dead, like stick insects, no flesh on their bones. I looked on the internet and found this devotion for today, which is so apt. Thank you for this uplifting and encouraging thought. I am sending the email on and hope that friends will give to feed our dear Lord's lambs and sheep.God bless from Cecilia in Orpington Kent England.