Why did Jesus command Peter to "feed" His sheep? - Sheep are grazing animals. ???
- Thread starter St. SteVen
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Pardon the interruption, but why would you TELL someone they made your Ignore List, rater than simply ignoring them?
Davy
Well-Known Member
So they won't wonder why I'm not replying to their posts directed at me anymore. So now, I will add you to my LIST.
Why would you care what an ignoree wonders about?
face2face
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Positive threads can sometimes feel like a rarity in online spaces. This one offered some good insights into the responsibilities of disciples to their Master. It's sad the controversial threads seem to go on and on while the positive reinforcing OP's tend to fade rather quickly.
This was a good one, thank you all! And thank you St Steven for starting it...
F2F
This was a good one, thank you all! And thank you St Steven for starting it...
F2F
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And Peter said Jesus is God! Peter said, "Lord you know ALL THINGS"!
Amen Peter! And F2F admitted she's an unbeliever!
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Disciples are like lamb and sheep, until one takes the office of Apostle, Bishop, Pastor or Prophet, to lead the flocks. Jesus was preparing Peter that after His departure, Peter will take leadership over the Apostles and church.
Even Paul the Apostle consulted Peter in the matters of the Gentles, for him to give an answer. Moreover he even wrote epistles to the churches, where is apparently feeding and tending to the lambs and sheep.
Shalom in the name of Jesus
Good post, thanks.
Point to consider: James, the brother of Jesus, was appointed head of the church at Jerusalem.
I don't think Peter was the rock that the church was to be built on.
Why would you build a church on a fallible human?
The rock was the realization that Christ was the Messiah.
Matthew 16:16-19 NIV
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah,
for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.
18 And I tell you that you are Peter,[a] and on this rock I will build my church,
and the gates of Hades[b] will not overcome it.
19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven;
whatever you bind on earth will be[c] bound in heaven,
and whatever you loose on earth will be[d] loosed in heaven.”
--- COMPARE ---
Note: The authority to bind and loose was given to all believers.
Not just Peter.
Matthew 18:18-19 NIV
“Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be[a] bound in heaven,
and whatever you loose on earth will be[b] loosed in heaven.
19 “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for,
it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.
[
Lambano
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As an unrepentant punster myself, I should point out that "Peter" ("Petros") is a play on the Greek word "petra", a rock. (From which we get the word "petrafied".) The pun points to Peter.
But Jesus actually used the Aramaic word "Kephas"; see John 1:42, also Galatians 2:9 and several places in 1 Corinthians. So why don't we have a "St. Kephas's Basilica" or "St. Kephasburg", Florida?
face2face
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Context not provided by scriptures
Ok....
Regardless of what people in the USA or UK or even New Zealand think about shepherding...shepherding in the Ancient Near East was a LOT different in some ways than modern shepherding.
For one thing....fields of alfalfa belly deep for the sheep is not "green pastures". Nor are those "fields" all that flat...they are sloped rocky hillsides with ancient paths traveled for centuries by the sheep.
These rocks gather heavy amounts of Dew which waters the grass. (Area is below sea level but has very little rain) The hillsides are not green as we think of them...but in comparison to the surrounding desert area...it's green.
Shepherding was (and still is) a task for children and not adults.
Shepherds did not use trained dogs to herd the sheep. (Dogs would have been another mouth to feed...children are more than sufficient)
Which brings up David's prolific songwriting capabilities he developed while shepherding as a child.
Shepherds talk or sing constantly to the sheep while they are grazing from a high ground vantage point. This tells the sheep where to go and to continue moving forward or wherever to continue grazing....one mouthful at a time...one step at a time.
This is what Jesus was telling Peter to do. Not provide water for the grass...but to feed the sheep by talking to them constantly. (Since Peter couldn't sing that well)
He couldn't "run and hide" when things got difficult. He had a whole flock of sheep to feed and herd them away from the wolves and dogs that from his vantage point he was to watch for.
Ok....
Regardless of what people in the USA or UK or even New Zealand think about shepherding...shepherding in the Ancient Near East was a LOT different in some ways than modern shepherding.
For one thing....fields of alfalfa belly deep for the sheep is not "green pastures". Nor are those "fields" all that flat...they are sloped rocky hillsides with ancient paths traveled for centuries by the sheep.
These rocks gather heavy amounts of Dew which waters the grass. (Area is below sea level but has very little rain) The hillsides are not green as we think of them...but in comparison to the surrounding desert area...it's green.
Shepherding was (and still is) a task for children and not adults.
Shepherds did not use trained dogs to herd the sheep. (Dogs would have been another mouth to feed...children are more than sufficient)
Which brings up David's prolific songwriting capabilities he developed while shepherding as a child.
Shepherds talk or sing constantly to the sheep while they are grazing from a high ground vantage point. This tells the sheep where to go and to continue moving forward or wherever to continue grazing....one mouthful at a time...one step at a time.
This is what Jesus was telling Peter to do. Not provide water for the grass...but to feed the sheep by talking to them constantly. (Since Peter couldn't sing that well)
He couldn't "run and hide" when things got difficult. He had a whole flock of sheep to feed and herd them away from the wolves and dogs that from his vantage point he was to watch for.
i thank you very much for your kind reply and i perceive your points based on what is visible on the surface. But i have to disagree your thoughts on Peter and James, and rather scripturally point them out.
Every church from Jerusalem to outside of Jerusalem, were established by Jesus and His chosen 13 Apostles. James is not included even during Jesus' time nor participated in all the proceedings. Since he was in disbelieve and stayed home, and only to believe way later, witnessing him in the book of Acts.
James was put in leadership of the Jerusalem church, probably because he is the Lord's brother and everyone knows him. That doesn't change the fact that Peter is the chosen and ordained by GOD through Lord Jesus Christ. In the presence of all the chosen disciples, Jesus was only proclaiming the ordination of Peter.
Who will take office after His departure and after the descending of the Holy Ghost upon him. Jesus changed his name from Simon to Peter, as Jacob He changed to Israel, which served His purpose. Peter meaning 'rock', Jesus declaring in the presence of all the disciples, and on this 'rock' i will build My church. Hence also handing him over the 'key' accessible to Heaven, where Peter decides in the matters of the Kingdom of GOD here on earth.
He decides to all the things that are requested or not requested, and he will reach a verdict. To whatever Peter allow or let loose here on earth for the kingdom of GOD, it'll be officially approved and granted from Heaven. And to whatever He disallow or bind here on earth not for the Kingdom of GOD, it'll be officially disapproved and rejected from Heaven.
Next, when He instructed Mary Magdalene to tell His chosen disciples to meet at Galilee, He mentioned to her, 'especially Peter'. Why? This is because Peter is a chosen significant figure and a significant role He's going to undertake, after Christ's departure. Even at Galilee, Jesus focused on Peter asking him three times, whether Peter truly loved Him. Finishing by even Jesus instructed only him, to feed His lambs, tend to His sheep and feed His sheep.
And, that's why during Paul's visit in Jerusalem to consult Peter the matters of Gentiles. Hence, James and Paul at first disputed about the do and don't in regards the Gentiles, while Peter was present. In the end only Peter decided about the dos and don'ts, the Gentiles shall observe and abide, and likewise Paul left with that, period
Shalom in the name of Jesus Christ
MA2444
Well-Known Member
This is a good story from John 21 (15-22) and makes for a great topic.
Remember? Jesus asked Peter 3 times, do you love me? Yes. Feed my sheep. Do you love me? Yes Lord. Feed my sheep. Do you love me? Peter was getting irratated by that time! Yeah Lord you know I love thee...!! Feed my sheep!
So why did Jesus do that three times?! Do you love me?
I (suspect) that it may have something to do with Peter denying Jesus three times?!
Did Peter's 3 denials that he spoke carry a sort of spiritual weight which needed countered?
Did Peter's 3 declarations of Love to Jesus cancel out the 3 bad denials' that Peter made?
Something like that? There's something behind that that's significant I feel. Jesus already knew Peter loved Him. But I think He needed Peter to say it 3 times.
Remember? Jesus asked Peter 3 times, do you love me? Yes. Feed my sheep. Do you love me? Yes Lord. Feed my sheep. Do you love me? Peter was getting irratated by that time! Yeah Lord you know I love thee...!! Feed my sheep!
So why did Jesus do that three times?! Do you love me?
I (suspect) that it may have something to do with Peter denying Jesus three times?!
Did Peter's 3 denials that he spoke carry a sort of spiritual weight which needed countered?
Did Peter's 3 declarations of Love to Jesus cancel out the 3 bad denials' that Peter made?
Something like that? There's something behind that that's significant I feel. Jesus already knew Peter loved Him. But I think He needed Peter to say it 3 times.
Because Peter, the Apostolic leader, had denied Jesus 3 times...the denial hurt Jesus's feelings. Jesus wanted Peter to stand firm even unto death. Not be flaky.
The betrayal hurt...a LOT. Understandable and forgivable...but not anymore.
Peter, in a lot of ways, was not a very smart individual. Not very well educated (fisherman/blue collar worker) and now was going to live the life of the leader of apostles without Jesus being there physically.
Jesus knew Peter was going to continue to fail. (Paul and his disagreement) As well as lead brilliantly at times in the face of losing believers (Jews disagreed loudly) due to the inclusion of Gentiles as equal brothers in every respect.
Jesus questioned him 3 times because "coming back" was not and is not supposed to be easy after a denial like this. The sin was grevious and making small of the offense (like we all tend to do) is unacceptable behavior. Just because we are granted forgiveness doesn't mean that it should be treated anything resembling license to sin.
