What Will We Feed Those Sheep?A Sermon Given by Dawn Lozer, UTS Student Intern You'll recall last week Marc Blakesley came to the defense of "doubting" Thomas. We've all had doubts when we might have been more faithful. In our anxiety or worry we might stop to ask, "What if...?" Our faith helps us respond, "Nevertheless." This week I find myself defending another disciple, Simon Peter – Peter who denied Jesus three times when confronted about being one of his followers. In our text this morning, Jesus asks Peter three times, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" It is as if Jesus is offering redemption to Peter for each of his three denials. And each time, although growing more hurt by the question, Peter responds, "Yes Lord, you know that I love you." With each affirmation, Jesus offers instruction: "Feed my lambs ... tend my sheep... feed my sheep." Peter, the fisherman, is asked to become a shepherd! Notice he did not respond or even ask Jesus what he meant; but, how is a fisherman to respond to the task of becoming a shepherd? What will he feed those sheep? Even metaphorically this was a daunting call. Jesus simply said, "Follow me." Even after death... Jesus invited Peter, "follow me." Peter had quite an interesting history with Jesus. At times he was the naïve, bungling, excitable, even comical, disciple – and this is what I love about him. He was a very human disciple, and I can relate to him. So what can we learn from Peter, the childlike disciple, who upon recognizing Jesus, his Shepherd, quickly clothed his nakedness and jumped into the sea? Lesson #1 from Peter: Be yourself – you are worthy just as you are. You have something to contribute from your own unique and genuine spirit. You do not need to hide your naked vulnerability, and you don't need to run away. Know that you can be a shepherd – or anything else. Offer your personal integrity and knowledge – whatever you uniquely bring to your vocation. Peter remained Peter as he grew spiritually, and he developed into a leader who was trusted and respected. There's something about authenticity that can't be outshined. We know that Simon and his brother Andrew were disciples of John the Baptist, and Andrew took Simon to see Jesus, at which time Jesus gave Simon his new name, Cephas, or Peter – meaning "rock." We don't learn of its significance until later, and so Peter went back to fishing after this – until the day Jesus sought refuge on Peter's boat from a crowd of followers. Lesson #2 of Peter: Don't analyze every little detail. All will be revealed in its time. Accept graciously what is offered, and allow life to unfold as it should without forcing an outcome. Simon accepted his new name, Peter, and went back to work. Give yourself space and time to prepare for change. Back to our fishermen – Peter, Andrew, John and James hadn't had any luck fishing that day, so after speaking with the crowd, Jesus instructed them to cast their net again – and it was abundantly filled. Jesus invited all four fishermen to follow him – to become fishers of men; Peter and Andrew immediately accepted the call, and James and John soon followed. This acceptance, openness, and response, is something we grow to expect from Peter. He rarely stops to think or question; he acts – or responds. Lesson #3: Be open to the call, and respond when you hear it... maybe not immediately... but respond. Allow a call to rest on your shoulders for awhile before cloaking yourself in it. Gain clarity. The call of Jesus to Peter ultimately was "feed my sheep," and this soon became Peter's mission and ministry – to build the church, feeding many lost sheep. Once, during a violent storm, Peter witnessed Jesus walking on the water and thought it was a pretty cool trick, so he eagerly asked to join him. Jesus said, "Come." Peter stepped out of the boat and onto the water – there was something so innocent and trusting about Peter's faith. How many of us would do the same? But when Peter became frightened of the storm he started to sink, and cried out to Jesus to save him. Jesus took him by the hand and guided him back to the boat. What a tender and caring moment between the Shepherd and the lost sheep. An awestruck Peter then declared Jesus the Son of God. Peter's Lesson #4: Show excitement, eagerness, willingness – be willing to try new things. It's risky, but it'll all work out in the end if you're receptive. Yes, you may be led where you didn't want to go – and you might just leave your mediocre fishing business to become a legendary shepherd. Jesus once asked Peter, "Who do you say I am?" Peter responded, "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God." Why, of course – Peter knew the answer. Did Jesus even need to ask? But Jesus used this question to shift the focus, as he declared, "You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church." Who expected this? In his way, Jesus accepted Peter's claim about himself, by also making a claim about Peter's significance. What is a Shepherd without sheep? Peter was somebody; he, too, would be important. However, he still had much to learn... Peter's Lesson #5: Find a worthy mentor. When you look up to someone, it's usually because he or she embodies traits you naturally identify with or admire. Choose to live up to this person. Learn from him or her, and be pleasantly surprised when you say or do something from which that person can learn as well. Teachers often learn from their students. When Jesus foretold of his own suffering and death, Peter dreaded the thought of any harm coming to Jesus and made his wish known, "Be it far from you, Lord." And Jesus rebuked his words as those of Satan. Peter had much to learn about the risks of shepherding. Peter's Lesson #6: Hope and pray all goes well, but when danger, risk or discomfort are imminent, remain in the struggle. It is through struggling that we grow and develop into stronger persons. Don't seek the miracle or quick fix. Live through the struggle, trusting God to bring resurrection out of death and loss. Peter, John and James witnessed Jesus' transfiguration on the mountain, where they also heard the voice of God – and were instructed to tell no one. Lesson #7: Use discernment – and be patient. There is a time and place for revelation. It was Peter who hesitated to let Jesus wash his feet until Jesus said to him, "If I do not wash you, then you will have no part of me." Peter immediately wanted both his hands and his head washed – he was eager to follow Jesus and be a part of him. Lesson #8:We are interconnected.Sometimes receiving is the more selfless act than giving. There is a time to serve and a time to give others the opportunity to serve. It's humbling possibly... and it's a sacred gift to graciously accept the service of others. Peter declared he would never deny Jesus; then Jesus foretold Peter's denial – denial that is engrained in our memories of him. Lesson #9: The shepherd does not abandon his flock, even in the face of danger. If you have passion for your work and love for your flock, it will show in your commitment. Our scripture ends with Jesus inviting Peter to follow him. As Peter starts this journey, however, he notices the disciple Jesus loved following them at a distance. He stops Jesus to ask, "What about him?" Jesus brings the focus back to Peter, telling him not to concern himself with the other disciple, and again beckons him, "Follow me!" Lesson #10: The body of Christ is made up of many parts, each with its own purpose. Follow your own call and purpose. Another's purpose is not your concern; however, working in harmony to keep the body healthy is the concern of all. There's no pecking order. Even though Peter went on to do as Jesus instructed... he fed the lambs, and tended and fed the sheep of God... we remember his denial. Why? Maybe because we can relate, and also maybe because there was a reversal in his future: there was forgiveness. Peter was human and frightened; and in that moment he did the very thing he said he would never do – and he was forgiven. His relationship with Jesus was restored. This grace I'm sure brought a renewed spirit within him. Ultimately Jesus asked Peter to demonstrate his love, and that brings us to... Lesson #11: Feed the sheep. Shepherds carry great responsibility and significance, and sheep know their shepherd's voice; they follow the shepherd. Peter's learning did not stop there, though. Worthy as his service was, the story of Peter and the church does not end with Peter alone building the church. Life continues to bring change and opportunities. Jesus had foretold of a time when sheep coming from the outside would be drawn into the fold, to create one fold, with one shepherd. And Peter eventually learned from Paul that this is a good thing! The world was offered compassion, healing and hope by many shepherds. Lesson #12: Remain open to the spirit of God in others, and to the new opportunities they bring with them. What you bring to your work is not diminished one iota by the callings, gifts or passions of others! Remembering that our own imperfections have not erased any of our own abilities, let's look beyond what we believe others lack, to focus on their unique contributions – the gifts that only they can bring. Reflecting back on Peter's life we realize that before we can charge ahead to feed those sheep, we first need to feed ourselves. We need time to become, to develop, and to grow in faith. To feed others, we need knowledge of those others – and great love for them. We must come to this work from a position of wholeness, strength and compassion. It takes inner strength to be consistently yourself; strength of character not to fret over the details; strength to become or remain open, yet wait for clarity before responding; strength to show enthusiasm and desire to try something new. It takes inner strength to humble yourself enough to allow someone to mentor you, someone you can live up to. It takes strength and care to stay in the struggle when times get hard, and inner strength and patience to discern a proper course of action. From a position of inner strength we can afford others the opportunities to develop and grow. It takes strength to stand by your flock under all circumstances... and knowledge and care to feed them. Having learned and done these things, the Shepherd's voice is not only recognized – but trusted – by the flock. The sheep follow the shepherd; they do not look back. Through his very human and passionate responses, Peter opened himself up, set his ego aside, and gained the knowledge and insights necessary to feed God's sheep. Peter spent time observing and learning from his mentor. He witnessed how Jesus removed himself from the crowd to nurture and renew himself before addressing and feeding them. Peter knew how and what to feed the sheep by traveling with the Shepherd. Because Jesus took the time to understand their needs, he knew what to food to provide for the flock to gain physical and spiritual health and well-being. Jesus didn't treat strangers casually or greet them with suspicion; he regarded them with great care and compassion. He welcomed them. He healed them. He offered them hope with his message of God's unconditional and perfect love. To the Shepherd, each sheep is precious, so if any one is lost, the Shepherd leaves the flock to gather that one back into the fold. This is what Peter was called to do; today, this is we are called to do. If a fisherman can become a shepherd – there's still hope for us! May it be so. |