I did not know "Aunt Maudie" personally, but I heard about how she would preach the word of God to the people. Now she is older, but she can still be heard giving praises to God. She loved God's people because she was willing to feed them as long as she could. Her family beside her is a testimony of what she planted in their lives. Whose life are you planting in?Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." - Matthew 28:18-20
Feed my Sheep. Go make Disciples. Jesus asked Peter a vital question, do you love me? His words to Peter were, then feed my sheep. Today's, scripture tells us how Jesus calls for his followers to go about feeding his sheep.
Jesus tells his disciples that they have God's power and authority. To have the power and authority of God means that as followers of Christ, nothing can stop you from fulfilling the purpose of God. Even though things in life may seem to have us defeated, Jesus tells us otherwise. We cannot be defeated. The devil, however tries to make us think we are and in doing so, we give up our victory. Because the disciples have the power of God, Jesus tells them to do something.
What Jesus tells them to do is to go and gather others. In fact Jesus is telling them go and do what I have done for you. I brought you to myself. I walked with you, I taught you. When you asked me to teach you to pray, I taught you how. When you were unsure of things, I took time and explained them to you. I never casted you away from me, instead I walked with you, prayed for you and equipped you for the place of leadership that I am now calling you to.
This is one of the things Jesus is calling us to. When he ask, do you love me and then tells us to feed his sheep, he is telling us to go and equip others to be followers of Christ. You and I do not save anyone, but when we present the word of God to them, his Spirit will convict the heart. when he does, then it is our responsiblity to invest in them so that they too can go and do likewise.
We feed God's sheep by teaching them the truth of God's word. If we do not teach God's word, we leave God's sheep defenseless against the "wolves" that would come and try to snatch them away from the shepherd.
Today, Lord help us to show you we love you by teaching others the truth about your word. Help us show our love for your sheep by presenting to them the shepherd so they no longer have to be wondering sheep, without a shepherd to guide them.
