Our Daily Bread: Lead Like the ShepherdSample

Feed My Sheep

“Take care of my sheep,” Jesus said. -John 21:16

In a lecture in 1911, Oswald Chambers reflected on being a young shepherd in the highlands of Scotland: “When you have to carry across your shoulders a dirty old [goat] and bring it down the mountainside, you will soon know whether shepherding is poetry or not.”

He didn’t want to romanticize this form of labor as “poetry” but rather called it “the most taxing, the most exhausting and the most exasperating work.” The hard work of shepherding people is what Jesus entrusted to Peter, for the disciple would face criticism, misunderstanding, and other challenges in caring for His flock.

Chambers reflected, “To whom did He say, ‘Feed My lambs?’

To Peter. Who was Peter? A very wayward sheep.”

Even though Peter had denied knowing Jesus (see John 18:15-27), Jesus met Peter on the beach and lovingly restored him in front of the other disciples (21:15-19).

Peter’s bitter experience taught him how to be tender and watchful over Christ’s sheep. Having received the Holy Spirit, he was ready for the toil and joys of being a shepherd to people.

Like Peter, we may have failed Jesus through denials, wrongdoing, selfishness, or pride.

But He seeks us out and forgives us, just as He did Peter. He restores us and gives us a new commission—helping us care for those we lead as well as others. As we follow Christ, we share our love for Him with all.

Amy Boucher Pye

How do you think Peter felt while eating the bread and fish Jesus prepared for him? How do you react when you’re extended love and forgiveness?

Dear Jesus, You said we’d face trials in life. Please give me strength to keep trusting You in the hard times.