{"id":8832,"date":"2012-07-11T13:00:23","date_gmt":"2012-07-11T17:00:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mintools.com\/blog\/?p=8832"},"modified":"2024-09-30T14:52:17","modified_gmt":"2024-09-30T18:52:17","slug":"shepherding-entrustment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mintools.com\/blog\/shepherding-entrustment.htm","title":{"rendered":"Shepherding Ministry: Entrustment"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Shepherding
\nThree times Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him.\u00a0 When Peter responded that he did, each time Jesus told him that if he loved Him to feed His sheep. In John 21: 15-17, Peter was given an entrustment.<\/p>\n

Entrusted to Shepherd Jesus’ Sheep<\/h2>\n

Peter was a fisherman by trade.\u00a0 When first called, Jesus said, “follow me and I will make you fishers of men” (Matt. 4:19).\u00a0 Now, after three years of discipleship just before Jesus was to leave to go back to heaven, the metaphor changes to shepherding.<\/p>\n

Jesus had previously made reference to sheep in His teaching so the concept was not new to Peter.\u00a0 Remember the parable of the lost sheep in Luke 15 and the rejoicing when it was found?\u00a0 Remember how Jesus referred to Himself as the Good Shepherd, in John 10, who lays down His life for the sheep?\u00a0 He perceived the crowds of people to be “harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matt. 9:36). But of those who belonged to Him, He said, “I know my sheep and my sheep know me” and “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:14, 27).<\/p>\n

All people are like sheep, helpless and prone to wander.\u00a0 Not all sheep, however, belong to HIS fold.\u00a0 Jesus exhorted Peter, “Feed MY sheep.”\u00a0 Just as Jesus “came to seek and to save what was lost” (Lk. 19:10), so Peter would still share the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ.\u00a0\u00a0 But, Jesus had a new assignment for Peter, that of shepherding His flock, the Church Jesus would institute after His ascension to heaven.\u00a0 Peter, one of the early church leaders, was given an entrustment.\u00a0 Jesus would still be THE GOOD SHEPHERD and as seen in 1 Peter 5:4, the CHIEF SHEPHERD.\u00a0 Make no mistake.\u00a0 The sheep belong to Jesus.\u00a0 Peter would be an “under-shepherd.”<\/span><\/p>\n

After Jesus ascended and the church grew, elders were established in the local bodies who were given this same entrustment.\u00a0 Their primary responsibility likewise was shepherding the sheep.\u00a0 Click on this link for a breakdown of 1 Peter 5:1-4<\/span> where this instruction is given:\u00a0 Church Leadership Qualities – Be a Shepherd<\/a><\/p>\n

Into this context we find Jesus first telling Peter “Feed my lambs (arnion)” followed by two instances of “Feed my sheep (probaton).”\u00a0 The original Greek language uses two different words, one meaning young or little lambs and the other signifying what could include more mature animals.<\/p>\n

Lessons from\u00a0John 21:15-17 About the Entrustment Those in a Shepherding Ministry Have Today<\/h2>\n

Jesus communicated a significant reality by using two different words.\u00a0 Not all of HIS sheep would be at the same spiritual growth level.\u00a0 The Church is made of of young converts and those who are further along in their walk.\u00a0 “Feed my lambs.”\u00a0 “Feed my sheep.”\u00a0 They both need to be fed but perhaps a distinction is made because both the feed and the means of feeding could have to be adapted.\u00a0 Little lambs need milk, not solid food (Heb. 5:12-14; 1 Pet. 2:2-3).<\/span><\/p>\n

Questions for today’s under-shepherds:<\/p>\n

Do you understand who it is God has entrusted to your care?<\/p>\n

Do you know the condition of the flock<\/a> entrusted to your care?<\/p>\n

\"Teacher's<\/a>Though written for Bible teachers, the Teacher\u2019s Role in Discipling Students Resource<\/a>, could be of help to anyone involved in feeding His sheep.\u00a0 Through it you will learn:<\/p>\n

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