Feed My Lambs...

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep." The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep. (John 21:15-17)

There are a tremendous amount of spiritual truths to be learned in this passage of scripture, some of which I am just beginning to understand for the first time. However, I want to focus on the first thing Jesus tells Peter to do after Peter says that he does love Jesus. Jesus tells Peter to "feed [His] Lambs". Many times we see Jesus compare humanity to a flock of sheep, but this may be the only place that he talks specifically about lambs. So, what does Jesus mean?

Is there a difference between a lamb and a sheep - spiritually speaking? Obviously there is because the last thing Jesus asks Peter to do is feed His sheep. Therefore, Jesus must be talking about children and His specific command to Peter and to all Christians to make sure that we are "feeding" our children His Word.

This is so profound to me because in our Lord's 40 days on Earth after His resurrection we only have limited information about what He did and said, yet He took the time to include children in His last conversations with His beloved disciples.

We know from other passages of scripture that children are uniquely special to Jesus (see Matthew 19:13-14). But, here we see a unique command to "feed" them the spiritual truths of God's Word. So, what does this mean for you?

Do you have or have you had children living under your roof? Or do you teach, lead, or care for children in your church? Or has God given you the responsibility of teaching children that are not you own, but are your "spiritual" children? Then you have the privilege and responsibility of "feeding" them the very words of God!

Be encouraged to continue serving in the area of children's ministry, knowing that it was close to the Lord's heart. He sees your service and it brings joy to the heart of God. Every time you serve in the nursery, teach Sunday school, lead children's choir, help in VBS, or serve in any area to help "feed [His] lambs" you are fulfilling this command of our Lord. I pray that we will continue to be faithful to His Word and to our children.