"Feed my lambs...Feed my sheep." A look at John 21: 15-17

[Jacob Ben Avraham]

FEED MY LAMBS……FEED MY SHEEP!    A LOOK AT  JOHN  21:15-17
 

     Before we look at these verses, we need to understand the background and the prior events.  Yeshua had been crucified and now, resurrected.  This was the third time He appeared to his Talmidim (disciples) after leaving the Garden Tomb.  

     Here they are, fishing all night on the Sea of Galilee, at times it is called the Sea of Tiberius.  They had caught nothing, and then, who should appear on the shore with a small fire and roast fish but Yeshua Himself.  We all know the story, he told them to cast the net on the right side of the boat, and they caught many fishes.  153 to be exact.  Why is the number 153 mentioned?  It is for a reason that it is mentioned.  Here is one idea or an understanding of why 153?  

     Yeshua is Elohim in the flesh.  God on earth who revealed himself by “making bare His Holy Arm” revealing himself to the world, as the Second Adam.  Who else would be able to do all those miracles?  Yeshua is making an important statement;  “Ani Elohim” Hebrew for “I AM God”  I Hebrew gematria, the words “Ani Elohim” add up to 153!  Here He might have been saying:  “Only Elohim can make 153 fishes swim into the net all at once.” 

     The John knew at once it was Yeshua by the statement:   “It is the LORD.”  When they got to the shore, they all had roast fish for breakfast.  Now, this is when Yeshua turned to Kefa and commenced the conversation: 

     “Simon Bar Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?”  He said unto him,  “Yes LORD, thou knowest that I love thee.”  Yeshua responded; “Feed my lambs.”  He said unto him the second time; “Simon Bar Jonas, lovest thou me?” and Kefa responded;  “Yea LORD, thou knowest that I love thee.”  And Yeshua responded;  “Feed my sheep.”   Yeshua asked him a third time;  “Simon Bar Jonas, lovest thou me?”  and this time, Kefa felt grieved that Yeshua would ask him a third time the same question.  He answered;   “LORD, thou knowest all things, thou knowest that I love thee.”  Yeshua replied;  “Feed my sheep.” 

    We can ask ourselves the following questions;  “Why did Yeshua ask Kefa the same question three times?”

      Why did Kefa feel grieved after the third time? Well, I don’t blame him.  If your husband or wife asked that question three times,  you would probably feel strange inside, as if he or she didn’t believe you.   

     One idea is that in the Greek language, which was the accepted and popular language at that time, there are three words for “love;”   Eros, Filos, Agape.  The “physical love” the “friendship love”  (like a kid would “love” his favorite toy, or a goldfish in a bowl, or chocolate kisses) and then “Agape” which is how God loves us, the purest love ever.   

     Perhaps, what Yeshua was asking Kefa;  “Kefa, do you “agape” me?”  and he was responding “I “filos” you.

     Yeshua was looking for the purest form of love from Kefa.  I doubt that they were speaking Greek though.  In Hebrew, the word for love is “Ahavah”  with the verb form “Ahav” Hebrew is generalized, while Greek is very specific.    I think that Adonai wants the purest form of love from us as well.  After all, He gave up his life for us and paid our sin debt in full.  

     The second question;  Yeshua first said to “feed my sheep” then “feed my lambs.”  Isn’t that the same animal?  Yes, it is.  The difference is that a “lamb” is a baby sheep under a year old.  A sheep is one year old and older, in other words, a mature sheep.  

     We know that these statements are not “Peshat” (literal) but “derashic” (moral and spiritual) and we could also say “symbolic” as well.  The mission of the Talmidim, as well as for ALL believers is to share, teach the Word of God to all who would listen.  The “lambs” are likened unto “young believers in the faith” those who have just been “born again” and are feeding off of the “milk of the Word.”  The “sheep” being those who are more mature in the faith, they also need to learn more.  Teaching and learning is a life-long calling, It is a “never-ending” mission.  Adonai would want that “all believers graduate from “lambs” to “sheep.”  This was one of Rav Shaul’s complaint, that some believers were still drinking “milk” when they should be eating “meat”,  That some believers were contented to remain lambs instead of growing up and becoming sheep. 

    Yeshua is telling Kefa;  “Go out and teach, disciple those who know very little of my Word, and to those who are already founded in my Word.”  We also must go find both the “lambs” and the “sheep” in God’s family.  Finally, Yeshua says in verse 19;  “follow me!”  

     If we are to follow Yeshua, we need to follow His commandments, be faithful in teaching those young in the faith those who are mature.  There is always something new to learn in God’s Word.  

 

Shalom... Ben Avraham 

[Whyme]

I dont see the significance of the different forms of love because even the Pharisees had agape love. They loved the best seats. I dont see that as Godly love. I think the hidden meaning of that scripture, if there is one, may be lost. At least i haven't heard a good explanation of it yet anyway.

[TheBlade]

Yes Jesus was calling for a higher kind of love, and to KEEP feeding

Ah PRAISE GOD GLORY TO JESUS! 

 

[Aries2020]

Greetings,

When Jesus appeared to the disciples on the beach and spoke with Peter that was a defining and reassuring moment that Jesus rectified in Peters Life. John 21.3-19

When we read the gospel of Luke, we see what happened when Jesus met Peter, Jesus asked Peter if he would mind pushing his boat out a little so he could address and teach the people.

To show his gratitude and obviously to recruit Peter, Jesus said let your net down for a catch and as Peter obeyed Jesus, he catches so much fish that he realises a miracle has happened and that Jesus must be a prophet so he falls down before him believing he’s not deserving or worthy of his gift and says leave or abandoned me Lord for I am a sinner. Luke 5.1-11

But Jesus said to Peter from now on you will be fishers’ men, or you will win men for the kingdom of God.

As you know Peter’s history, he loved Jesus, and would always comment, ask questions, or give something a try.

At one point Jesus warned Peter that satan had desired to sift him as wheat, and that his faith would not fail him and when he was converted that he would strengthen or encourage his brethren. Luke 22.31-32

Jesus also said Peter would deny him 3 times, which Peter reassured him was not possible.

Unfortunately, when Jesus was taken to the council and Peter followed him, Peter denied Jesus 3 times and in the gospel of Luke it said Jesus looked at Peter after he denied him and then Peter wept bitterly or inconsolably. Luke 22-61

Then after Jesus resurrection in the gospel of Mark, the angel that appeared said go and tell his disciples and Peter that he is risen, Peter was one of the disciples but because he had denied Jesus, he couldn’t forgive himself and felt condemned and guilty.

So, the angel a messenger of God, passed on God’s message to let Peter know he was forgiven and that’s why the angel included and Peter to reassure Peter it was ok.

We know Jesus appears to the disciples over 40 days and then ascends into heaven and sits down on the right-hand side of God, but we don’t hear any more about Peter.

The next time Peter speaks, is in the gospel of John is when he says I go a fishing what Peter is contemplating is he’s going back to his former lifestyle. John 21.5-7

Then Jesus appears on the beach, and says to his disciples have you caught anything?

They say no and he says cast your net on the right side, reminding the disciples of his first encounter with them and one of them recognises it and says to Peter it is the Lord.

Peter walked on water and began to sink and Jesus saved him, and now Peter jumps in the water and makes his way to the beach and Jesus will restore him again.  

They eat and relax and 3 times Jesus asks Peter if he loves him, because 3 times Peter denied Jesus so each time, he asked him.

Peter responds by saying yes Lord, then Jesus reminds Peter to care nurture and minister to the needs of the young mature and elderly in Christ and then concludes by saying follow my example and when you die you will glorify me.

This is when Peter was converted or made the same again and in acts 1 Peter stood up and strengthen or encouraged his brethren by summarising the events that had taken place and how they had to replace Judas so they could wait for the promise of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2.15-26

Two of the brethren were recommended, and Matthias and was added to the eleven apostles. amen

Edited April 27, 2021 by Aries2020