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Fish, Feed, Follow Brother David Green

it doubtful and separates us from our God who now may show His displeasure to us
(Isa. 59:2). Every remembrance of sin, even pardoned sin, renews the sorrow of a
truly penitent heart. Jesus then charges Peter to “feed my lambs” and poses the ques-

tion twice more, “feed my sheep.” Peter finally solemnly appeals to Christ as He who
knows all things, even the secret things of the heart, to reckon the truth of his love for
the Savior. It is good to beseech the Lord who knows the hearts of all men (Acts 1:24)

to examine and prove us to make us more humbled and caring of the love He has
given. No one is qualified to feed the lambs and sheep of God who does not love him
more than all. This being true, then the first and great calling of the minister, is to feed
His sheep and lambs. This is vital to the spiritual well-being of the saints and was the
great duty of the Apostles’ commission (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15). If God’s

people are not fed by the preaching and ministering of the gospel a famine of soul will
be found. Be sure, though, it is the duty and blessing of all saints to feed one another
through edification (1Thess. 5:11; Rom. 14:19). Thus, thrice the Lord demands the

focus of Peter to feed His beloved people whom he purchased with great price.

Emphatically, and almost suddenly, Jesus begins to reveal to Peter the long generation
of his service to God and what type of death he would experience (vss. 18,19).
Christ’s love to His saints is so comprehensive that even their death is a thing highly

esteemed (Psa. 116:15). For this, His kindness and mercy are especially interposed.
Knowing Peter would die the horrific death of the crucifixion, the Lord who has
power over death to remove its sting (1Cor. 15:55), both from the knowledge of its

coming and the actual experience, does exactly this for Peter. It may appear at first a
harsh thing that Jesus revealed to Peter’s mind the type of death he would die so many
years in advance. But, see how instantly the Balm of Gilead is applied: “This spake
(Christ), signifying by what death (Peter) should glorify God” (vs.19). The promised
antidote is greater than the disease; Peter now knows for a certainty that his death will

glorify God and he will be present with the Lord forever more upon that occasion.
Now, more than ever before, the servant is prepared to obey his Master’s call; to feed
the sheep all his remaining years and to “follow thou me” in life, through death, and

to glory.

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