Eating fish and feeding 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." John 21:15

Eating freshly caught fish is something of which I never tire. I think it reminds me of this scripture where Jesus appeared to the disciples after His resurrection while they were fishing in the Sea of Galilee. He is sitting around the fire after a bumper catch, having prepared a meal of fish and bread. It is there that He brings Peter to redemption by asking him to confirm three times (the same number of times Peter denied Jesus) if Peter loved him. Each time Peter confirmed that he in fact did love him, Jesus directed Peter to “Feed my lambs.” Sometimes the problem with feeding lambs is that they tend to wander off and get lost, and they don’t know or care that they are lost. Jesus related many parables of gathering lost sheep.

During our Sunday morning worship around the campfire, on that little island in the middle of Namakan River, Ontario, Canada, Pastor Jim challenged us to consider what factors keep us from relating our faith to our “lost lamb” brothers. For a few moments all that could be heard was the sound of the falls adjacent to our campsite, and then one by one the men began to share their thoughts, fears, and concerns. Some expressed what many including myself have felt, that we fear being intrusive into another’s “business.”

We were reminded of the family we found in the river, capsized, freezing and bewildered. We thought of how they were so far gone they couldn’t even ask for help, and perhaps had no idea how badly they needed it. Our instinct is to separate those who we observe are in grave need of help and those who appear to be ok. The difficulty is in knowing if there’s a need or not. And the reality is the only way to find out is through relationships; getting involved with guys in ways which go beyond surface pleasantries to becoming a trusted friend who can probe and seek wounds for which we have the solution; a relationship with Christ. Eating fish and feeding lambs, two of my favorite things to do.

Bless you brothers, live this day in peace, in His Word.