"He said to him, 'Tend My lambs.' "
John 21:15
Following Peter's expression of love for Jesus, he was commissioned. Jesus transformed a lead fisherman into an under-shepherd with three words.
"Tend My lambs."
In the Kingdom, the mission belongs to Jesus, but the commission belongs to His disciples. Under-shepherds are not owners of the lambs. They are stewards of The Shepherd.
The Shepherd intends for His under-shepherds to tend the lambs that belong to His flock. Those who are most vulnerable are the most valuable. They must be fed, and given over-sight and nourishment. Jesus called a fisherman to step out of his comfort zone and become a herdsman who would bring comfort to His sheep. Peter would never forget his calling.
"Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that He revealed, shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but voluntarily according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory."
1 Peter 5:1-4
Claiming ownership and tending lambs are two different things. Under-shepherds serve as stewards not owners. Faithful shepherds never confuse the two.
Faithful shepherds avoid feeding any hunger for ownership they may have for the flock of God. Anyone who refers to Christ's flock as "My church" is in danger of claiming ownership, and failing to exhibit stewardship. Jesus delegated stewardship of His lambs to Peter, but He never abdicated the ownership of His flock to any man. They all belong to Him.
Jesus questioned Peter's love for Him because his love for Jesus would influence Peter's treatment of His flock. Peter's admission of his love for Jesus would be tested by a commission from Jesus. The measure of Peter's love for Jesus would be proved by the way Peter tended the lambs who belonged to Jesus. There is a huge difference between tending lambs and pretending to be a shepherd. Jesus knows the difference. Make sure you do too.
NOTE TO SELF: Do you love Jesus? Tend His lambs. If you are not tending His lambs, then you are pretending to be His shepherd. Jesus called you to tend, not to pretend. Prayer brings you into The Presence of the Chief Shepherd. When your heart grows cold to the lambs placed under your care, only the Holy Spirit can warm your heart. Don't pretend to care. Tend the lambs who are precious to Jesus. Prayer thaws your heart to tend His lambs.
TALK LESS! PRAY MORE!