An Updated Rerun Series
Click on following links for earlier articles: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11, Part 12, Part 13, Part 14, Part 15 and Part 16.
…Feed My Sheep (John 21:17 NKJ)
It’s interesting to note that John recorded the intimate discourse between Jesus and Peter when the “Feed My sheep” quotation was spoken, but Mark did not. Supposedly, Mark received most of his information from Peter; and yet, Peter must have chosen to remain silent about this particular conversation.
Now, wouldn’t you think one of the apostles chosen as the foundation for the church would have mentioned such an important quotation as this? After all, it provides the basis for which all of our modern American traditional churches revolve around: the pastor’s sermon.
Yet, Peter does eventually provide insight into the “Feed My sheep” theme.
Shepherd [or Feed in the King James Version]the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by constraint but willingly, not for dishonest gain, but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but be examples to the flock. (1 Peter 5: 2-3 NKJ)
When did Peter first hear about not being a lord over believers and being an example to them instead? It was on one of those days when the disciples were arguing over which of them should be considered the greatest.
But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. Yet, it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. (Mark 10: 42-45 NKJ)
Maybe you’re thinking, “So what?”
But once again, you have to take off your rose-colored glasses and ask some interesting questions, like: How can there possibly be a separation between clergy and laity if no believer is supposed to lord – or exercise authority – over other believers? Isn’t that exactly what clergy are supposed to do?
And how can the modern pastor be an example to a congregation when he (or she) is standing behind a pulpit preaching a sermon and the passive believers can not do likewise? Or should all the pews be removed and everyone be allowed to have their own pulpit to stand behind, awaiting a turn to speak?
Doesn’t it seem that our traditional church system consisting of clergy, laity and sermons falls apart when it is lined up with scriptures?
(Continued in Part 18)
Larry Who 
This is really interesting! Wouldn’t it be something if we all were to stand up and share what He asked us to at church each time we met? How often have we seen the Holy Spirit coordinate posts between us here on the internet? Thanks!
Mankind by his lazy fleshly nature actually prefers to be led by some other person, rather than take personal responsibility for his life. We desire, no we demand someone to lead us, an look after us.
(Incidentally this is the root of the welfare state as practiced in the UK and as intended by Obama)
This is just as true in the church as the world.
What did the Israelites demand of Samuel (1 Kings 8 etc)?
“GIVE US A KING, LIKE ALL THE NATIONS!”
God identified their clear attitude, “…..THEY HAVE REJECTED ME, that I should not reign over them.”
God warned them clearly what would be the evil consequences of this foolish idea. However their rebellious and determined response to God was.–
“Nay but WE WILL have a king over us, that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.”
This is complete abdication of a personal responsibility to God.
It is no difference with Christians. They demand a strong leader to tell them what to do and to fight their battles for them. They can then just get on with their lives and leave it up to the Pastor.
They have rejected God from reigning over them in favour of a King, a Pastor!
A key is given in the phrase ‘like all the nations”.
Why do Christians want to make their church like the nations? Didn’t God say that we were nothing like the nations, we are peculiar, set apart etc.
For us, the “nations” can be likened to every institution of mankind. The ALL NEED hierarchical government because there is no other way that directions can be passed downwards and information passed upwards.
A worldly institution has no other choice about this, unless its Boss is omniscient and all powerful. This Boss would also need a direct personal presence in all his peoples’ lives, so they could each know his will without someone else purporting to be his representative.
The Boss would of course also have to be very forgiving because they would frequently get it wrong as they grew up into this crazy notion.
I wonder if such a unique organism is possible on earth?
What say the Christians?
I shall have to ask the Pastor for that one!
Debbie,
Thanks. I look forward to the day when Ephesians 4:16 is fulfilled, especially “according to the proper working of each individual part.”
Frank,
As usual, you have hit the nail on the head. As Pogo said about thirty years ago, “We looked for the enemy and discovered it was us.”
We individual Christians must desire change before it will happen.
Loved Frank’s comment!
Pingback: My Journey Out (Part 18) « Larry Who