Annie’s Journal – Written by Annie Warner Donnelly
Hello Everyone. Jesus provided the definition of “disciple” when He said in Luke 6:40, “A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.” What was Jesus training His disciples to do? To become Emmanuel – God with us – like He is? To become the Bread of Life, the King of Kings, the Prince of Peace like He is? No.
In John 10:14-15, Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. I know My own sheep (meaning those people who decide to follow Him), and they know Me as the Father knows Me and I know the Father.” Was Jesus training His disciples to become shepherds like He is? Let’s find out.
In John 21:15-17, we read that after they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My lambs.” Jesus said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Tend My sheep.”
Jesus said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because Jesus said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And He said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.
Peter was asked to feed Jesus’ lambs and to tend and feed His sheep. This is clearly the work of a shepherd. Understanding what he was to do, Peter spent his life telling people about Jesus, making disciples and teaching them to observe all the things that Jesus had taught and commanded. Peter’s life is an example of a disciple of Jesus who became a shepherd of God’s flock.
Are we willing to be trained as Jesus’ disciples were? Do we know someone who would be helped by knowing Jesus? When might we tell that someone about Him? Amen.