At the significant morning meal on the Galilean seaside, so graphically recorded in the twenty-first chapter of John's Gospel, Christ Jesus three times commanded Peter to feed his flock—his lambs and his sheep. It is possible that Peter had this in mind when he later urged his fellow workers, "Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock." I Pet. 5:2, 3;
This command is for everyone, whatever his line of work—governmental, educational, domestic, or religious. In a broad sense, the community is our flock, the nation is our flock, the whole world is our flock. There should be tender care for others instead of selfish disinterest, a desire to protect them, not milk them of their substance, an understanding of their needs rather than callous disregard. A good shepherd is deeply concerned with the welfare of his flock; his first responsibility is to his sheep—to feed them, guide them wisely, and guard them at whatever expense to his personal comfort or convenience.
A poor shepherd is concerned mainly with satisfying and gratifying his own wants; his first care is not for the flock but for himself. The prophet Ezekiel recognized among the leaders of Israel certain unscrupulous men whose appetite for gain was insatiable and whose interest in the flock was mainly for personal advantage. Therefore, from the watchtower of spiritual discernment and moral courage, he cried, "Thus saith the Lord God unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks?" Ezek. 34:2;
