As I pondered further Jesus conversation with Peter about his love for
God, I thought of one more application for which we could apply toward
building intimacy into our marriages. First, let's review that portion
of scripture and refresh our memories…
John 21:15-17
So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas,
lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest
that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again
the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him,
Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?
Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou
me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest
that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
We concluded through Jesus teachings, that an honest love for God will
produce an honest love for man. Jesus told Peter that if sincerity resided
within his heart in his love for Him, he was to then feed His lambs AND
feed His sheep. As I thought about the Savior's instructions, I pondered
the difference between what a lamb's needs would be and what a sheep's
needs would be. If he were to properly feed them according to Christ's
command, Peter would need to consider what each group would require for
nourishment. Obviously, Jesus was pointing out to Peter that there were
distinctions between lambs and sheep; there were different ways each needed
to be tended to. There were different ways that Peter needed to express
his love and concern for those put into his care, though sincerity should
always be present in his every approach toward others….
Ladies, as we liken Jesus instructions to building a more intimate relationship
with our husbands and expressing our love toward them, we too, are going
to have to recognize the different ways our spouses must be loved; the
different approaches we are going to have to take in tending to them.
"Feed my lambs...." Let's think about that concept for a moment. Lambs
are young, they are immature, their digestive systems can handle only
milk for nourishment and growth, their young legs are wobbly and they
stumble often, they need extra care and watching over. Lambs are still
learning to identify the Shepherd's voice and are not skilled in discernment,
they are easily led astray, the wolves seek after them for prey, and they
suddenly fall into challenging predicaments....
As you think about these kinds of traits that might be present in your
husband's life in those areas he has not yet matured, you must realize
the way Jesus would expect you to feed him, to love him. Dear wife, can
you sincerely love your husband even if his legs are wobbly at certain
times and he stumbles; even while he is still maturing in certain areas
of character? Even when he thinks he is following the Lord's leading and
makes a mistake, discovering later that he was not? Even when he still
needs guidance or during those times when he is led astray or gets into
mischief? Do you realize that a lamb does not yet fully understand the
value of his Shepherd and may not always appreciate His governing hand?
Do you understand that a young and growing Christian is easy prey that
the devil seeks after and do you take this understanding into consideration
in what your spouse's needs might be during times of pursuit or attack?
Do you endeavor to speak to your husband with respect or do you talk to
him as if he were a child under your "wise" tutelage? Do you wisely and
skillfully love your man, thereby strengthening him with your love and
helping free him from the enemy's grip? Do you let your love cover a multitude
of his sins by giving him extra encouragement and support even when he
has failed you? Do you love him on your knees by praying for him continually,
faithfully caring for and watching over his life with unselfish concern
for his good?? Can you accept the fact that there are certain expectations
you cannot place upon a lamb in comparison to sheep?
Ladies, these are the ways that God expects us to feed His lambs, these
are the ways that we ought to sincerely express our love for our husbands,
in spite of the fact they still have areas they have not yet matured!
You willingly aid other young, growing lambs and care for them with an
attitude of longsuffering - why not do it for your spouse too?? Does your
husband know and rest in the fact that you love him even if he is still
a lamb in some ways, even if he has not yet matured quite as much as a
sheep has? Or have you made it clear that you are not going to demonstrate
a greater degree of love for him until he completely grows up?? Jesus
said, "Lovest thou me? Then feed my lambs...."
What about feeding the sheep, how do they need to be looked after and
cared for, how do you show them love? First, the Bible says that sheep,
even grown-up, still have a tendency to wander. Surely you recognize that
in your own life if you have been a Christian for any length of time at
all. The Bible says ALL we like sheep have gone astray, amen? Therefore,
prayer should always be something husband and wife labor in for one another.
Pray for continued growth and discernment in one another's lives and respect
to the government of God. Sheep also have a different diet than lambs;
they can handle more than just milk. Their legs are stronger and they
are able climbers. They don't stumble as easily or as often. Sheep have
established a close relationship with their Shepherd, they have learned
to discern His voice and they willingly follow Him. The Shepherd has lovingly
named each sheep and looks closely after them, and is even willing to
lay down His life for every single one! Each is special and valued as
an individual. The sheep sense this and they trust the leadership of their
great Shepherd and abide safely under His watchful eye. At certain times,
the fleece of the sheep is sheered and used to warm others. Though they
are led to the slaughter, sheep open not their mouths in their afflictions.
The lion seeks after them and they still need the Shepherd's protection
and guidance in their lives. Sheep often need to be gathered together,
for they have a tendency to scatter and every once in awhile even get
mixed up with goats and need to be separated again.
Now, dear wife, how can you take this information and apply it to the
way you love your husband in those areas of his life where he has matured?
You're not still treating your grown-up Christian husband like a lamb
are you? Do you talk to him like he doesn't have any experience as a child
of God? Do you mind when he is sheered and his fleece is used to warm
others? In other words, do you find joy in seeing him serve the Lord and
involved in ministry work or aren't you happy about sharing him with God?
Do you not want him to climb to new heights as a Christian? Do you cheer
him on in his growth and praise him, or don't you even notice the strength
that has come to his once wobbly walk? Are you trusting him to the care
of the Great Shepherd and resting in the fact that your husband hears
from God and will follow His leadership or do you think he needs you to
boss him around? Does he know that you would be behind him no matter what
the Lord called him to do, no matter where his Shepherd led him? When
he suffers as a Christian do you egg him on to curse God and die like
Job's wife did, or do you commend him for his spiritual strength and ability
to suffer maturely? When he is unsure of which direction to take, do you
encourage your husband to seek the Shepherd's face and let him know you
are confident he will hear and choose the right way in which to go? When
he seeks the fellowship of other Christians, do you willingly extend hospitality
to the saints of God, hoping that he might gain greater strength from
those brethren that would develop his endurance and fortify his faith,
or do you whine and complain when he desires to get together with God's
people or even go to church? You know, even a mature Christian will stumble
and our husbands will sometimes stray in certain areas of their lives
though much growth has taken place. Just as we do, they sometimes get
off the right track or even get mixed up with goats, but we must remain
faithful to God and loyal in expressing our love toward our husbands at
all times! This is the way that Jesus teaches us to love in sincerity
and to prove our love toward Him.
Lambs and sheep - in maturity and immaturity, in progress and in failures,
in good times and in bad, for better or for worse - whatever the case
may be we are to be devoted to the well-being of our husbands! In what
way might your husband still be a lamb today? In what way would you say
he has become a sheep? Dear wife, would EWE say EWE love your man the
way God is expecting EWE to - in all areas? Lovest thou God? Feed His
lambs and His sheep - neither kind is to be neglected!
God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2000 Pamela A. Iannello
