A Theology of 'Feed my sheep' ministry in the context of New Life Church - Essay Example

Introduction Applications of the Bible for the 21st century require deeper understanding of the meanings of parables, lessons and other ideologies that came from the time of Jesus. Looking at the various ideologies of the Bible and applying them to today’s church requires a deeper analysis of various expressions and what these mean as well as how they are practically applied to the needs of today. As examples of The Bible are analyzed additional measures to comprehending practical applications for the clergy. The lesson of John 21: 15-17 is an example of the analysis conducted. When analyzed, there is a deeper understanding to the call which received by Jesus and how this applies to the church with congruent applications for today. A. Brief Overview of the Problem The purpose of this paper is based on an examination of the meaning and interpretations of John 21: 15-17. The meaning related to John 21: 15-17 carry a variety of symbolical interpretations and expectations with the conversation of Jesus to Peter. The interpretations not only expand with the basic interpretation of the Bible in the commentary, but the structure and meaning also carry different explanations used within the context of the church. The concept is not only based on exploration of the main context for the event which occurred but also applies to using the expression as a basis for ministry today and applying the context of the event to the needs of today’s church. Exploring the true meaning of John 21.15 – 17 and understanding the meanings related to the overall words then provides a deeper application for ministry today. When exploring the main story, one is able to create an overall understanding of mechanics required for the functioning of the church. B. The Aim of the Study The aim of this study is to first explore all possible interpretations of John 21. 15-17. This follows with ways in which the interpretation applies to today’s church and the understanding of how the explanations apply to practical needs for the 21st century church. Defining the explanations that are a part of the general context today then allows an expansion of possibilities for the church and ministry while linking back to the metaphors, symbols and interpretations that began with the stories and references in the Bible. The importance of this expression is not only one which provides a variety of insights from the potential meaning. The aim also shows how this applies to the current context in society and the relations associated with the church. C. Significance of the Study There are several areas of significance with the story in John 21. 15-17. This begins with the symbolism of Jesus asking Peter the same question three times, which has symbolic and other meanings related to the main concept. The concept combines with potential symbolism and interpretations with the response given by Jesus about feeding his sheep and with the love which Peter states he has for Jesus. The dialogue which occurs has various meanings and is able to apply to the needed concepts for today’s society. Understanding the historical, symbolic and overall meaning of the Biblical passage then becomes important in the context of understanding more of the relationships in the Bible and of creating a deeper meaning for those living in today’s society. D. Methodology Chosen There are three main methodologies used together to compliment the interpretations of John 21. 15-17. The first is observations that occur when reading and interpreting the ideology. From the observations, certain conclusion and ideologies are interpreted through the context of the phrase. The observations come from the literary interpretation that is often used with this revelation. This is important to note because it is the most common recognition when using the story and testimonial and is currently applied in the context of observation and ministerial interpretation. This is followed with scholarly research that is a part of others who have interpreted the meaning of this phrase through a variety of perspectives. This will deepen the meaning of the parable while creating alternative meanings which may also be applied to the same study. The main concept compares and develops further interpretation through the scholarly information available. Combining the research and observations designed to provide a well – rounded and holistic set of conclusions with the Biblical phrase. E. Limitations The advantage of the methodology begins with the ability to combine a variety of perspectives for the overall interpretation of the story in John 21. 15 – 17. However, there are also limitations in the approach used. The expression taken out is an excerpt used for today’s society. There are other components linked to the ideology that occurs after the main story and which link back to the Biblical meaning. This combines with potential changes and interpretations that have occurred over time from the original meaning. The study will not show observations from other Biblical interpretations or past translations, meaning that some of the meaning of the passages may have been lost. However, the objective involves applying the meaning to the needs of today, which creates a different understanding of the context of the phrase of John 21. 15-17. Other limitations and ideas from ministers and those who apply the main parables may also be initialized, creating a different understanding of the phrase and the use in the church, creating some limits in the perspective. F. Ministerial Context The ministerial context is inclusive of a basis on current applications of the story with Peter and Jesus. The application carries the foundation of Peter being asked of his love to Jesus then replying with asking him to feed his sheep. The concepts of love and how this relates to actions of serving are one which is used as a lesson to those in the church. It then relates to the current conditions and stories which many are facing to show how there is the same need and application of the story today, specifically by showing love to Jesus by feeding his sheep and applying this to spiritual needs that are a part of the 21st century. 2. Exegesis A. Description of the Situation John 21: 15-17 begins with a conversation of Peter and Jesus. This begins after Jesus and Peter finish eating fish that is gathered for the day. Jesus asks Peter if he loves Jesus more than he loves the fish they had just eating. Peter responds yes and that Jesus knows that Peter knows he loves him. The response from Jesus is that he should feed his lambs. Jesus then asks Peter the same question a second time and receives the same response. The third time, there is a commentary of Peter being hurt as Jesus has asked the same question twice then asks a third time. He again replies that he loves Jesus as Jesus knows all things. Before this conversation, it is noted that Peter has denied Christ three times because of the responsibility to his ministry. B. Explanation of John 21. 15-17 When observing the discourse from Peter and Jesus, there is a noted correlation first with the denial from Peter of Christ before. The denial occurred by Peter’s ministry carrying precedence over a request of Jesus. The question being asked three times then correlates to the denial that Peter has already created from Christ because of his ministry. The question being asked three times is then interpreted as Jesus restoring Peter back to responsibility of ministry. This is done by reversing the denial that has occurred with Jesus by asking the same question three times about the love of Christ. The importance of this is to close the gap between Peter and Jesus based on love by exhausting the understanding that Peter loves Jesus. The concept of asking the same question three times and building the ideology of love based on understanding what it means to love Jesus. Peter is recognized as a pastor for Jesus. When asking about this love by Jesus, there is the need to exhaust and continue to repeat the concept of love and what this means. This creates the three responses of stating the love for Jesus and that he will feed his sheep. Peter as the pastor means that he will care for the younger ones of the church that don’t understand the same love and which need care1. The response through exaggeration of the reply is to create expectations of Peter that the love for Christ is shown by feeding the young that are not mature in the field of the spirit. The lesson for Peter is to continue to care and guide for those that don’t have the spiritual insight that Peter has been gifted with through the love of Jesus that has been given to him. By the third time the question is answered with feed my sheep, it changes the context from the young who don’t have spiritual insight to mature members that don’t have the spiritual needs met. Each question and the response then carry a different meaning for the sheep being of a different flock and needing the same love and assistance. Persona of Jesus The concept of Jesus asking Peter the same question three times transforms into various meanings. While it is noted that Jesus is always asking Peter, there are also forms that Jesus is recognized as being interchangeable with. In some instances, Jesus is recognized as the spirit of God or the spirit of Love. In others, Jesus is also recognized as the Word of God. The transformations of Jesus are then inclusive of not only the basic response to Jesus but are based on the various entities that Jesus represents as God, the spirit, the Word of God and the figure of Jesus. These various entities are continuously seen as forming through repetition with one only being able to reject the claims made by Jesus with a continuous and repetitive rejection of God’s word. By Peter claiming continuous love for Jesus, he not only accepts the word of Jesus, but also of God, the spirit and the Word of God.2 This becomes important because of the denial that Peter held before and the reversal of this, not only for the love of Jesus, but also for the deeper meanings that linked to the spirit of Jesus and how this related to God and the Word of God. The transformation of Jesus referred to in the Greek carries various interpretations of love. The Greek verbs for love are interchangeable, depending on the type of love expected in various circumstances, as love is considered an action. The verb ???????(agapao) is the first form of love interpreted in the Greek. This term is used by Jesus when asking if Peter loves him. It is noted that the concept of the Greek term for love referred to a divine love that was selfless and altruistic. The response by Peter is another form of love, through the Greek ????? (phileo). This is interpreted as the verb and action that Peter love Jesus in a generalized context. This is used interchangeably by Peter. The third time Jesus asks if Peter loves him, he also uses the Greek term of ?????? This signifies the love between the two as humans, as opposed to the divine love regarded the first two times Jesus asks Peter of his love for him. The concept refers to the agape love, which is inclusive of the formats of love and how this translates to different actions of feeding the sheep.3 The concept of Jesus and the resurrection placed with Peter’s denial turning into love for Jesus is one which is often defined as “Christological.” The main approach is to show that Peter commits to Jesus and that this is expressed through love of the church. The love of the church is then noted with the repetition of the expression, specifically because the love and the persona of Jesus transforms into different bodies relating to God and the word of God. The main point is to shift the perspective of Peter to the different forms of love that are through Jesus and to have these be the ways in which Peter serves through the church and within the pastor. The “Christological” approach then is to build a set of forms of love that are through Jesus and to have these as the mission which Peter needs to achieve through the love that he has to Jesus4. The theme is then able to build a sense of unity through the expressions of love that come through the persona of Jesus to Peter. Feeding the Sheep The theme of feeding of the sheep is one which is prominent in John 21: 15-17 and before the conversation between Jesus and Peter with the feeding of the fish to the disciples. The importance is one which is noted as a link with the importance of feeding. The fish that are fed to Peter occur as Peter is the disciple of Jesus. He then feeds him with the spiritual knowledge and the physical substance that is needed to sustain him. When first asking Peter if he loves him, he relates it to him loving him more than the food he has been fed. The reply Jesus gives is then to feed his sheep. There is a direct relation to both stories with the idea of feeding where Peter is a disciple eating the fish then is required to work with others to feed them the same love and knowledge of the food by showing the love for Jesus. The concept then relates to the several forms of discipleship and leadership and how both work together to create unity in gathering spiritual knowledge and giving the same knowledge to others that are of less maturity5. The implications of the feeding of the sheep have a double meaning because of the messages which were also given to the disciples. The main concept of love that was given by Jesus was to show the love by following him. When one followed Jesus, they were fed with the love and knowledge of the spirit and of the Word of God. Peter, in this instance, was the disciple of Jesus that was called to love him and to follow him with the ministry that was expected of him. However, Jesus takes this a step further of not only following him. The follower is one which Jesus often recognized as the sheep, which referred to Peter and the other disciples. However, Peter was being called through the affirmations of love to not only follow him but also to feed the sheep, meaning that he had a mission of spreading the same love and word of God to others. The belief in love is one which Jesus required to be followed with the action of love which was depictive of feeding the sheep and others who were to follow and demonstrate the same love. The love was then expected to remain the same as Jesus fed Peter and as Peter fed the sheep, allowing the love of God to be the experience that unified all to Jesus and the love experienced by all6. The importance of the sheep and the message Peter received to take action with God’s love was then followed by the perspective of the changing needs of the sheep. In the responses to Peter’s love to Jesus, are different forms of feeding the sheep which take place. The purpose of Peter’s ministry and discipleship then change to forms of feeding the sheep and different types of sheep which need care. Groups of sheep also require different ways of showing love and taking various transformations to work with those who needed assistance at various levels. Other instructions given to Peter were based on instructions to public servants, specifically which was required of pastoral servants. The main objective was to care for those who had already come to the faith and to care to those who were new to the faith. The main message given to Peter in various passages was to build the church in strength and to feed those who were already a part of the church. This was followed with bringing maturity to those who followed the love of Christ, meaning that the followers would need different attention while building in strength. The three repetitions of feeding the sheep then becomes a tool for assisting followers at every level of spiritual maturity to reach the truth7. The repetition of feeding the sheep and love then intertwine with the different forms of truth taken. When interpreting the love and the feeding of sheep in the Latin, Coptic, Syriac and Patristic traditions, there are other understandings with the concept of love of me and the feeding of sheep. Each has a different context and sense through the expressions. The emphasis and stress of the passages differ in each question asked and in the responses. The first question is based on the emphasis of loving more than worldly things and feeding the sheep by sacrifice for this love. The second question changes context with a differing conclusion which changes to love of God then followed by the Word of God. The feeding of sheep also alters with the original grammar and context, specifically with how each of these lead to a different type of feeding out of love of the relationships to Jesus. Jesus is then giving Peter mechanics of how to strengthen and feed the sheep of the church while giving him guidance on his needed assistance to the pastoral mission which he is given8. The direct interpretations from the Greek further the understanding of the feeding of sheep by changing the verb when asking the question repetitively. The instance was not based on repetition, but instead giving different commands based on the answer of love given by Peter. The first time, Jesus states feed my lambs, which is translated into Greek with “boske ta arnion mou.” The “boske” in this sentence takes the action of feeding and the arnion mou is of lambs. The second interpretation of the Greek is “poimane ta probata mou” with a direct translation of take care of my sheep, as opposed to feeding the lambs. The third repetition in the Greek is translated as “boske ta probata mou,” translated as feed my sheep. This differs from the feeding of the lambs because it refers to the older sheep and also translates into the verb of taking care of as opposed to feeding from verse 16. These relate to the nature of love that is translated from the Greek as well as the expectations of how different forms of love also lead to alternative care for the sheep that may follow Peter9. The extension of the mechanics is one that becomes based on a call to assist with spiritual maturity through love and forgiveness. The idea of a learned ministry is one of the concepts which have arisen from the various passages of John and this specific ideology of spreading love and forgiveness through the transformational personas of Jesus. Reaching spiritual maturity is one which was defined first by continuing to recognize the love of Jesus, such as was presented with the conversation through Peter and Jesus. The spiritual maturity then went to the love that continued to reach newer dimensions and was spread to others as a part of the ministry. The concept is one which now leads to ideas of ministerial training and development and fellowship that is a part of the training. The church being able to assist others with this both as disciples and in reaching full maturity to carry forward the same mission then becomes the main component of the idea of Christian ministry. The passage becomes the mechanics of how to guide disciples while teaching with love and forgiveness with the words and concepts of God and Jesus10. John 21: 15-17 for Today’s Church The messages which were given to Peter through Jesus in the context become important not only because of the mission given to Peter as disciple and teacher of those who had already come to known Jesus and the Word of God. The application also leads to a variety of connotations which are applied to the 21st century church. The first is with the application to Jesus restoring the love of Peter to Jesus in all meanings. This becomes important as a lesson to those who have conflicts within the church or with others in terms of forgiveness and restoration of one’s true mission by understanding love. Jesus restores and forgives Peter’s mission, even though he has denied him in the past. The example for the contemporary church is based on learning how to forgive others in the same manner that Jesus did, simply by recognizing that the individual loves another. Instead of persecuting Peter, he is forgiven only by showing his love for Peter and by committing to serve him by feeding his sheep. Those who may waiver in their duties or make mistakes should then receive the same forgiveness and love to gain strength and to continue to be fed with the love of the church and the spirit it carries11. The concept of forgiveness and love begins with looking at the actions of Peter and showing how the difficulty is overcome with embracing these virtues. However, when looking at the ideology of feeding the sheep, there is also an understanding that those who are a part of the ministry or involved in the church need to practice the same principle of forgiveness and love. The real examples and the preaching that is a part of this is one which is applied to everyday situations and practical examples. The first is forgiving and loving those around you. This is followed by making the church a space in which this is done, specifically because it offers strength to those who are a part of the ministry and which require the pragmatic experiences in the church. Magnifying the ideas of forgiveness and love with the atmosphere of the church and making it a space in which all receive the needed love of Jesus becomes a practical application with preaching, the environment of the church and practical applications for everyday living12. Practical Integration for Pastors A second concept applied to the church for today is based on the identity and mission which Peter is given. Feeding the sheep is one which is identified as a pastoral ministry that Peter was designated to later on. The main concept of the pastoral ministry was to take care of those who were already a part of the ministry of Jesus’ love and to strengthen them at various levels. The office which Jesus designated Peter to at this point was the pastoral ministry. Others that are moving into the same church designation for this time frame are associated with the same ministry. The mission is to continue to have the same church growth that is based on the forgiveness and love which was identified by Jesus in the passage. The identity of holding pastoral relevancy to Peter was a pre-cursor to the nature of the offices now held in the church and how this accumulated through the mission which Jesus gave to Peter at this point13. Today, the same concept is applied with the intent of those working with ministry, specifically in strengthening those who have just come to the church or which are looking for more insight into what is occurring. The interpretation of the passage is not only based on the designation of ministry and the church. There is also an understanding of the basis which the ministry is based on to inspire others and to take a form of leadership based on the teachings of Jesus. The love and forgiveness as the foundation for strengthening the ministry is an aspect that is applied today to the church with the expectation that it is the responsibility to feed the sheep when there is love for Jesus in the ministry. The concept of Peter as the pastoral minister then applies to those who are working under the service of the Word of God and the message of love that Christ gave. The passage works as a calling to establish a following through the love of Jesus and the representations of his persona. This creates a different understanding of the fundamental responsibility for those that are a part of the church and working to strengthen the understanding of love through the church14. Practical Applications of the Gospel of John The applications of John 21: 15-17 are based on a specific interpretation of the scripture for both those who are with the church and which are working in ministry. The practical applications which are associated with this move a step beyond the main message given into ways to incorporate this into the church and daily living. The ministry is one which is divided into several areas for teaching and development. This is inclusive of counseling, traditional preaching and practical applications with activities of the church. The passages of John are applied in each of these areas with the same concept of development. Personal counseling and assistance can use this principle as a basis of strengthening those who are already known Christians. The main concept is to create an understanding of love and forgiveness with conflicts which may arise among others. Keeping the same principle with practical ideas in the sermons provided produces the same results. The activities surrounding the gospel also include ways of feeding the sheep so each individual is filled with the needed spiritual knowledge and practical ways to implement love and forgiveness. Conclusion The interpretation of John 21: 15-17 is inclusive of the ideas of love and forgiveness between Jesus and Peter. In this assertion, are several hidden meanings describing the several perspectives of love between Peter and Jesus. When linking this to the Greek verbs and words as well as various interpretations, one is able to find depth to the conversation between both. This is combined with the understanding of the need to feed the sheep and what this means. The assertion is furthered into practical applications which are used today. The idea of pastoral ministries, strengthening those who are a part of the church and continuing to lead a church with love and forgiveness become the main applications. Using this as a foundation for the church, ministries and various activities then provides new ideologies presented by the testament that is provided. References Anderson, DL. “New Life.” (The Women’s Review of Books 13, 7, 1991). Arthur, K. 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Retrieved September 30, 2011 from: http://carm.org/christianity/sermons/john-2115-17-who-do-you-love. Stevens, JC. Was Peter the First Pope? (Butterworth – Heinemann: UK, 2000). Topping, EC. “The Apostle Peter, Justinian and Romanos the Melodos.” (Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies 1976). Walvoord, John, Roy Zuck. The Biblical Commentary: New Testament. (David Cook: New York, 2001), p. 345. Warnock, GH. “Feed My Sheep.” (Lighthouse 17, 1, 1980). Wiarda, Timothy. “John 21. 1-23: Narrative Unity and Its Implications.” (Journal for the Study of the New Testament 14 (46), 53-71. Willmington, H. “What You Need to Know About Jesus’ Miracles.” (Journal of Biblical Studies, 57, 1, 2007). Wilson, JH. “Jesus as Agent of Change: Leadership in John 21.” (Regent: New York, 2010). Read More