Today's Passage - John 21:17

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english John 21:17    The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep."    Jesus said to Peter, "Feed my sheep."  Serving the Lord and serving people obviously cannot be separated. You cannot say I love God and yet you do not serve other people.  One who loves God will naturally love other people and be considerate to the merciful nature of our Lord.  When Jesus told Peter to, "Feed my sheep" , He did  not mean "Feed your sheep."  Who are Peter's sheep?  Perhaps Peter and we prefer the same kind of sheep - ones that are healthy, don't we?  The sheep that do not need our persuasion and encouragement in reading the Bible and those who tithe one-tenth automatically; we prefer those who listen and are healthy.   But Jesus says here, "Feed my sheep." Who are Jesus' sheep?"  They are those who need our help.   There are many needy people in U.S.: many elderly people are watching TV if not taking care of children; nobody would understand that they are isolated and   lonely.  The same is true to many American families, mid-aged couples have to face health, family, work and even spiritual crisis; in addition, single people also face many struggles although it sounds terrific to be single, yet often times it is quite hurtful as it may be more difficult for them to enter into marriages because they tend to isolate themselves in order to be protected, as a result, they are less open thus making it even more difficult to meet others.   Many teenagers grown up in U.S. have suicidal thoughts. Why does this happen in this material rich environments? It is because these teenagers could only see what is happening this week which, often times, can give them neither comfort nor satisfaction - thoughts of committing suicide thus arise.  They are many around us who are needy.  Our Lords has instructed us to feed them and care for them unselfishly.    Brothers and sisters,  many a time we only want to care for those we like as in the church we often ask those who we have not seen for a while, "I did not see you last week."  - we only care for the their attendance.  May the Lord help us learn to feed His sheep with a heart of mercy like our Lord.                                       Pray with Pastor Tong           Lord, grant us a heart of mercy.  Forgive us for neglecting your desires and the need of your sheep.  Open our eyes so that we may see different needs of the people around us and willing to care for them.  With thanks we pray, in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!