Feed my Sheep

Yesterday while I was showering (where I do my best revelation thinking) a revelation occurred to me.  When Jesus told Peter to feed his sheep, he was not only speaking of physical food... he was also speaking metaphorically.  This makes perfect sense because Jesus was really good at that. 

This may have occurred to many folks before me but I have always taken the text literally.  In fact, it is one of the texts I live my life by and try to follow as a follower of Christ.  (note I did not say Christian.. that would imply religion which is not something I choose to follow.)  I'm also a follower of Buddha and Lao Tze and all that is Light and Truth and Goodness. Not that you asked.

If you consider the habits of sheep this is a true revelation.  Sheep cannot be described as deep thinkers.  They kinda huddle together in a mass, waiting for someone (or some dog) to come along and tell them what to do.  They don't question the one telling them to move.  They occasionally get sheared and are powerless to say no even if they wanted to.  They seem very frightened if confronted and will hurry to get out of the way, whether they were feeding themselves or taking care of their young, they stop everything and run.  It's easy to feel sorry for a sheep.  It's also easy to feel like maybe they are quite dumb since they can't speak for themselves.

When Jesus said, "If you love me, feed my sheep" He knew that humans are easily drawn to sheep mentality.  Think about the humans during His time.  His whole message was about doing what was right and loving, regardless of what the rulers say.  He repeatedly broke and questioned the rules laid down before him... even the ones supposedly set by the followers of his Father.  He told folks over and over to THINK.  Why shouldn't you wash your feet if they are dirty?  Why can't I eat when I am hungry?  What difference does your religion make if you are hurting and I can heal you? Or what day it is? Brilliant man, Christ.

He never spelled anything out to his followers.  He spoke in parables.  Why wouldn't he just say, "Dude, I'm the son of God and you need to do what I tell you?" Why?  Because He wanted us to THINK. He knew if He told us what to do He would just be laying down a new set of rules for the sheep to blindly follow. (which, unfortunately came to pass for many who claimed to follow Him) The reason He said there was really only one "rule" and that was to love your God and your neighbors as yourself, with all your heart and all of your mind and all of your spirit, was that he knew you couldn't go wrong if you were acting in love.  If you think about love when you have a dilemma, you will never choose stupidly. If you live in love, you won't make choices that hurt others because you need to follow the status quo. If you engage all your senses in love you won't have room for other petty concerns, like who has more money or better hair.

If you read or study any text from any religion, you will see this message stated over and over.  And it truely is the only real message.  And it really is that simple.  All the rest is crazy nonsense designed to confuse you and make you become a stupid sheep so you will blindly follow.  If you love, feed the sheep.  Feed them love and wisdom.  Feed them acceptance and the right to question.  Feed them with possibilities and with example.  And don't treat them like sheep. 

Amen.