If we say we love the Lord our God, then He will give us the responsibility of caring for those who are His--"Feed My lambs...Shepherd My sheep...Feed My sheep." Lambs are the young who need proper food and continual protection to grow and mature into sheep. Sheep are the mature who, though may know what to eat and drink, may still need to be led to good pasture and water,and, to be protected from predators.

Simon Peter, the apostle, was sure of himself, that he would not deny or abandon the Son of God. After all, he had a deep, personal affection for his Friend, Jesus. Yet when tested, Peter found himself unable to live up to his words of commitment. Being friendly with God cannot withstand the severe trials of persecution, temptation and even threat of death. No, to be able to stay faithful to God requires a love that is devoted to no one else but God and intends to lose all to gain Christ. A follower of Christ must reason through all personal objections and come to the conclusion that God is all one really needs or should ever desire. Peter, as he matured, became that kind of lover of Christ and God the Father. Eventually, he no longer "did his own thing," but bound himself to follow Jesus, even unto death, for the glory of his Beloved Lord. Peter, when he started as a disciple of Christ, was unsteady and unpredictable in his faith. But, in the end, he was a "rock" for the infant church.

Nothing has changed. Today, there are those who are friendly with Jesus Christ yet young, untested, unsteady and/or unpredictable in their faith. Those of us who have grown and matured in our faith are responsible to watch over, guard, assist and provide for these lambs until they become sheep of the Lord's. The Holy Spirit will guide and teach all of us, His disciples, as he did the first ones, if we will follow Him. Think about it.