It’s been said, “If you aim at nothing you’ll hit it every time.”  The Roman philosopher Seneca remarked, “When a man doesn’t know what harbor he is heading for, then no wind is the right one.”  As you study the life of the Lord Jesus, have you thought about His goal in training His disciples?  Perhaps you are a parent, what are your goals in training your children? 

As we study the Gospels, we see that Jesus had a larger strategy than just making better sheep.  Have you given much consideration to the fact that the Bible calls people sheep?  There are many characteristics that people have in common with sheep and unfortunately they are usually not complementary.  Sheep for example are dependent.  They need the shepherd to provide green pastures and to lead them to still waters.  Sheep are also defenseless, they are unable to defend themselves and are not even fast runners.  Finally, sheep are defiant, the Bible says, “all we like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way.”   

Jesus however, was not content to make better sheep; He had a better idea.  His goal was to transform sheep into shepherds.  We see that principle in John 21:15, “So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus *said to Simon Peter,   “Simon, {son} of John, do you love Me more than these?” He *said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He *said to him, “Tend My lambs.”  Jesus is giving Peter a commission, He wants him to “tend His lambs.”  Sheep do not tend other sheep, Jesus is making Peter an under-shepherd to assist in caring for His sheep. 

Again Jesus asks Peter, “Simon, {son} of John, do you love Me?” He *said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He *said to him, “Shepherd My sheep.”  Jesus changes the wording somewhat, but the idea is the same; Peter is to take care of the sheep.

It is interesting that Peter had denied His Lord three times and now Jesus gives him an opportunity three times to affirm his love.  He *said to him the third time, “Simon, {son} of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him,” Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.   “Jesus *said to him, Tend My sheep.”  You too may feel that you have failed the Lord, by word or deed, and He can’t possibly use you.  If you have repented of your sin and you love Jesus with all your heart, then He is more than willing to have you in His service.

What is our goal in training others?  Our primary goal is to have people love God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength!  Notice in Peter’s life that relationship came before responsibility.  Jesus ensured Peter’s heart was right.  God may want to use you as a shepherd to help sheep become shepherds.  Have you considered that you may be equipping the next William Carey, Amy Carmichael, or Billy Graham?  May Peter’s words to his fellow elders be an encouragement to your heart:  “shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness;”