It was one of the encounters of Disciple with Resurrected Christ that the Gospel of John has mentioned. Though the majority of even the Disciples of Jesus were waiting Christ to restore the Kingdom of Israel it was plan of the God of Israel to hold on the Kingdom until the fulfillment of gentiles. When the chosen people denied to receive their Messiah, It was God who brought the believers in the Salvation through their faith in Jesus despite of their race, color and country of origin. And the worldwide body of the saved ones, whom God has chosen before the foundation of the world is Called Church of Jesus.
Many Christians are in misunderstanding today that there is no Salvation in any Religions except Christianity. But the Biblical Truth is there is no salvation in any Religion, nor even in Christian Religion. Salvation is of the God and it has only in Christ Jesus, it doesn't matter which Church some one goes and how long he has attending the Church, until and unless some one comes into repentance of his/her sin and accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour, he/she can't be saved just being part of the Congregation which is in broad way called Church today.
Here we have to understanding the fact that Christ didn't come into this world to establish the Local Congregation or Local Church, the plan of God is to united an Universal and Unseen body of Saved ones. Which can in both rich and poor nations, in strict or free nation, in Urban or rural whom God has chosen and whom God knows personally as their Father. The very simple Christian principle is this called out body gathers together in a locality to thank God for his goodness and greatness, and encourage and support each other, to pray and share to each other. Because of differences of Culture, traditions and language these groups can be some times separated on the language that the people spoke or culture they follow. Still the common in world-wide brotherhood of Christians is they worship and exalt Same God in Christ Jesus our Saviour in their own language, culture and way.
God loves his elected ones, because Christ has paid their ransom of sin through his death on the cross. It was a single individual like you and me for whom Christ died, and a single soul is so much precious on the sight of Lord. Even when Christ was resurrected, the question he asked to Peter was " Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?" . It was not a doubt of Jesus that led Him to ask Peter either he loves Jesus or not, but it was a responsibility Jesus was going to give to His disciple till His second coming, "Feed my lambs". Three times Jesus asked same question and the command three times was to feed the lambs if on the condition of they love Jesus.
The love of Disciples of Jesus was shown on the action that they perform if they love Jesus. It was not the salary they get in order to do it, but it was the act toward the love to Jesus who died for His Church. The very simple fact of being follower of Jesus is to take care of His flock, and Jesus has called his followers to feed His lambs and to be Shepherds not just the preacher of the word on Sunday morning from the Pulpit. A preacher preaches the moral lessons and finishes his duty, but a Shepherd gives his life for the betterment of lambs. He would be with the lambs on the time of difficulties and cares for lambs in every situation, not just preaches and leave. Jesus Himself explained how much does a shepherd do for a lost sheep on His parable of the lost sheep. Because a shepherd knows the value of a sheep for whom Christ has given His own life.
Unfortunately, many times knowingly or unknowingly we forget the truth that beside the ministries in pulpit there are a lot more responsibility of a Minister which is not just for salary but his love toward Christ compels him to do for the believers. It is not the job some local congregation has given him, but it is a call that Christ Himself has entrusted him. A Pastor (Shepherd) is life long Spiritual leader of the believers, a mentor, a comforter and a friend of life. The relationship of a Pastor and a believers is life long bondage of Love that is joined with Jesus, which starts with dedicating a child in God and ends only on giving mud on the grave.
We should understand the Biblical authority that a minister is not called just to preach half an hour sermon each week, but to dedicate his life in the service of Jesus in the lives of believers. As a shepherd gives his life for lambs he/she should be toward the believers who are honoring him/her with the tithes and offerings that they are giving to the authority of God the Creator.
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