Prayer – Lord, You asked Peter if he loved and then You told him to”feed my sheep.” What is the relationship between “love”and “feed”? What did you want Peter to feed Your “sheep?” Spiritual food of love? In the verses prior to this one, You admonished him to feed Your lambs and take care of Your sheep. Show me what I can do to fed Your sheep.
A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep. John 21:17
Meditate.
Sheep are helpless animals. They need to be taken care of just as in David’s most popular Psalm. The good Shepard securely guides them providing plentiful green grass for his sheep and protects them from dangers like raging water in which they could easily drown and from their enemies.
The LORD is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows;
he leads me beside peaceful streams.
He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to his name.
Even when I walk
through the darkest valley,fn
I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
protect and comfort me.
You prepare a feast for me
in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.
Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the LORD
forever. Psalm 23:1-6
People are mostly just like sheep. They can have everything they need if they choose to belong to and be totally cared for by their Shepard. Spiritually, the Shepard feeds His followers as His sheep. Spiritually proving love, hope, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Now it is Party Time—it’s time for a feast—even with enemies. Who are the sheep’s enemies? Wolves, worms, lions and maybe spiritually it could be evil forces. As God’s chosen ones we all face spiritually forces—even if we don’t realize it.
For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12
The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. Galatians 5:17
Once again we are faced with a choice: will we follow the Shepard and trust Him to care for us and feed us? Choose wisely. Eat of the fruit of the Spirit.
Verse of Salvation ~ With joy you will drink deeply from the fountain of salvation! Isaiah 12:3
Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table
Who are you feeding spiritually…and who’s at your table for supper? What are you feeding them?
If it were Jesus Himself—what would you serve for dinner? Would you serve lamb to the Lamb of God? Meat like beef and lamb weren’t served in a daily basis during Jesus time. Those meats were reserved for festival, like Passover, or for Temple sacrifices. They ate fish and bread—like naan or pita bread. Bread was a staple of their diet and likely served at every meal.
Naan Bread
4 cup all-purpose flour
1 3/4 cups plain Greek yogurt
3 teaspoons baking powder (no yeast needed)
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 Tablespoons olive oil for frying
1 Tbsp snipped fresh parsley or other herbs of choice — optional
Mix dry ingredients together. Add yogurt and mix with a wooden spoon. If the dough is too dry, add a little more yogurt; if too moist, add a little flour. Knead for a few minutes. Depending on the number of breads you want and the size, divide the dough into 5-10 equal sized pieces and shape into balls. Chill for ten minutes. Roll out into flat round shapes. Sprinkle with herbs, if desired. Cook in a frying pan with a little oil over medium high heat for 2-3 minutes per side. The breads can also be brushed lightly with oil and baked at 475 degrees Fahrenheit for 4-5 minutes, flipping if necessary.
My family recently had this naan as an appetizer at an African restaurant served with curry, beans, lentils, chutney, and hummus along with a variety of savory and sweet sauces. Naan can be served to dip sauces or to wrap up cooked meats and or veggies. Naan, like pita, can be the wrapper bread for gyro sandwiches. Serve them with jelly, chocolate sauce, powdered sugar, sliced fresh strawberries, or ice cream for dessert. It’s a versatile bread.
See the Spring 2024 issue of Taylor’s Living magazine at tayloredlivingmagazine.com for more ideas and a lesson on making naan.
© 2024 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All
rights reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless
otherwise noted.
New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale
House Foundation.
Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream,
Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.
Books by Mickey M.
Hunacek
Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.comaa
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