Deuteronomy 8:3 (NKJV)
“So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD.”
Matthew 4:3-4 (NKJV)
“Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”
John 21:15-17 (NLT)
“After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," Peter replied, "you know I love you." "Then feed my lambs," Jesus told him. Jesus repeated the question: "Simon son of John, do you love me?" "Yes, Lord," Peter said, "you know I love you." "Then take care of my sheep," Jesus said. 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.”
The three commands, although often translated the same way, are different. The first time Jesus says it, the Greek means literally “pasture (tend) the lambs” (v. 15). The Greek word for “pasture” is in the present tense, denoting a continual action of tending, feeding and caring for the lambs (baby sheep). Believers are referred to as sheep throughout Scripture, “For he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care” (Psalm 95:7). Jesus is both our Good Shepherd (John 10:11) and the Door of the sheepfold (John 10:9). By describing His people as lambs, He is talking about the new born again believers. When one is born again they are a baby, of which a lamb is a baby sheep. He is emphasizing their nature as immature and vulnerable and in need of tending and care. Babies also require more food as they are quickly growing. They cannot just be fed 1-2x a week and get the proper nutrients! This is why discipleship is so important, they need someone to come alongside them and help raise them up in the ways of the Kingdom of God, daily!
The second time, the literal meaning is “tend my sheep” (v. 16). In this exchange, Jesus was emphasizing tending the sheep in an over watching capacity, not only feeding but seeing over them. Which means ensuring they stay on the path and do not wander off. This expresses the full scope of pastoral oversight, both in Peter’s future and in all those who would follow him in pastoral ministry. Peter follows Jesus’ example and repeats this same Greek word poimaino in his first pastoral letter to the elders of the churches of Asia Minor: “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers” (1 Peter 5:2).
The third time, the literal translation is “Feed the sheep” (v. 17). Here Jesus combines the different Greek words to make clear the job of the shepherd of the flock of God. They are to tend, care for, and provide spiritual food for God’s people, from the youngest lambs to the full grown sheep, in continual action to nourish and care for their souls, bringing them into the fullness of spiritual maturity. The totality of the task set before Peter, and all shepherds, is made clear by Jesus’ three-fold command and the words He chooses.
What is this food with which shepherds are to feed the flock of God? It can be no other than the Word of God. Peter declares that Christians are to desire the pure spiritual milk of the Word so that by it, we can mature in our salvation (1 Peter 2:2). We see above from the book of Deuteronomy, the Lord describing His Word as food for His people who live not by bread alone. Next we see Jesus defeat Satan during His temptation in the wilderness. The importance of the Word of God as food for our souls cannot be overemphasized.
Clearly, the job of the shepherds of God’s people is to provide them with the pure milk of the Word of God so they can move on to the meat and solid food of the spiritually mature (Hebrews 5:12-14). Pastoral ministry should be primarily one of pastors feeding their people the Word of God. The truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth!
The Word of God plays a couple vital roles, one to nourish our soul and help us to grow in spiritual maturity. Second, it helps to form a weapon for us to use in times of warfare.
By feeding upon the Word of God which is the logos word we are depositing the element for what will be a vital part of our armor!
Ephesians 6:17 (NLT)
“Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
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Hebrews 4:12 (TPT)
“For we have the living Word of God, which is full of energy, like a two-mouthed sword. It will even penetrate to the very core of our being where soul and spirit, bone and marrow meet! It interprets and reveals the true thoughts and secret motives of our hearts.”
The phrase “two-edged” is taken from the Greek word "distomos" and is one of the oddest words in the entire New Testament. Why is that? Because it is a compound of the word di, meaning two, and the word "stomos", which is the Greek word for one’s mouth. Thus, when these two words are compounded into one (distomos), they describe something that is two-mouthed! Don’t you agree that this seems a little strange? So why would the Bible refer to the Word of God repeatedly as a “two-edged sword” or, literally, a “two-mouthed sword”?
First, that word came out of the mouth of God. He then quickens it to you as a rhema word (drops it in your heart). Next, it comes out of your mouth! When that happens it becomes a sharp, “two-edged”, or literally, a “two-mouthed” sword. One edge of this sword was sharpened when the Word initially proceeded out of God’s mouth. The second edge of this sword was sharpened when the Word of God proceeds out of YOUR mouth!
The sword is one of the most aggressive and offensive weapons in our spiritual arsenal. The word for “sword” that Paul used comes from the Greek word “machaira”. This sword was about 19” long and both sides of it were razor sharp. It made this sword the most dangerous of the five used by Roman soldiers. This weapon was not only intended to kill, but completely tear the enemy’s insides to shreds! So, this word that Paul uses for Sword of the Spirit declares that God has given His church a sword that is just as brutal against our enemy. It will destroy and tear our foe to shreds! GLORY!!!