The Care of the Lord's People. "Lovest thou Me? .. .Feed My lambs.. .Feed My sheep" (John 21:15-17). As is well known, there is a delicate distinction of meaning in the use of the words "love" and "feed." Throughout, Peter uses the word φιλέω, for human friendship, while the Lord uses the stronger, spiritual word άγαπάω, until the last time, when He descends to Peter's level and uses the, perhaps, weaker word φιλέω. Similarly in the word for "feed," we have in the first instance the word βόσκω, "to give nourishment to, to pasture." This is what lambs need, food. In the next case it is πoιμάvω, "to shepherd, to lead, protect and care for." This is appropriate to the sheep; they are older, and require the oversight implied in the word. But in the last case, while still speaking of the sheep, our Lord uses the word βόσκω, for sheep need feeding as well as watching.

The Heart of the Shepherd. In the various gifts to the church, we find "pastors, shepherds" (Eph. 4:11). And in the Chief Shepherd we have in their perfection the characteristics which mark each one endowed with the gift, the care of souls. "I am the Good Shepherd, the Good Shepherd giveth his life for the sheep" (John 10:11); and the apostle says, "We ought to lay down our lives for the brethren" (1 John 3:16). This self-denying love does not wait for some supreme opportunity of showing itself, but as the following verse shows is ready to minister to the present need in a natural, human way. This is contrasted with the "hireling," whose self-interest cannot hold him in time of danger. How different is the attitude of the real shepherd. "The flocks and herds with young are with me:and if men should over-drive them one day, all the flock will die" (Gen. 33:13). "Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion and a bear, and took a lamb out. of the flock:and I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth" (1 Sam. 17:34, 35). We may not all have the special, distinctive gift of the pastor; but if we know the heart of the "Shepherd and Bishop of our souls," we will all have the heart of the pastor. We will love, and love always cares for others.

Personal and Assembly care. The assembly is composed of all the individuals in it, and if these are marked by shepherd love and care, it will also characterize the whole gathering. It will not think of itself as a court of justice to inflict corrections and penalties, but will yearn over the lambs and sheep of Christ who have been committed to its care. Every child of God should feel at home in the assembly. Nor will this beget a spirit of undue familiarity or carelessness, but of confidence and mutual helpfulness. Nothing can take the place of love. It is not weak, but the strongest thing in the world. In natural life it is the "likest God" that men have. And in spiritual life it is the atmosphere in which we live, the true motive of our lives. It will lead us instinctively to care for the welfare of the saints, and this will mark the assembly as well as the individual.

Normal oversight and care. The hospital is not the normal abode, nor is spiritual surgery the normal expression of proper care. Feeding the lambs comes first, then oversight of the sheep. Let us fear any tendency that overlooks this basic fact. We will thus be fitted for the proper use of the rod. A well-ordered house is not one where the rod is conspicuous, but where all works smoothly and harmoniously without friction. True, the rod is there, held in reserve for real necessity, but the assembly will be marked by diligent feeding, and loving care of those committed to it. As we have said, lambs need food. When they become older they need to be led and directed. But even the sheep require also the food of the lambs.

Troubles to be settled within, not without. The vast majority of cases calling for oversight and care can and should be settled within the peaceful fold. Euodias and Syntyche have a difference. It is not aired before the world, nor even before the saints. A word of entreaty, a loving admonition is ordinarily sufficient. But if not, things are to be settled not outside but inside. Suppose there is strife, discord; suppose there is a real trespass. Then is the time to test the reality of our faith and position. One of the saddest blots upon a testimony to the unity of the Body of Christ, is the ease with which persons are cut off, the promptness with which divisions are effected. If the will is at work, it always seeks not the benefit, but the overthrow of the offender. Amputation is the last resort in surgery-to save life. How many weary nights, how much pain will one endure before submitting to the knife. Let us look at it calmly. There may be for a long time a state of alienation, suspicion or strife, which must be borne with, labored and prayed over. Exhortation, reproof, rebuke, all are exercised-and all within the assembly without a thought of cutting off.

Put away from among yourselves. Excommunication is thus left for the manifest wickedness which can have no place among the saints of God. The drunkard, adulterer, blasphemer, are singled out and repudiated by the assembly, in the fear of God, and in real love for the wrongdoer, whose course leaves no other treatment possible. He is a leper, and is treated as such, and goes on, in all probability to manifest that leprosy in a more flagrant way. But the saints do not confound with glaring cases the impulsive, or even the quarrelsome, disposition. Brethren may fall out, alas, but there is power within the circle of fellowship to wash the feet and restore to communion. The assembly is no place to give vent to spite and self-will or to satisfy a grudge. May the Lord preserve and deliver us from these things, in order that the holy, healing power of His grace may be manifested. S. R.