Principles of feeding sheep

Shepherding has never been an occupation I have had, nor have I ever owned sheep, however, observations and conversations with others have made me realize the traits of a good shepherd.

One of the last commands that Jesus gave to Peter, while on earth, was to "feed My sheep" (John 21:16&17). Even those who do not have aspirations or qualifications to be an elder, can, in principle, also feed His sheep. Although 1 Peter 5:2 specifically exhorts elders to the task of feeding the flock, Scripture tells us all to speak only things which are good for edifying, and which minister grace to the hearers. It is in this spirit that the traits of a good shepherd can instruct us.

Consider these "natural" things in light of 1 Peter 5:2, "Feed the flock of God..."

• A good shepherd will give his sheep food when they are hungry, not according to his schedule, but accomodating them in theirs. The shepherd will be sensitive to the needs of his flock to the degree that he is not inconvenienced by the care of them. It will prove to have little benefit if he gives them food when they are not hungry, or forsakes their feeding when they are. As a result of this neglect, they may seek food from "wild" sources.
  
• His sheep, knowing and trusting in his care, will come to him when they are hungry; he does not have to hunt for them at feeding time. They have always received food from him in the past, and they, therefore, have no doubt that he will feed them at that moment, nor do they fear that he will neglect or misuse them. The shepherd will be sensitive to know when his sheep are hungry as opposed to being in need of protection or just wanting to be in his presence.
  
• He will not lead them to the feeding trough and force their heads into it just because "it's good for them." Imagine the despair the flock would be brought into if the shepherd took the good food and force-fed them. There is a time when he, of necessity, puts nourishment into a sheep, but that will be when the sheep is sick, or disabled and cannot feed on its own. He waits upon the healthy ones for them to be ready to eat.  
  
• A good shepherd will give his sheep palatable and desireable food. He will know what they like to eat, and will not give them something not designed for sheep. He will not give them the same food as he would give a dog. Neither would he disguise the dog's food as sheep food.  
  
• He will give them food free from corruption. The food he gives them would not be old, moldy, or mildewed. It will not be that which was rejected by another's flock. It will be fresh, and he will have gathered it or bought it himself.  
  
• He will not make them eat in haste. Some will be done before others. Some will take longer to eat. He is not impatient with those slower ones, nor does he show favoritism to the faster ones.
  
• He will make the food accessible. As one has said, "He is a bad shepherd who holds the hay too high for the sheep."  
  
• He will take special care for the "runts." There will be those who cannot eat as much, or have some deficiency in digesting and assimilating. These, through this infirmity, will be weaker than the rest. He will patiently provide extra care for these to bring them up to proper strength. It will be these which he will most often need to protect from the wolves and lions.  
  
• Knowing that sheep ruminate, or chew the cud, he will give them the necessary time to lie down and do this. Forsaking this time of rumination disrupts the digestive and assimilative process.