Following Jesus is following the Good Shepherd. Shepherd means feeder of sheep. Jesus fed the five thousand physical bread and fish. The Gospel of John tells us that the meaning of that miracle was that Jesus was the Bread of Heaven, the true manna (John 6:32-35). “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world” (John 6:51 NIV). Following the Shepherd means that those who love Him are sent to share this Bread and become feeders of sheep too.
“He said to him the third time, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ And he said to him, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, “‘Feed my sheep.’” John 21:17 (NRSV)
