THE SHEPHERD AND THE SHEEP

 

 

A Shepherd is someone who looks after sheep. He usually takes the sheep out into fields so that they can graze. No wonder, the Psalmist says “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He maketh me lie down in green pasture, he leads me beside the still waters.” Psalms 23:1-2. The shepherd’s job is also to ensure that the sheep are safe from the attacks of predators. To this end, he is always alert every time, so he keeps the sheep within his jurisdiction to shield them against any eventuality.

 

When we understand the intimate relationship that exists between the shepherd and his sheep, the figure of the Lord Jesus as a Shepherd of His people takes on new meaning. The skill of the shepherd and personal relationship to them is clearly seen when he guides his sheep along narrow paths. The Psalmist says: “He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness.” Psalms 23:3.

 

Feeding the  flock of God “…which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind Neither as being lords over God’s  heritage, but being example to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.”1 Peter 5:2-8.

 

Today, the church is replete with wolves, panthers, hyenas and jackals. Instead of taking care of the sheep many who claim to be shepherds are fast devouring the sheep and the lambs, taking advantage of their utter defenceless nature. This is a situation that rightly fits in to the attitude of pastors in the days of Jeremiah. Jeremiah 23:1 “Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture: saith the Lord”. God had to pronounce a severe judgment upon such shepherds and have them replaced: “Therefore thus saith the Lord God of Israel against the pastors (shepherds) that feed my people, Ye have scattered my flock and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold I will visit upon you the evil of your doings saith the Lord. And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the Lord. Jeremiah 23:2-4.

 

The tragedy of our time is that both the priests (shepherds) and the prophets who are in the house of the Lord are found to be wicked – They have become adulterers whose course is evil. They commit, adultery with impunity, walk in lies and strengthen the hands of evildoers for filthy lucre. This is against the activity of God whom we claim to represent as pictured by Isaiah – “He shall feed his flock like lambs with his arm and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.” Isaiah 40:11.

 

The image of God as our shepherd through the valley of the shadow of death (Psalms 23) is an image of comfort that indeed comforts us throughout life and death. Jesus taught His followers about His role in their lives as the shepherd. John 10:1-16. Many shepherds today behave more like hired workers than shepherds. Hired workers who can desert the sheep when danger approaches and unwilling to lay down their lives for the sheep.

 

Jesus is our Chief Shepherd, the greatest shepherd and the Bishop of our souls. 1 Peter 2:25. All of us are His sheep. Those who have been made to be overseers on God’s heritage are His undershepherds. He has left us an example of feeding His sheep and so expects us in love, to feed the sheep and the lambs – John 21:15-17.

 

Yet, we are still left with many questions today. Where are His shepherds who will lead the sheep to green pastures? Where are they who will lovingly carry home the weary and weak sheep? Where are they, who will not milk the sheep but instead provide abundant food for the sheep to the glory of the Father, Son and the Holy Ghost? And where are the sheep who will “sheepishly” follow genuine and faithful shepherds? Where are those who will gently lead the sheep to the green pastures nurturing them for the Chief Shepherd?