When I hear the word shepherd I automatically think of sheep. A shepherd is one who tends and protects the sheep. He leads them into an area of protection at night and out to green pastures and water during the day. His job is to watch over them and keep them close enough to him so that they are not in danger. His duty of protecting, providing, and disciplining, is done with love and a sense of responsibility. Because of the responsibility he has for them, he has authority over them. In Scripture a shepherd is used as a metaphor in three different ways: One is a person who cares for the sheep animal; another is Jesus, the Good Shepherd of all Christians; and it also refers to a pastor of a congregation.
The shepherd in biblical times would take his sheep into a rock fence at night that only had one entrance. When all the sheep were inside, the shepherd would lay down across the entrance. Nothing could get past him without his knowledge. If anything were a threat to his sheep, he would remove the threat. In I Samuel 17:34-35, David was such a shepherd. He protected his sheep by killing a bear and a lion. He provided for them by leading them out to green pastures each day and finding refreshing water. Sometimes a shepherd would have to discipline a wayward sheep. If the sheep would not stay in the protected area provided by the shepherd, as a last resort he would break the leg of the sheep and carry it everywhere until the bone healed. During this time, the sheep learned to trust him, and stay close to the shepherd.
Next, we see Jesus as the Good Shepherd. In John 10:11 he declares, He is the Good Shepherd. He protects His sheep by giving His life for the sheep. This provision gives help in this life, and through it, the sheep gain eternal life. He was not only willing to lay down His life, He did lay down His life. In verse 14 of that chapter, He says He knows His sheep. Nothing can get by Him to invade or inflict His sheep without His knowledge. If His sheep trust Him, they will have no need of anything, and there will be no need to fear. When the enemy attacks, he will not flee; he will stay to protect His sheep. In Hebrews 13:5, we are taught that our Good Shepherd will never leave us or forsake us. This Shepherd may also need to disciple His sheep for their own good. In Hebrews chapter 12, the Bible speaks about the chastisement of God’s children. If we are His, we will experience correction when we wander from Him. He loves us so much that if our correction doesn’t change our behavior, he will continue to discipline us until we turn back to him, or until we finally reject Him to the point of apostasy.
John 10:11 “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.”
John 10:14 “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.”
Hebrews 12:5-6 “And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.”
There is one more shepherd the Bible speaks about. It is the pastor of a church. Peter tells pastors to feed the flock of God. They are to provide spiritual instruction, and spiritual food for those God has placed in their church. They are not to serve the flock for money, but because they love them. They seek what is best for each Christian to grow in knowledge and understanding of God’s word. II Timothy 4:2 instructs pastors to reprove, rebuke, exhort, and be consistent in their preaching and lifestyle. They are to be examples to the flock so that others may see what a true Christian looks like. They are to protect the flock by teaching the flock how to discern right from wrong. They are to teach about the chastisement of those who stray away from God. They will also give an account for their ministry and those under their care. They have authority over those who are in their flock. One day they will stand before God and answer for what kind of shepherd they have been. They will give an account for what they have taught, loved, and helped, and, for how they have used church discipline to correct those who are living in sin. As sheep, we are to follow the leadership of a godly shepherd. It is for our benefit and for theirs.
I Peter 5:2-4 “Feed 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 ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.”
II Timothy 4:2 “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”
Acts 20:28 “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.”
The Good Shepherd and Pastor Shepherd have authority in our lives if we are Christians. If you do not have a Pastor Shepherd, pray and ask the Good Shepherd to help you find one. When God directs you to a godly Pastor, place yourself under this pastor’s authority and be a good sheep. If your pastor asks you to do something and it is not a sin, make sure you make every effort to do it. We are to serve wherever, and whenever we can without hesitation or grumbling and complaining.
