UNDERSTANDING: The True Biblical Shepherd

Identifying real spiritual leaders…..

 

In an illustrated children’s Bible you may well find a picture of a shepherd out in the fields watching his sheep as they quietly graze. There is something tranquil about such a scene. Study it, and you will feel as if you have been transported to another world – to a world of long ago where life was simple, safe, and happy. How far removed this is from our complicated and confusing world of the twenty-first century with its noise and its city lights! Yet, even today, it is possible in some parts of the world to find a shepherd caring for his sheep in almost the same way as it was done hundreds of years ago.

 

 

According to Scripture it is tragic when sheep have no shepherd. Moses pleaded with God “that the congregation of the LORD be not as sheep which have no shepherd” (3).  Later, Micaiah the prophet “saw all Israel scattered upon the hills, as sheep that have not a shepherd” (4) because their king was about to be taken from them. At the end of the Old Testament Zechariah yearned for the people of his day who were in trouble because they, too, had “no shepherd” (5).  How many Christians today remain in trouble of one kind or another because there are no true shepherds to care for them?

 

 

MANY EXAMPLES

Shepherds are referred to many times in the Bible. Abel, “a keeper of sheep” and a “righteous” man, was the first shepherd (6).  He typifies a greater Shepherd who also was righteous and who died (7). Rachel was a shepherdess (8), and Moses tended his father-in-law’s sheep (9). David was perhaps the best-known shepherd of all. Interestingly, both Moses and David rose from being shepherds of sheep to shepherding people. Moses led the children of Israel for forty years, while David reigned over them as their shepherd-king for forty years too. These examples surely indicate that shepherding is important to God.

 

A few general observations can be made as we consider the work of shepherds. First, it hardly needs to be said that a vital connection exists between the shepherd and his sheep. The people of Israel, nationally, were “the sheep of His pasture,” (10). God led His flock using under-shepherds – Moses, for instance, being described as “the shepherd of His flock,” (11).  But in Old Testament times an individual connection between a shepherd and a single sheep can also be discerned. One confessed personally, “I have gone astray like a lost sheep,” and David boldly affirmed, “The Lord is my Shepherd.” (12)

 

Any shepherd is expected to be conscientious. How faithful and reliable the Lord was in leading His people of old! “He made His own people to go forth like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock. And He led them on safely, so that they feared not,” (13).  Although far from perfect, Moses and David both displayed faithfulness in their care of God’s people. Sadly, however, not all shepherds could be trusted. Both Jeremiah and Ezekiel expose the failings of some of the despicable shepherds of their day (14). But the picture of the shepherd and the sheep is not limited to the past. The same theme features in descriptions of the future kingdom of Christ, where re-gathered Israel, under the Lord Jesus, will have “one shepherd” (15). Interestingly, in that day He will still employ under-shepherds to “feed them” and to ensure that all His people are cared for properly (16).       

 

 

SHEPHERD SUPREME

The greatest of all shepherds is, of course, our Lord Jesus. Although sent initially to “the lost sheep of the house of Israel,” He had a great concern for “other sheep” not belonging to Israel’s fold (17). “He was moved with compassion” as He viewed the crowds that came to Him because they “were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.” (18)  Eventually His great love caused Him to bear that awful cross to Calvary, where, as the Good Shepherd, He laid down His life for the sheep (19).

Believers at the present time can benefit from His shepherd-care. His sheep shall never perish (20). He knows the name of each one belonging to Him and speaks personally, directing their lives according to His perfect will (21).  This “Great Shepherd” knows no limitations (22) and will bring His sheep safely to their eternal home. The believer can confidently exclaim: “I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.” (23)

However, the Chief Shepherd still looks for under-shepherds who will lovingly and compassionately care for the sheep. Beside the Sea of Galilee, the Risen Lord asked Peter three times about his love for Him. In response to Peter’s honest answers, the Lord Jesus commissioned Peter to care for the “lambs” and the “sheep” (24). Many years later Peter recorded some vital words of instruction found at the beginning of 1 Peter 5. He addressed “the elders” found “among” the other believers, (v.1). The New Testament does not envisage one elder or bishop presiding over a number of churches. Rather, an elder is an older, spiritually- equipped man whose work (with others of similar character) is in one local church (25). Only the Holy Spirit can appoint elders (26), but those He has equipped for the work need to be recognized, (27).  According to 1 Peter 5:2, their task is to “shepherd” the local flock of God which they are “among” (28).

 

 

THE SHEPHERD’S TASK

We can perhaps understand the shepherd’s task more clearly by considering Ezekiel’s challenging words (Ezek.34:2-4) to those who had failed in their shepherding. “Should not the shepherds feed the flocks?” Ezekiel asks, (Ezek.34:2). This was of prime importance then, and it is still vital today. Only sound, edifying Bible teaching will promote godliness. Charles Spurgeon, the famous Baptist preacher, wryly remarked that some preachers must have misread Peter’s instruction. One would have thought, he suggested, that Peter had written “feed my giraffes” rather than “feed my sheep” because they place the food so high that neither sheep nor lambs can reach it! If Bible teaching is to profit, it must be understood – and an elder must have the ability to teach (29).

Apart from feeding the flock, six further features of shepherding can be discovered in Ezekiel 34:4. Sadly, in Ezekiel’s day these were not being fulfilled.

1. The weak must be strengthened (NKJV). Rigid systems of legality have often stumbled weak Christians. The true shepherd will be gentle with the lambs, seeking to encourage their spiritual growth.

2. The sick need to be healed. There are many spiritually-sick Christians today. The caring shepherd will correctly diagnose the ailment and seek to administer a healing remedy.

3. The broken need to be bound up. Painful experiences have broken the lives of many of God’s dear children. The true shepherd will endeavour to understand the trauma and apply the healing balm of love.

4. The sheep that was driven away must be brought back. This sheep has not wandered but has been driven away by someone’s unkindness. Instead of blaming the one who has left, the understanding shepherd will seek to bring him back.

5. The lost must be found. A Christian can become “lost” to spiritual realities, and the caring shepherd will seek to bring about a recovery.

6. The Christ-like shepherd does not rule with “force and cruelty” but displays compassion.  It has been said that an elder does not dictate but indicate.  Rather than being “lords” over those entrusted to their care, Peter exhorted elders to be “examples” to the flock (30).

 

Diotrephes, who loved the pre-eminence, is the classic example of one who was no genuine shepherd (31). The true shepherd will be like the Lord Jesus and will serve willingly without being motivated by any kind of personal gain. He will seek to be an example to others – like the Saviour Himself (32). Those who are faithful in this work are promised “the crown of glory” when “the Chief Shepherd” appears – an eternal reward (33).

 

 

END NOTES:-  (1)1 Pet.5:2.  (2)H.A. Ironside, A Historical Sketch of the Brethren Movement, Loizeaux Brothers, 1985; page 29.  (3)Num.27:17.  (4)1 Kings 22:17.  (5)Zech.10:2.  (6)Gen.4:2; Heb.11:4.  (7)Heb.12:24.  (8)Gen.29:9.  (9)Ex.3:1.  (10)Ps.100:3.  (11)Is.63:11.  (12)Ps.119:176; Ps.23:1.  (13)Ps.78:52-53.  (14)Jer.23:1-4; Ezek.34:2-10.  (15)Ezek.37:24.  (16)Jer.23:4.  (17)Mt.15:24; Jn.10:16.  (18)Mt.9:36.  (19)Jn.10:11.  (20)Jn.10:28.  (21)Jn.10:3-4.  (22)Heb.13:20-21.  (23)Ps.23:6.  (24)Jn.21:15-17.  (25)Phil.1:1.  (26)Acts 20:28.  (27)1 Thess.5:12; 1 Tim.3:1-7.  (28)In 1 Peter 5:2 the word “flock” (also found in Acts 20:28-29) means a small flock. The threat of dangerous wolves scattering the sheep, which concerned Paul greatly in Acts 20, makes the task of shepherding so vital.  (29)1 Tim.3:2.  (30)1 Pet.5:3 NKJV.  (31)3 Jn.9-10.  (32)1 Pet.5:3; 1 Pet.2:21.  (33)1 Pet.5:4.  (34)Is.40:11.