Tag Archives: Shepherds

COMPASSION JESUS’ WAY – 4

Christian Life, ,

Mark 6:34 NLT
[34] “Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.”

How do these thoughts on compassion Jesus’ way impact those of us who function as shepherds of God’s flock? Many of us, though not pastors or leaders in the local church, have a shepherding role in the lives of others…parents of children, teachers in schools…bosses in businesses, and so on.

We need to think beyond just telling them what to do. As children of God, we are all called to follow Jesus, to imitate Him, and to be an example to others.

We are examples of Jesus to others in one of two ways, bad or good.

God had this to say about some shepherds who used their shepherding function to their own advantage…

Ezekiel 34:2-4 NLT
[2] “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds, the leaders of Israel. Give them this message from the Sovereign Lord: What sorrow awaits you shepherds who feed yourselves instead of your flocks. Shouldn’t shepherds feed their sheep? [3] You drink the milk, wear the wool, and butcher the best animals, but you let your flocks starve. [4] You have not taken care of the weak. You have not tended the sick or bound up the injured. You have not gone looking for those who have wandered away and are lost. Instead, you have ruled them with harshness and cruelty.”

Jesys called these shepherds “hirelings”.

John 10:12-13 NLT
[12] “A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will abandon the sheep because they don’t belong to him and he isn’t their shepherd. And so the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock. [13] The hired hand runs away because he’s working only for the money and doesn’t really care about the sheep.”

There are many “hired hands” masquerading as shepherds in churches all over the world today, growing fat on the wealth they extract from the sheep, and feeding them on lies and deception. They are the ones who “steal, kill, and destroy”.

Ezekiel 34:5-6 NLT
[5] “So my sheep have been scattered without a shepherd, and they are easy prey for any wild animal. [6] They have wandered through all the mountains and all the hills, across the face of the earth, yet no one has gone to search for them.”

There are serious consequences for these hireling shepherds.

Ezekiel 34:10 NLT
[10]” This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I now consider these shepherds my enemies, and I will hold them responsible for what has happened to my flock. I will take away their right to feed the flock, and I will stop them from feeding themselves. I will rescue my flock from their mouths; the sheep will no longer be their prey.”

How many of these false shepherds are being exposed for what they are…big names in the Christian world but falling like bowling pins when God shows them up for what they are.

So, God sent His own Good Shepherd to find and care for His sheep.

John 10:14-15, 27-30 NLT
[14] “I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, [15] just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep….
[27] My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. [28] I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, [29] for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand. [30] The Father and I are one.”

Every human on earth is essentially a “sheep”. Throughout Scripture, people are likened to sheep. Like sheep, we are made to follow. We either stubbornly go our own way blindly following one another, or we mindlessly follow false shepherds who lead us astray. We are rebellious at heart. We have no inclination to seek after and follow the true shepherd unless, by God’s grace, our bent to go astray is changed.

Isaiah 53:6 NLT
[6] “All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all.”

God Himself took the role of the true shepherd by coming to earth to rescue His sheep. He died to pay for their sin. He lives to care for, protect, and provide for His sheep, calling and leading them to the best pastures and the purest water.

Ezekiel 34:11-16 NLT
[11] “For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search and find my sheep. [12] I will be like a shepherd looking for his scattered flock. I will find my sheep and rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on that dark and cloudy day. [13] I will bring them back home to their own land of Israel from among the peoples and nations. I will feed them on the mountains of Israel and by the rivers and in all the places where people live. [14] Yes, I will give them good pastureland on the high hills of Israel. There they will lie down in pleasant places and feed in the lush pastures of the hills. [15] I myself will tend my sheep and give them a place to lie down in peace, says the Sovereign Lord. [16] I will search for my lost ones who strayed away, and I will bring them safely home again. I will bandage the injured and strengthen the weak. But I will destroy those who are fat and powerful. I will feed them, yes—feed them justice!”

Just as God, historically, gave Israel a safe homeland, restoring the land of Israel to them and calling them home to their own pastures and quiet waters, so He calls all who belong to Jesus by faith into the safety of His kingdom and under His care.

Now, since Jesus is no longer with us as a human, He has entrusted to us, His under-shepherds, the role and task of caring for His sheep. He restored Peter to his shepherding role after Peter’s denial and betrayal of his trust in Him.

John 21:15-17 NLT
[15]”After breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.” “Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him. [16] Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.” “Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said. [17] A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.”

Jesus called Peter to be a shepherd in His church, a role which Peter passed on to his fellow shepherds, giving them the rule of thumb to guide them in their function and attitude towards the sheep.

1 Peter 5:2-4 NLT
[2]”Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. [3] Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. [4] And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.”

The sheep belong to Jesus, not to the under-shepherds who are accountable to Him. He appoints those whom He can trust to care for His sheep. He gives them authority to pass on His teachings, unchanged and intact, so that the sheep are fed the truth that will set and keep them free from those who would feed them unauthorised “junk food”.

Love for Jesus, our true response to His love for us, will keep us from becoming the mercenary hirelings who use the sheep to satisfy their own fleshly greed. If Jesus’ compassion for the sheep led Him to teach them “many things”, so with His appointed shepherds now, wherever we have sheep under our care, it’s up to us to be faithful to our calling. Teaching them the life and words of Jesus, the Bread of life, will heal their wounds, nourish their souls, and protect them from the toxic influence of the hirelings who have prostitued a sacred trust for their own gain.

LOWLY LEADERS!

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LOWLY LEADERS!

To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings, who will also share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under you care, watching over them – not because you must, but because you are willing as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. (1 Peter 5: 1-3)

What a lofty standard for God’s appointed leaders! Yet how paradoxical! Leaders must take the lowest position – that of servants, like shepherds caring for a flock of sheep.

What’s the basis of such a standard? Jesus! Peter watched him die. It was a flashback he would never forget. A bloodied figure hanging from a Roman torture stake so disfigured that He was hardly recognisable as a man. Like hamburger meat skewered on a pole; that’s how one translation pictures Him.

. . . His appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being and His form beyond human likeness. . . (Isa. 52: 13)

That’s what they did to Him and not once did He protest or resist.

He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth; He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth. (Isa. 53: 7)

So, where does the idea come from that church leaders must be a cut above everyone else? Swanky limousines, richly embroidered robes or designer suits, unlisted telephone numbers, even bodyguards, no less; titles they love to wear to boost their egos and give them authority! Is that how shepherds care for their sheep? Jesus said, ‘Don’t do it! You are to care for your sheep, not boss them around.’

Another flashback – a scene on the shore of Lake Galilee. Twelve men sitting around a coal fire eating breakfast. One is missing – he committed suicide. One hangs back, uncertain and ashamed. ‘Am I still accepted as part of this bunch?’ Breakfast over, Jesus talks to Peter while the others listen in. They may not have verbally denied Him at His trial but they were equally guilty of desertion. What will He say to Peter? Whatever He said would apply to them also.

Imagine their shock! ‘Simon, son of John . . .’ Not Peter, the rock, but Simon, one who hears, or listens. ‘Simon, are you listening?’ Yes, Lord, I’m listening. ‘Simon, do you love me?’ What! After all I’ve done to you, Jesus, is that all you have to say? Do I love you? Wait a minute! There’s a world of significance in that simple question.

Love is the basis of loyalty, trust, faithfulness, submission, obedience, commitment, perseverance, service, yes and even martyrdom – and Peter, your turn is coming.

Peter, do you really love me? If you do, feed my sheep and take care of my lambs. I am not giving you a position. I am giving you a commission. FEED my sheep; TAKE CARE of my lambs. That means that you have to shed your fancy clothes and your even fancier image of yourself and get down and dirty for my sake. They are my sheep and my lambs, not yours to bully and exploit for your own ends.

The standard is the same for every leader who follows after Peter – not little popes to rule over God’s people, but under-shepherds of Jesus to serve Him by caring for His sheep. This is not for opportunistic rogues who grab the position to enrich themselves at the expense of their underlings or to elevate themselves above others for image or status. This is a calling of God to be like Jesus to helpless people who depend on them for protection, provision and instruction so that they do not wander away and get lost.

Oh, that every leader who claims to be God’s shepherd would heed Peter’s words! What a sad day it will be for those who forget that they are accountable to God for every word and deed. How many of those who have enjoyed all the benefits of their treachery will hear the words of Jesus:

Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ (Matt. 7:21-23)?

Scripture taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

 

 

 

THE GOSPEL OF LUKE – HEAVEN INVADED EARTH

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HEAVEN INVADED EARTH

“There were sheepherders camping in the neighbourhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly God’s angel stood among them and God’s glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, ‘Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody worldwide. A Saviour has just been born in David’s town, a Saviour who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.’

“At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises.                        ‘Glory to God in the heavenly heights,                                                                                              Peace to all men and women on earth who please Him.'” Luke 2:8-14.

Why these shepherds? Why not Herod in his palace? Why not the ubiquitous Pharisees?

Why did the angel choir not rouse these important people from their sleep to tell them the marvellous news? After all, weren’t the religious people eagerly awaiting their Messiah? Why not the whole city of Jerusalem?

Imagine the front page article in the morning Jerusalem Herald? “Alien being announces birth of a Messiah! Last night an alien appeared to a group of shepherds on the hills outside Bethlehem with the story that a special child has been born in the town. Apparently this child, according to the angel, is alleged to be the long-awaited Messiah. A vast crowd of similar beings appeared to confirm the story with an eerie song in praise to God; so reported the shepherds.”

In keeping with the baby’s birth in a kitchen cum animal shelter, the only people to witness the angelic announcement were shepherds, men who did the most menial and despised job in Israel. Why? Think of it this way: Had the announcement been made to the wealthiest and most important people in Israel, everyone else would have been excluded. Tell the shepherds and, automatically, every class and level of society would be in.

Who else witnessed this other-worldly event? Apparently no one at this stage. No one else went running to the “maternity ward” to have a look at this new-born. In the middle of the night, while everyone else in Bethlehem was asleep, a group of shepherds and a young couple gazed in amazement at the sleeping child and wondered what the future held.

That’s how God works. The angels couldn’t keep their mouths shut in that holy moment. They exploded in an anthem of celebration, but only the shepherds witnessed the outburst. Then everything went quiet again. The little family was left to get on with the business of daily living and the parents the task of raising this boy to be an ordinary Jewish boy who had to grow up and learn like every other Jewish boy.

Luke doesn’t mention the drama of the visit of Persian astrologers who read the story in the star, and the subsequent escape to Egypt two years later. That was left for Matthew to fill in according to the purpose for his story.

A strange mixture of the natural and supernatural in this amazing event! A pregnant woman goes into labour far from home and gives birth to a baby boy in a borrowed shelter.  An invasion of angelic messengers announces the birth to an unlikely audience, a group of sleepy shepherds accompanying their sheep on a nearby hillside.

Their story? ‘This ordinary child is no ordinary child! He’s actually God’s Son. How can you be sure? Check it out for yourself. You’ll find Him in the downstairs room of the hostel in Bethlehem, not in the maternity ward at the local hospital. He doesn’t even have baby clothes on. All they had to wrap Him in was a blanket. The crib Joseph made for Him is back home in Nazareth, so they put Him in a feed trough.’

That’s how heaven invaded earth!

Let’s See For Ourselves

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LET’S SEE FOR OURSELVES

“As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over.’Let’s go over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us.’ They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angel had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.

“Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they’d been told.” Luke 2:15-20 (The Message).

Good for you, guys!

These men weren’t satisfied to take the angel’s word for it. This was a one-in-a-million event, after all, and they were not about to miss out on the opportunity to lay eyes on their very-long-awaited Messiah. Although they were the lowest of the low in society, they knew all about the hope of a deliverer that was promised in their Scriptures. They wanted to be the first to see the child and to keep that memory alive in their minds for years to come.

It was in the dead of night when they dashed off to the sleeping town. How were they to find the child and His parents in a town splitting at the seams with visitors from all over the country? Luke doesn’t tell us how they found the child. He tells us that they found Him; no doubt because they at least knew that the baby was sleeping in a feed trough.

How long did they tarry, gazing in awe at this brand new baby in whose future life lay all sorts of possibilities? Perhaps dawn was breaking and the people of Bethlehem beginning to stir when the shepherds reluctantly left the little family and made their way back to their sheep. They greeted every person they met with the story of the angelic visit and the exciting news that they had just come from the hostel where they had found that everything the angel had told them was true.

They must have been bone-weary when they got back to their sheep. Thankfully, the flock was still intact despite being left unattended. Perhaps they agreed to take turns in minding the sheep so that the rest of them could get some shut-eye. But how could they sleep when those magical scenes kept flashing through their minds? Perhaps they sat around the fire reminiscing about what they had just witnessed.

Back at the hostel, Mary couldn’t sleep either. She said very little to Joseph. She was too overawed by these events. Perhaps by this time they had a steady stream of visitors — people who heard the shepherds’ story and wanted to verify it. They had a busy day ahead. Now there were three of them to be counted. All the time, Mary was storing this all up inside, mulling over it and wondering what it all meant. Some day she would understand.

After all these exciting events, people soon forgot. They settled back into the routine of their daily lives; perhaps vague memories returned when the Roman soldiers, always around to keep order, sometimes to harass them, irritated them to the point of murderous hate. Then they longed for the Messiah who would deal with them and restore David’s kingdom, so they thought.

But locked up inside this tiny child lay a destiny far greater than an earthly kingdom and a royal palace. In that moment when He made His appearance, heaven and earth came together as a promise that, in this child lay the answer to earth’s most terrible plight — hell had invaded earth and ruined its perfection.

He had come to deal with that and to set earth’s course back to God’s original plan, a place for mankind where God and man can dwell together in perfect harmony in a huge family that mirrors their Father, recreated in the image of His Son.