Good Shepherd

He restoreth my soul:

he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness

for his name's sake.

Psalms 23:3

If we, as leaders in our assemblies, follow the example of Jesus in caring for the souls that He has placed under our charge, we will shepherd them into the paths of righteousness. The reward for the good shepherd is great but woe to the shepherds who do not comfort those in the flock who are hurt, nor strengthen the weak, nor care for the spiritually diseased and the sick sheep in their charge.

Jesus was the only sacrifice necessary for the sins of mankind. You cannot die for your sheep in this way. Very few of us may never die in behalf of others or even as martyrs.

But to be a leader, you will have to "give your life" in other ways. You must sacrifice your own desires and selfish ambitions for others. There are many inconveniences in caring for people. It takes time and effort and, no doubt, it may interfere with your own personal plans.

Caring for sheep involves discipline. The rod which shepherds carried was used to prod the sheep into the right way. It probably did not feel good to be poked in the side by the rod, but it was necessary.

The rod of the shepherd is a natural example of the rod of the authority of God's Word which is carried by spiritual shepherds. The rod provides discipline. It does not always feel good, but it is necessary.

Leading involves discipline, reproof, and correction to keep sheep on the right path. When a sheep strays, discipline and caring involves going after them and bringing them back to the fold (Luke 15). You must lead sheep from sin into righteousness:  

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Psalms 23:3

In the natural world, sheep left to themselves turn to their own ways. They will graze the same area until it is ruined or they will scatter in all directions. The same is true of men and women:

All we, like sheep, have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6

By leading men and women in paths of righteousness, you discipline them to the ways of God.

In the natural world, a "cast down" sheep is one that has rolled over on its back and cannot get up by itself. It is an easy prey for animals as it is helpless. The shepherd must come along and prod it with the rod and motivate it to get back up on its feet.

Both sheep and believers become "cast down" when:

They Settle Down In Ease: In the natural world, sheep sometimes become cast down when they get into nice green pasture area and are happy and contented. They roll over on their back, kick their legs in pleasure. . . and cannot get up again.

In the spiritual world, believers often settle down in material ease. They get involved with pleasures and riches of the world. They are unconcerned about God, His Kingdom, and lost souls. When this happens they become ineffective for God and easy prey for the enemy. To help such sheep, you must focus their attention on eternal values and motivate them for the work of the Kingdom.

They Have Too Much Wool: When the woolly fur of sheep has grown too long, brambles and thorns start clinging to it and the sheep become weighted down with these things, becoming an easy prey for enemies. To help this "cast down" sheep, the shepherd cuts off the trash entangled in the wool. While he is doing it the sheep howls, struggles, and kicks.

In the spiritual world, believers become weighed down with "cares of this world" and the "sins that so easily beset us". These things must be cut off if they are to be effective for God. We may kick, struggle, and howl too, but it is necessary.

They Become Too Fat: Sheep who are too fat cannot right themselves again when they roll over on their backs. Some believers become too fat spiritually. They take in the things of God, but never give out. They do not minister to others, but just continue to grow spiritually fat themselves.

In the natural world, these fat sheep are not always the healthiest or most productive. This is true also in the spiritual world. Spiritual shepherds must get these "fat" sheep up and on the move for God.

Jesus said:  

And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. John 10:4

Leadership is just what the word implies: You must go ahead of the sheep and lead them. You do not just tell sheep where to go, you show them by moving out in front of them. You do this by practicing what you preach and showing them by your lifestyle rather than only telling them. 

The shepherd sets the example as a leader, not as a "lord" who shows off. 

Peter said to serve:  

Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.   1 Peter 5:3

You should not lead because you are asked, forced, or required to do so. Nor do you lead for the money, prestige, power or position.  You should lead because you want to lead. Fulfill your calling willingly.

Jesus said:  

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.   John 10:11

Jesus made this clear in the parable of the lost sheep in Luke 15.   All the sheep were obedient and where they were supposed to be, but one was lost. It was not convenient to go out looking for him at night. It was not comfortable or desirable. It was even dangerous. But the shepherd "laid down his life" and went to rescue the lost sheep.

The shepherd protects the sheep:  

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.  John 10:10

But he that is an hireling and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth; and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling flees, because he is an hireling and careth not for the sheep.  John 10:12-13

A good shepherd stays with the sheep and protects them, no matter what the cost.

Hirelings are leaders who use their leadership positions only for money, power, position, or honor. They are serving for "filthy lucre", or their own benefit. Hirelings do not really care for the sheep, so they flee when the enemy attacks.  Peter said:  

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; 1 Peter 5:2

Ezekiel 34 contains warnings to bad shepherds who ruled Israel. But the warnings in this passage concern all leaders who are bad shepherds. God promises "woe" or judgment on shepherds who:

→     Do not feed the flock:                                              Verse 2

→      Rob and take selfishly from the sheep:                Verse 3

→     Take care of themselves, but not the sheep:         Verses 2-3, 8

→      Do not care for the needs of the flock:                Verse 4

(They do not comfort those who are hurt, strengthen the sheep, or care for the spiritually diseased and sick.)

→       Do not seek the lost sheep:                                                    Verses 4 and 6

→      Rule with force and cruelty:                                                  Verse 4

→      Scatter the sheep:                                                                     Verses 5-6

→       Let the enemy destroy the sheep:                                         Verse 8

→     Let the diseases of sin and disunity destroy the flock:      Verse 21

However, ff you are following the Biblical principles of leading like a shepherd, you can claim this promise:  

And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.   1 Peter 5:4

(Biblical Studies)

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