A few hours before his death, a founding member of Valley Fellowship gave me a ceramic lamb and encouraged me to shepherd the flock. Everett Brooks was ready for heaven, but he wanted me to finish the race God marked out for me. I keep that lamb at my office to remind me of God’s call upon my life.
Several times, the New Testament connects shepherding imagery with the responsibility of a church leader. Peter proclaims, “Be shepherds over the flock God has entrusted to you. Watch over it as God does: Don’t do this because you have to, but because you want to. Don’t do it out of greed, but out of a desire to serve.” (1 Peter 5:2 GW) In Paul’s farewell address to the Ephesian leaders, Paul declared, “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock that the Holy Spirit has appointed you to as overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.” (Acts 20:28 HCSB) Many within our modern twenty-first century society have little personal experience with sheep, but the shepherding analogy remains an apt picture.
“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” (Psalm 23:1 NASB)
Shepherding is an appropriate analogy for describing the ministry of a pastor or church leader. Jesus Christ is the Chief Shepherd in charge of His flock – the Church – and He knows the best methodology for the care of sheep and adopts the best approach for the care of His sheep. I should imitate His example in character and in care-giving. To emulate Him and become an effective pastor or under-shepherd, I must maintain firsthand relationship with the Chief Shepherd Jesus Christ.
My dad did his best to model for me how an under-shepherd should live in connection with Christ. I still honor Dad by attesting he was the same man at home that he was in the pulpit. Today, I opened a folder with some of my dad’s old notes and read something I thought was quite appropriate. On one of the pages was a handwritten outline of Psalm 23. I am pretty sure Dad was copying or paraphrasing something he had heard or read, but I don’t know from where. Here is what was written (with a few edits and added Scripture verses):
“He makes me lie down in green pastures.” (Psalm 23:2a NASB) He makes the sheep lie down in green pastures which He Himself has already surveyed as good and healthy for the sheep.
“He leads me beside quiet waters.” (Psalm 23:2b NASB) He leads the sheep beside quiet, restful waters that He Himself has already examined to be clean and pure for the sheep.
“He restores my soul.” (Psalm 23:3a NASB) He restores the souls and lives of the sheep – after He Himself has examined each sheep for its faults and hurts.
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“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4 NASB) He comforts the sheep with His rod and staff while they travel through dark valleys before which He Himself has traveled.
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.” (Psalm 23:5a NASB) He prepares good grazing land for the sheep even when they are surrounded by wolves, knowing a satisfying diet will keep the sheep from wandering away from the flock and being eaten by the wolves.
“You have anointed my head with oil.” (Psalm 23:5b NASB) He anoints all the heads of the sheep with oil which will protect and keep flying insects from bothering His sheep.
“My cup overflows.” (Psalm 23:5c NASB) He causes the diet of the sheep to be so satisfying which will cause their wool to be healthy and plentiful.
Dad, thanks for writing that down. I am pondering Jesus’ example as the Good Shepherd. Jesus called me into ministry as His under-shepherd. The call is real; the mission is vital; the task is formidable, but I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Essential shepherding duties seem to never end, but my personal connection with Jesus Christ provides me with the spiritual strength to accomplish His will.
“Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (Psalm 23:6 NASB)
