Shepherd is a person who takes care of sheep. Figuratively, the Old Testament pictures God as Israel's Shepherd-Leader. - Ps. 80:1; Ezek. 34:14 -

In the Old Testament Abel is the first shepherd mentioned in the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible. - Gen. 4:2 - Kings who led Israel and certain ministers are also called shepherds. The sons of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob herded sheep. Rachel was a shepherdess. King David, Moses and Amos found herding to be excellent preparation for future leadership roles. - Jer. 6:3, 23:4, 49:19; Gen. 13:7, 26:20, 29:3, 30:36; 2Sam. 5:2; Ps. 78:70-72; Ex. 3:1; Amos 1:1 -


The New Testament reveals Jesus as the Good Shepherd who gave His life for His sheep. When He said, "I am the good shepherd" - John 10:11 - Jesus life exemplifies these leadership traits. Jesus knows each of His sheep intimately.

The one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the flock; the gatekeeper lets him in, the sheep hear his voice, one by one he calls his own sheep and leads them out. When he has brought out his flock he goes ahead of them and the sheep follow because they know his voice. They never follow a stranger but run away from him; they do not recognise the voice of strangers. - John 10:3-5 -

Even in a large flock, one individual sheep will run to his shepherd when his own name is called. A trusted shepherd also provides loving protection for his flock.

The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice;
I know them and they follow me. - John 10:27 -

The presence of the shepherd also offers comfort to the flock. King David recognised this in Psalms 23. Sheep are content merely to be in the same field with their shepherd; Christians are comforted by the very presence of the Lord. This thought is especially comforting when darkness overshadows the believer. Jesus is our Door; nothing can touch our life without touching Him first. That is a perfect picture of the shepherd. He literally becomes the living door of the sheepfold. He curls up in the door or in the entrance of a cave. He puts his body between the sleeping sheep and ravenous animals or thieves.

One day Jesus the Chief shepherd will return and gather His whole flock into one fold, and divide the sheep and the goats. Until that time Jesus continues His search for every lost sheep. His sheep are to yield themselves to Him for His useful service until at last they will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

When the Son of Man comes in his glory escorted by all the angels then he will take his seat on his throne of glory. All the nations will be assembled before him and he will separate men from another as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on his right hand and the goats on his left. Then the King will say to those on his right hand, "Come, you whom my Father has blessed, take for your heritage the kingdom prepared for you since the foundation of the world. - Matt. 25:31-34 -; Matt. 18:12-14; Psalms 23:6 -

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Sunday, May 24, 2009

I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!

I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.

HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -