Shepherds Needed

The first shepherd mentioned in the Bible is Abel, who brought the firstborn of his flock as a sacrificial offering. The last shepherd mentioned in the Bible is Jesus, who offered himself as the ultimate sacrifice.

In between, many of the Bible’s best-known characters herded sheep. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob owned sizeable flocks and herds. Moses tended sheep in the land of Midian for 40 years before returning to Egypt to lead God’s people to the Promised Land. David shepherded the flock of his father Jesse in the hills outside Bethlehem, and later he wrote, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall lack nothing” (Psalm 23:1). The prophet Amos was a shepherd, and Isaiah pictured God’s love in pastoral terms when he wrote, “He tends his flock like a shepherd; he gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart” (Isaiah 40:11).

When Mary laid the baby Jesus in a manger wrapped in swaddling clothes, the angels announced his arrival to a group of shepherds abiding in the fields. Years later when Jesus “saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36). Jesus warned about false prophets who wear sheep’s clothing and harm the flock. By contrast, Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11). He told about a shepherd who had 100 sheep but ventured out to find the one that was lost.

There’s something peaceful about a flock of sheep grazing quietly on a hillside, but shepherding is serious business because sheep cannot survive without a shepherd. They need a caretaker to feed and water them; without a shepherd, they are hungry and thirsty. They need a protector to shield them from ravenous wolves; without a shepherd, they are vulnerable to attack. Sheep need a guide to lead them; without a shepherd, they can’t locate pasture or find their way back to the barn.

Respect for leadership is at a low ebb today. Sadly, some of the skepticism is understandable because so many leaders have let their followers down. Long-lasting hurts result when a minister betrays his flock by cheating on his wife or by misappropriating funds. Voters grow cynical when government leaders betray the public trust and put personal or party concerns above the common good. The Bible warns us to beware of power-hungry leaders like the selfish shepherds described in Ezekiel 34:2 “who only take care of themselves.”

But what about the parents who strive every day to bring up their children in a way that pleases God? What about the faithful elders who unselfishly devote countless hours to the local church, often without anyone saying “thanks”? What about the man or woman of upright character who runs for public office out of a sincere desire to make a difference for the glory of God? Do we grant these leaders the respect they deserve? Do we “hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work” (1 Thessalonians 5:13)? Do we find fault with them, criticize and mock them—or do we “obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden” (Hebrews 13:17)?

Everyone needs a shepherd. When you find one who follows in the footsteps of the Good Shepherd, be grateful—and follow too.