Shepherds of God’s people

We live in a small village in central Scotland near the Clyde Valley. Our village is surrounded by fields of sheep. Since moving here it has been fascinating watching the sheep, from the new lambs in the spring to becoming grown sheep ready for market.

The farmers and their families look after them to see that they have sufficient hay in the winter, that they are moved from field to field to prevent one field being over-grazed, and to insure that they are healthy. When I see the farmers with the sheep it reminds me of the many scriptures that talk about the leaders of God’s people as shepherds.

“‘Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture!’ declares the Lord. Therefore this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says to the shepherds who tend my people: ‘Because you have scattered my flock and driven them away and have not bestowed care on them, I will bestow punishment on you for the evil you have done,’ declares the Lord. ‘I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and will bring them back to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and increase in number. I will place shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or terrified, nor will any be missing,’ declares the Lord.” (Jeremiah 23:1-4 NIV)

At times there is a tendency for leaders to want everyone to agree with them. If someone doesn’t agree then they are made to be unwelcome or told to go elsewhere. Yet this is not the picture of leadership that we see in the writing of God’s prophets. God’s leaders, whether of Israel or of his people today, have the role of shepherds. The problem Jeremiah was identifying was that the leaders of his day were not taking care of God’s flock but were scattering them. As a result they people were ending up in captivity. The leaders who were supposed to be shepherds were scattering God’s sheep.

But notice that God would still take care of his people. He would bring his sheep back to their pasture and place shepherds over them who would take care of them. It is sad when those who are supposed to be taking care of God’s people have an agenda that centres on what they want. The people of Israel and Judah faced that; we can also be faced with it. But God knows what is going on. He cares for his people, his flock. Our leaders need to realise that they are answerable to the ultimate shepherd (1 Peter 5:1-4).

“‘The days are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The Lord Our Righteous Saviour.’” (Jeremiah 23:5-6)

God was talking about the coming Messiah, the one from the line of David who would be King. He was referring, of course, to Jesus. Jesus referred to himself as as “the good shepherd”.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep…I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me – just as the Father knows me and I know the Father – and I lay down my life for the sheep.” (John 10:11-15)

This is what a good shepherd does. He cares for the flock to the point that he would defend them with his life. This is such a contrast to the shepherds of Israel that Jeremiah was dealing with who were scattering the sheep.

Isn’t this a needed message to those who serve as God’s shepherds today? What view do we have of the Christians we are supposed to be taking care of? Are we concerned about their faithfulness? Are we willing to do what is needed to make sure they are taken care of?

Photo by Jon Galloway.

Readings for next week: Jeremiah 23-30