Shepherds Part 2

A good example of selfless service is found in Mark 10:45 Want a servant heart ? Want the office of servant? Be spent for the Lord ! Acts 20:17-38 This passage is raw with emotion, truth and honesty. Paul exhorts these christians to be dilligent in their walk and the things to look for in a shepherd who cares for the flock that they have been entrusted with. A truly moving passage on the eve of the Apostle Paul's departure.

The results of self serving leadership for Israel are seen in vs:5-6. To say, "there was no shepherd:" This means that having leaders who seek to be served , rather than to serve, is basically the same as having no leader at all; therefore, the people of Israel were like sheep without a shepherd. Matt 9:36-37.

34:7-10 The crimes of Israel's leaders come under review before their punishment was pronounced. God has reviewed the case against the shepherds . He has examined and weighed the evidence against that of His own faithful nature and passes judgement and sentencing upon the self serving shepherds who couldn't be bothered to search out the scattered sheep of Israel . [ Story] Several months ago around Sept/02 I was driving down the highway with my window down and twenty dollars blew out the window that I had shoved into my shirt pocket . I of course pulled my vehicle over and stopped and ran back quite a distance to the other side of the road looking along the ditch until I finally found the twenty dollars. As I reached down to retrieve this very valued twenty dollar bill, my last twenty I might add, I heard the H.S speak so clearly and said, "I searched for you and gave myself for you when you were so lost as though you were the only one that existed. I ask you Gerry. Would you search so diligently for the lost sheep in the ditch of life as you have this day for your lost money"? I was speechless and returned to my vehicle. As I sat there pondering over what the Lord had just dropped into my heart I realized that this was an urgent call to serious evangelism to reach the lost sheep that are waiting to be found!

34:17-19 Get this picture in your mind. Do you see it? The goats and rams had taken over the green pastures. they had eaten all. And as though that wasn't enough they tread down with their feet the residue of the pasture. The word residue means: The remainder or what was left.

They also drank of the clear waters , streams but again they fouled the remaining waters with their feet.they had muddied the waters of the Lord which were originally appointed for the sheep. But now here it is - see it - fix this picture in your mind and bring it into these days we live. You shepherds which have eaten the best for yourselves and what little that was remaining you've trampled under foot until there is no sustanance left in it, yet this is what you have fed my flock after you have destroyed it.

I believe that every time a pastor/shepherd quenches,hinders or grieves the H.S by pushing their own agenda/program of the church as though it is their church/flock this grieves the H,S and hinders the supernatural from being accomplished. Thus muddying the waters with their feet which was intended for the flock. Is this how a shepherd cares for the flock?

Also, you have drunk to your fill of the streams of the Lord's bounty, And as though that was not enough you muddle around in the cool , crystle streams that's for refreshing my sheep until you have stirred it up and muddied it, so that that is all they get to drink. Is this how the shepherd cares for the flock?

34:20-23 God assures the sheep !

God would continue operating as the chief shepherd through this chosen future ruler from the Davidic line . He is the Messiah-God's only Son and his servant. That brings us back to that earlier passage . Mark 10:45 Jesus came to serve and give His life as a ransom !

Shepherds

Throughout the Bible the image of the shepherd is very important, from David, the shepherd boy who became the first king of Israel, to Jesus Christ, who said of himself. I am the good shepherd". The shepherd represents one who loves and cares for the flock just as a leader or ruler cares for those who are under his charge. Some characteristics of a good shepherd include feeding the flock , tending the weak and the sick, searching for the lost, guiding with love, gathering and protecting the sheep and giving one's best to them. On the other hand, a bad shepherd is more concerned about feeding himself, worrying about his own health, guiding with a heavy hand, abandoning or scattering the flock ,and keeping the best for himself. Having things done his way.

It is easy to see in these comparisons why the scriptures often exhort leaders to be shepherds to the people. A good leader is concerned that the people's physical needs are being met and that care is being provided for the sick and injured. A true leader looks for those who have fallen away. He leads like a shepherd by providing direction and correction, not with a fist but with a loving hand. A good leader protects those under his care and does not lead them to feed upon dry waistland nor does he muddy the water and then try to get them to drink from fouled streams. He cares for their well being . Because Jesus called Himself the good shepherd, it is clear that He is the one about whom Ezekiel prophesied. He is the one who searches for the sheep 34:11 saves them 34:12 guides them 34:13 and supplies their needs 34:14; In John 10. Jesus self sacrificing life provides the perfect blueprint for making a good shepherd and leader.