Shepherds of God's Flock

I’ve been amongst the 99: free from fear and resting beside still waters. And if I’m being honest, I’ve frequently been the one, too. The one that ran away. Too scared, too ashamed, too whatever to see that I was too loved to be forsaken, forgotten, or forbidden from returning.

Too stubborn to look behind me to see my Shepherd—too faithful to shrug off the loss of one—in close pursuit.

I share my testimony, the words God has whispered into my heart. Most often, I do it just like this: written word. I pray for others. I join my brothers and sisters in worship. Yet, despite it all, I’ve never looked at myself as a hired hand, so to say. A shepherd working under the Shepherd to round up lost sheep.

Maybe you haven’t either. Maybe I can help you change that as it was changed for me.

Because the truth is, all believers are hired sheepmen tasked with the same job: to round up any lost and straying sheep. If you know Jesus as your Lord and personal Savior, then He has rushed the Holy Spirit—His dead-raising, life-breathing Holy Spirit—upon you to shepherd His people. Jesus says so Himself in John 7:37-38 “Let anyone who is thirsty come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”

That living water is the Living Water, the Holy Spirit, which has been gifted to us for . . . not just us. Jesus gives nothing for personal elevation. That’s not the point. We’re not the point. We were given the Holy Spirit to help us and guide us as we help and guide others. Make heaven crowded, grow big Christians, glorify no other name than that of King Jesus.

Skip ahead to John 14. With the power of the Holy Spirit, we are told we will do even greater things than the works Jesus did (v.12). He lived so His people would know the Father. He died so they could join Him. We are to carry on the work He started, and we are told that He (Jesus) who started a good work in us will finish it. (Philippians 1:6)

If you believe in God, then best believe He has already started that work in you. John 8:47 tells us whoever belongs to God hears what He says. John 10 doubles down on this in talking about the Good Shepherd with a capital S: Jesus. His sheep hear His voice.

And what is it He is saying?

“Feed my lambs.”

“Take care of my sheep.”

“Feed my sheep.”

(John 21:15-17)

Who feeds and tends to sheep? Shepherds.

The Good Shepherd tends to His flock, meets their every need. He provides them with food and makes them rest. He protects them, and He lays down His life for them. (Psalm 23)

And He did. And now it’s our turn.

Now He’s not calling us to literally die in this text, but to elevate His sheep’s needs over our own.

“He will go to no end of trouble and labor to supply them with the finest grazing, the richest pasturage, ample winter feed, and clean water. He will spare Himself no pains to provide shelter from storms, protection from ruthless enemies and the diseases and parasites to which sheep are so susceptible. — From early dawn until late at night, this utterly selfless Shepherd is alert to the welfare of His flock. — Repeatedly throughout the day He casts His eye over the flock to make sure all is well. Nor even at night is He oblivious to their needs.” (source: W. Phillip Keller “A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 https://a.co/d/0jcvtEMa)

Such is the love and diligence the Shepherd shows to His flock. Ceaselessly laying Himself down for their good. He humbled Himself . . . becoming obedient even to the point of death on a cross. (Philippians 2:8)

We, also, must humble ourselves. We can never outlove the Good Shepherd, but we can do our part to lead other lost sheep to the green pastures He promises. (John 10:9, Psalm 23)

Jesus is not only the Good Shepherd, but also the Gate into the pasture. And it’s a low gate—one only the humble can enter through. (St. Elizabeth Seton)

Not one of our lives is the product of chance. We were created, custom-made, within rhyme and reason and definitely with purpose. The God who made the mountain majesties and serene sunrises calls us His best work, created to do good works which He has already prepared for us. Created to thrive. (Ephesians 2:10)

I’m going to tie it all up with the lyrics to a song. Casting Crowns is my very favorite band. There’s not a single significant moment of my life or feeling I’ve been crushed under where I haven’t heard the Shepherd cry out to me through their lyrics. He’s calling all of us here, reminding us that we are spirit-filled and with purpose.

“Into the world, we’re reaching out,

To show them who You are.

So Living Water flowing through,

God we thirst for more of You.

Fill our hearts and flood our souls

With one desire.

Just to know You and to make You known.”

(Casting Crowns “Thrive”)

Go thrive, fellow sheep. Let the lost and the stragglers see the One who sent you. Let them follow you home, through the Gate and into green pastures.