As a young man I learned a valuable lesson from sheepherders in the mountains in the western U.S.A. So intently did they watch their flocks that nothing distracted them — not even conversation. Their dedicated, focused behavior illustrates the scriptural principles of shepherding: loving the flock, being prepared to serve and being available.
A Heart-Driven Activity
The Good Shepherd (the Lord Jesus) loves His Father and loves the sheep entrusted to him. “Those that Thou gavest Me I have kept, and none of them is lost” (John 17:1212While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled. (John 17:12)). “Of them which Thou gavest Me have I lost none” (John 18:99That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none. (John 18:9)). He values the flock more than His own life. Conversely, the hireling (John 10) does not love the sheep because they are not his. His care lacks dedication and discipline. When danger comes, the hireling decides that protecting the flock is not worth the personal risk, so he flees.
Paul shepherded the flock with tears as he warned them of the “wolves” that would come. “Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears” (Acts 20:3131Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. (Acts 20:31)). Jeremiah cared for God’s people fervently as well: “Mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the Lord’s flock is carried away captive” (Jer. 13:1717But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the Lord's flock is carried away captive. (Jeremiah 13:17)).
In biblical times, after gathering the sheep in their evening shelter, the shepherd would lie in the door or opening, placing himself between the outside world and his sheep. He became the way into safety, nourishment and blessing as well as being a barrier between the sheep and the outside world. Jesus Christ, our Good Shepherd, places himself between us and a lost eternity. “Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep” (John 10:77Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. (John 10:7)). “I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved” (vs. 9). The Lord went into death to save His sheep. “The good shepherd giveth His life for the sheep” (John 10:1111I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. (John 10:11)). “I lay down My life for the sheep” (vs. 15). The sheep respond to the Shepherd’s love: “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me” (vs. 27).
Risk
One reason there are so few shepherds these days is that shepherding involves risk. The shepherd in Luke 15 left the fold and went into the wilderness to save his lost sheep. Wanderers in the wilderness are in danger; those who seek them risk their own safety. The shepherd does this willingly, because he values the sheep more than his own comfort. To save lost sheep, our Lord and Shepherd left His Father’s side and entered a place where He would be abused, cursed, spit upon and hanged on a tree at Calvary.
Available, Involved and Watchful
Another reason there are few shepherds today is that shepherding takes a lot of time, a commodity that modern-day Christians hoard for themselves. The use of our time in the pursuits of this world, even legitimate ones, is one of Satan’s most successful tools.
A good shepherd spends enough time with his sheep to learn their individual characteristics. As he watches the flock he recognizes one with a tendency to stray and another that likes to eat weeds and briers that will sicken him. “Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds” (Prov. 27:2323Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds. (Proverbs 27:23)). “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints” (Eph. 6:1818Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; (Ephesians 6:18)). The shepherd who knows his sheep can redirect the wanderer and move the flock to nourishing food. In return, the sheep learn to trust him.
Today many shepherding attempts fail because no bond of trust existed beforehand. To be effective, the shepherd must be involved in the lives of the sheep and the lambs. Sheep must be fed, bedded, watered, kept from straying, schooled and guarded. There is simply no substitute for spending this effort and time with the sheep. The enemy of your soul hates the shepherd as well as the shepherd’s work. After all, guided and empowered by the Holy Spirit, shepherds can undo Satan’s handiwork and reduce opportunities for him to intervene. Satan knows this, so he tries to hinder aspiring shepherds.
Much of the work of shepherding is preventive work. Aquila and Priscilla recognized error in Apollos’ ministry and lovingly corrected him. “He [Apollos] began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly” (Acts 18:2626And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. (Acts 18:26)).
Returning a straying sheep to the flock can be simple when it first wanders. If stopped early, the sheep may not need to be pulled out of painful thorns or the wolf’s jaws. Of course, this preventive work can happen only if the shepherd is close enough to see the misstep and reach the sheep with his crook. It is imperative that we make the time necessary for this task. “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Eph. 5:15-1615See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. (Ephesians 5:15‑16)).
Twenty-first century Christians have very full lives and little unallocated time. We may want to help young believers, but have no time to serve them. Our schedule places us elsewhere when they stray. Many worthwhile activities fill our lives, but we must weigh these things against the cost of lost sheep and lambs. Jesus considered a woman living a sinful life (and, no doubt, shunned by her peers) and decided He needed to go through Samaria (John 4:44And he must needs go through Samaria. (John 4:4)).
David lived with his flock, and this put him into a position of service. Twice he saved his flock from predators (1 Sam. 17:34). When Samuel visited Jesse’s house to anoint a king and when Saul sent for someone to soothe him with music, David was with his father’s sheep (1 Sam. 16:11; 16:19). When he came to check on his brothers and ended up saving Israel from Goliath and his armies, his brother Eliab acknowledged that David’s normal place was with the family’s sheep (1 Sam. 17:28). A true shepherd stays near his sheep because he loves them, not because they love him. His love brings him to the place where he can train, care for, correct and feed them.
Being Ready to Serve
Christians may want to shepherd others, but may be unable to do so because they are unprepared. In addition to loving the sheep and being available, there are at least two personal prerequisites for effective service for the Lord. First, the shepherd must keep himself clean and ready to serve. “If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work” (2 Tim. 2:21). One cannot harbor evil in his own heart and counsel another who is at risk from evil. While no one on earth is without sin (sheep or shepherd), daily cleansing, foot washing and confession are effective and essential as we prepare to serve God and His people.
Second, a shepherd must search God’s Word diligently. An old servant of the Lord once encouraged a younger brother to study God’s Word by telling him, “If you want to help someone follow a scriptural life, you have to know your way around Scripture.” “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15). This principle seems so simple, but it is a common point of failure among well-meaning Christians. There is no more powerful way to counsel sheep than to illustrate the will of God with the Word of God.
Conclusion
Shepherding is good work. It is humble work, often without recognition or visible sign of profit. Remembering what our Great Shepherd did and does for us will give us energy to step into the wilderness and retrieve a straying lamb. It will help us spend the time getting to know His sheep intimately. Learning how much our Saviour and Shepherd loves all His sheep will increase our love for God’s flock. A look into Revelation illustrates that “even in Sardis” the need for shepherds and shepherding exists. “Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die. . . . Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white: for they are worthy” (Rev. 3:24).
D. Lamb