Practicing Christian Leadership, Mentor's Guide, MG11

1 2 2 /

P R A C T I C I N G C H R I S T I A N L E A D E R S H I P

Becoming a Good Shepherd

Devotion

Read John 10.7-18. The Christian leader is one who models his or her ministry based on the life and work of our Lord Jesus Christ. Perhaps one of the most familiar images of Christ’s leadership over his people is the analogy of a shepherd and his sheep. In the same way that a shepherd protects, feeds, leads, and cares for the needs of his flock, so our Lord Jesus cares for the lives of his people. The image of God as a shepherd over and for his people is a common testimony in the Scriptures (note: all verses are taken from the English Standard Version): Ps. 80.1 - Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock! You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth. Isa. 40.11 - He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young. Ezek. 34.12 - As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. Micah 5.4 - And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth. What these and other texts bring out is the intimacy, affection, and courage that a good shepherd has as the one who stands watch over his sheep. This is true of our Lord, only in an infinite manner. In the same way that a good shepherd stands and fights every enemy which would threaten the well-being of the flock, so our Lord fights for us, protects us, sacrificing his own life for us on Calvary. No one has ever shown such a valiant, complete, and satisfying love for his own like our Lord for his people. Now, what is truly amazing is that this image of our Lord protecting and feeding his flock is the very same image that God gives of a Christian leader in their disposition toward those whom they care for. What a remarkable vision and picture God provides us of Christian leadership–a shepherd who knows each of his sheep, cares for each one with genuine care, who sacrifices and gives and suffers for them. This is the picture of our Lord Jesus, and now, it must become the picture of our lives as we willingly lay down our lives for the sheep. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” May God give us grace as his leaders to become good shepherds of his sheep. Ps. 23.1 - The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

page 273 2

4