The Lord is my Shepherd; He is the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls.
He is shepherd to us when He is first Lord to us. He is not shepherd to us if we are unwilling to listen to Him.
He gives His work of shepherding to His under-shepherds; He allots sheep to under-shepherds. It is His work; under-shepherds will give account for the sheep.
Sheep who are shepherded do not lack what they need; under-shepherds are tasked with the work of the Shepherd. All that the Lord would do, they are to do.
Sheep are to be made to lie down in green pastures; shepherding is teaching disciples to meditate in the Word. This can be taught.
Sheep are to be led gently to waters of rest; shepherding is guiding disciples to come to Jesus and drink. Disciples need rest; they need renewal. They need the work of the Spirit.
The souls of sheep are to be brought back from their wandering; shepherding is bringing disciples back from the love of the world. Sheep are near-sighted; they get lost easily. Disciples must be turned back from following their souls.
Sheep are to be guided in the well-worn paths of righteousness; shepherding is leading disciples in the Way. What His sheep do in their life matters to Him, His name is on them. If His sheep wander off, it is the Shepherd’s responsibility. If His sheep are eating a farmer’s grain, it is the Shepherd’s responsibility. There is a Way; shepherds should recognize when their sheep are not on it.
Sheep are not to be afraid of the dark; shepherding is being there with disciples in the darkness. It is the shepherd who carries a club; he can fight what threatens them. It is the shepherd who has a staff; he can take hold of his sheep. The under-shepherd must be there; through him Jesus shepherds.
Shepherding is oversight, not rule. The shepherd watches; he knows what is going on. He leads; he doesn’t drive. The sheep are not there to serve him; he is to serve them. He has a passion for them; he wants them to thrive.
What the under-shepherd does is significant to Jesus.
“And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.” 1 Peter 5:4
-Greg Whitten
