Bible Reading: Isaiah 25:1-end
“He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with their young” – Isaiah 40:11 (KJV).
In continuing our discourse from yesterday we will be looking at some other qualities of a shepherd and relate it with the Bishop and Shepherd of our soul, Jesus Christ.
A true Shepherd’s rod and staff provides protection, comfort, confidence and boldness to the sheep (Psalm 23:4). Jesus Christ is the rod out of the stem of Jesse, and in John 1:1 the scripture refer to him as the Word by whom all things were made. The shepherd staff of Christ is the power and authority of the Holy Spirit by whom we are sealed. “…..in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise” – Ephesian 1:13(KJV). Through his word and the Holy Spirit we are preserved, protected, comforted and are made bold.”For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power and of love, and of a sound mind” – 2 Tim 1:7 (KJV). A true Shepherd must be ready to lay down his life for the sheep. “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep” – John 10:11 (KJV).
All these qualities are expected to protect, care, and provide leadership to the flock. Just as Moses was picked from a shepherd field to lead God’s people through the wilderness, and David a shepherd boy was prepared and anointed to be king over God’s people, in the same vein was Christ made to be the Shepherd and Bishop of our soul. “Now the God of peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant” – Hebrews 13:20 (KJV).
However, it should be noted that some acclaimed shepherd of the flock of Christ today have turned into wolves with shepherd garments. These qualities are expected to be found in those who are appointed shepherds in the Lord’s vineyard. But what we find today in some instances are self-appointed overseers, who have turned their shepherd function into commercially profitable financial enterprise. They have exploited their members to establish empires of great wealth while their members have nothing to show for. This is what the bible has to say about the greedy and selfish supposed leaders of the flock of Christ, “Yet they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, everyone for his gain, from his quarter” – Isaiah 56:11 (KJV).
Dear reader, you need a shepherd to help you navigate through this perilous times. There are dangers on the way that requires you to have a guard who knows the way to lead you properly to arrive at your destination. Life is a journey, the route you take determines the destination you arrive at. To arrive at the proper and God ordained destination you need proper guidance. God himself has provided that through the coming of Christ who is the Chief Shepherd. You need Christ in your life to be properly guided. God’s way is the true way and our Great Shepherd is that way (John 14:6).
Prayer: Keep me secured on the way Oh, thou Great Shepherd and Bishop of my Soul.
Bro. Joel Ezeugo