THE TWO TYPES OF SHEPHERDS

By Michael K. Farrar, O.D.

© God’s Breath Publications

 

Isaiah 40:11

“He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.”

 

The young boy crept through the bushes on the rocky hillside. He had to be cautious or the shepherd would hear him. He had always wanted to be a shepherd as long as he could remember. He loved to sneak through the woods and among the rocks in the evening and watch the shepherds at work. They had a noble calling, to care for a flock of helpless sheep. They were brave and courageous for often they had to defend their sheep against vicious predators such as wolves. Once he had seen a shepherd kill a huge bear who was stalking his flock. Shepherds were also tender though; for he had seen them nurse wounds of little lambs and older sheep with the same care his mother had shown him when he had stumbled and fallen.

 

He hunched down between two large rocks to view the shepherd in the clearing before him. Something wasn’t right he thought. He watched the shepherd swing his crook as he ran through the flock scattering it in panic. When he could, the shepherd would strike a nearby sheep with so much force that the cries of the poor animal could be heard echoing through the valley. This wasn’t right. What kind of shepherd was this? He heard the shepherd laughing in a maniacal manner as the flock attempted to regroup. They huddled in fear as the shepherd ceased his cruel game. But the shepherd had only traded one evil action for another. The young boy watched in horror as the shepherd isolated several sheep and through coercion forced them off a small cliff. The young boy heard the thuds of the sheep as their bodies hit the rocks below. Tears welled up in his eyes. What was this shepherd doing?

 

The young boy hoped the worst was over but unfortunately it was not. To his horror the boy watched as the shepherd took out a sharp knife and lunged at a young lamb. The white fur spattered with blood as the little lamb died quickly. The evil shepherd gloated over his kill. The young boy could not believe what he was seeing as he watched the shepherd skin the lamb, cook it over his fire and eat it.

 

The young boy left his hiding place and returned home, committed to never, ever to behave like this cruel and evil shepherd. He vowed if there was any way he could bring this evil shepherd to justice he would.

 

In Jeremiah 23:1-4 and Zechariah 11:15-17 we have descriptions of evil shepherds like the one this young boy had seen. While God allows such shepherds in the world, He does not condone what they do. These scriptures not only describe the behavior of such evil individuals but also the judgment that awaits them. Shepherds who act in such a manner are doing the bidding of the Prince of this world, Satan. They scatter the flock. They seek to kill and destroy the heart, mind and soul of the sheep.

 

Thanks be to God that there is a true caring Shepherd who desires to sacrifice all for His sheep. Jesus showed by His example that He was and is, committed to looking out for our best interest. He not only lived to serve His sheep, He gave His life to save them. Scripture is full of Jesus proclaiming Himself as the good shepherd.

 

John 10:11-18

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me just as the Father knows me and I know the Father and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life — only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”

 

Paul speaks of Jesus as the great Shepherd in Hebrews 13:20-21, “May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

 

What would this young boy have seen if Jesus had been the shepherd over this flock of sheep on the rocky hillside?

 

He would have seen a strong, yet tender man constantly watching the sheep. This Good Shepherd would be talking to His sheep. He would be stroking them affectionately. He would call each by name. He would care for the young and old alike. He would show no distinction between any of them and would give His life to save any one of them. He would protect them from danger. He would go before them and lead them to nourishment. He would be ever watchful for danger from the environment but also from predatory animals that would seek to kill them. This great Shepherd would rather die than let any harm come to the sheep under His care.

 

Jesus is this good Shepherd. His sheep are those who accept Him as their Lord and Savior. His flock includes those who are willing to submit to His guidance and rule. They trust He knows best and seek to obey all He says to do. The sheep owe their very lives to Him and they are aware that without Him they are nothing.

 

This great Shepherd is always willing to add to His flock. He will never turn anyone away. His protection, guidance, love and instruction are offered freely to those who are willing to accept Him as their guiding Master.

 

Are you a lost sheep? Are you in the flock of the great and good Shepherd? Are you under the bondage of the evil shepherd of this world and don’t know it? Has the world fenced you in or taken you down the wrong road? I would encourage you to seek Jesus the loving Shepherd of souls. If you have strayed He will not beat you for leaving, He will grab you as the father did the prodigal son and love you with all His might. Don’t put yourself in mortal danger. Draw into the flock of God and experience the security and safety of the good Shepherd.

 

Psalm 23:6

“The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”