This Sunday is a Sunday that is traditionally known as “Good Shepherd Sunday”.
Most sermons that I have heard or read on Good Shepherd Sunday emphasize what a Good Shepherd Jesus Christ was. This is absolutely not in doubt.
As Jesus said, the Good Shepherd would lay down his life for the sheep, and Jesus laid down his life for the whole world. He was not just a Good Shepherd. He also was the sacrificial lamb who paid the sin price for all of us. His sacrifice is the reason we have the sure promise of eternal life. This promise is a gift that we accept by repentance and accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord. This promise is sealed by baptism.
And if anyone has not received the promise of eternal life through baptism, please speak to me, and we'll walk this road together.
Jesus Christ was prophesied to be a Good Shepherd for his people. In Isaiah we find one that the gospel records Jesus quoted when he spoke of
John the Baptist. You might have heard the words before." The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it."
John the Baptist also quoted this passage when the Pharisees came and questioned him about his ministry. I’m sure that John the Baptist also quoted
another part of that passage when he was preaching to the people, or at least often reflected upon as he considered God’s charge to him as a prophet. Listen to these words from Isaiah, "Lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God! Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. 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 young."
John the Baptist did lift up his voice with strength. He wasn't afraid when Jesus came to be baptized. He said, “behold your God.” When we read the 23rd Psalm, which was written by David, who also was a shepherd, we see the promise of a Good Shepherd repeated for the people of Israel and for everyone of us.
Why a Shepherd?
Why is the role of shepherd so important?
First and foremost, it sums up our relationship with Jesus. The sheep of a flock are under the authority of the shepherd. So it is with us. Jesus is our Lord. He is our creator. Second, the sheep and the shepherd share an intimate relationship. The shepherd cares and protects his sheep. The shepherd guides the sheep to the place that is best for them. For the Christian, the Good Shepherd is Jesus.
As I said, almost every sermon I’ve heard on Good Shepherd Sunday emphasizes that Jesus is THE Good Shepherd, but I want to leave you with
something more. One of the major roles that Jesus fulfills for us is the perfect example of what we should be. So, I want to talk a little bit about how we can be Good Shepherds. In a very large flock, there is one chief Shepherd, and many under shepherds. Jesus stated several times that he wanted us to be one body, one flock, one family. Today, despite all the work of the devil, there are millions and millions of faithful Christians.
This is why God set parents to raise children and pastors to minister to the church. And in fact to some degree we are all called to be
ministers. We are all to be kings and priests.
In business, there is a concept known as servant leadership. And Jesus called us all to be good servants. In common church language, the word deacon or deaconess means, servant or a slave. A Good Shepherd serves the needs of his sheep.
Eight Qualities of a Good Shepherd
The view of a Good Shepherd, caring for his sheep, underlies the entire Christian concept of a minister. The word Pastor itself means shepherd. I also
believe that the characteristics of a Good Shepherd are also the characteristics of any good leader, or good parent. Let me suggest eight characteristics of a Good Shepherd that we get from our readings today, taken from https://www.biblicalleadership.com/blogs/8-
qualities-of-shepherd-leaders/.
- Boundaries. Every relationship is defined and preserved by boundaries. Stepping over those boundaries damages or destroys the relationship. A true leader will establish and maintain boundaries. For the shepherd, there is a sheep pen within which only his sheep may gather (John 10:1-2). For leaders in every area of life, there are appropriate ethical, moral, and other boundaries that leaders need to establish and maintain for the benefit of those they lead. For Christians, these boundaries are clearly laid out in scripture. The collapse of many churches has come from trying to erase boundaries in some areas like sexuality, gender, and abortion. The Scripture calls the violation of these boundaries sin.
- Example. The shepherd "goes on ahead of [the sheep], and his sheep follow him" (John 10:3-4). Any true leader will lead by example. It is not a case of "do as I say, not as I do." True leaders must be worthy models to follow. In my days in the Marine Corps, one of the strongest concepts that was reinforced for leaders was leadership by example.
- Trustworthy. Sheep follow the Good Shepherd "because they know his voice" (John 10:4). This is learned over time from the consistent and caring treatment of the sheep by the shepherd. A leader needs to cultivate a deep sense of trust within those he or she leads. This is a quality in which one's voice evokes the character and care of a shepherd-leader.
- Provision. A shepherd provides good pasture (John 10:9). In Psalm 23, a 'sheep' says of the 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." True leaders provide for the real needs of those they lead. For instance, they do not grind down their employees in unhealthy environments at less than livable wages. They do not fire them without caring about what happens to them. When it comes to a leader's choices, a person should more important than a profit. A leader acts in a way that gives "life" to those he or she leads (John 10:10).
- Sacrificial. Five times Jesus speaks about laying down his life for the sheep (John 10:11, 15, 17-18). The Good Shepherd chooses personal sacrifice for the welfare of his sheep. The same is true of shepherd-leaders. They willingly experience personal sacrifice for the benefit of those they lead. It's not about the leader; it's about those being led. For Christians, this may actually mean literally laying down our lives for our brothers and sisters.
- Invested. The shepherd has a personal stake in the well-being of the sheep. A hired hand will abandon them when the going gets tough or dangerous—for him, it's only a job. The shepherd is invested in the sheep and sticks with them through thick and thin (10:12). So, it is with true leaders. They are personally invested in those they lead.
- Relational. "I know my sheep and my sheep know me" (John 10:14). The true leader takes the time and energy to build solid and genuine relationships with those he or she leads. Those led are not viewed as mere members of the congregation, employees, servants, or objects; each is known and treated as an "image of God."
- Visionary. Jesus had a vision of the future and lived for the fulfillment of that vision. In this case, it was increasing the size of his flock – those who would become his genuine followers (John 10:16). True leaders have a clear vision for the future and live toward it. A portion of Jesus‘s vision for us is contained in the words of the Great Commission and the charge for us to share the gospel to the world. This is not just a responsibility for ordained ministers, but for everyone who bears the name of Christ. As Saint Peter wrote, “but in your hearts, honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who ask you for a reason for the hope that it’s in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.”
These are a few qualities we can learn from the Good Shepherd to become better leaders and better followers of Jesus Christ.
During the last supper, John records, the words, Jesus spoke when He finished washing his disciples’ feet as a Good Shepherd tending his flock. Jesus said, “I have given you an example that you also should do, just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him if you know these things blessed, are you if you do them”.
May the Lord bless you, and strengthen you, as you practice the qualities of a Good Shepherd.
