May 7, 2006
Take Me to Your Leader
When we think about a Shepherd, we think about some one who leads sheep. Some one who takes care of their needs. They make sure that they have what they need on a daily basis for life. They make sure that they are safe from harm. One who guides them into good pasture with plenty to eat and drink. When think about shepherds I think of someone like David. He was a Shepherd before he became a king. He tended the sheep and when they were in danger from an outside predator, he fought and risked his life for the sheep of the flock he was tending. He had no regard for his own life, only about the lives of these helpless animals that trusted that he would always be there for them and keep them safe from harm. He knew these charges he had and they knew him. I also think of Moses. He was like a shepherd in how he led the Israelites out of Egypt. Through his prayers to God he made sure that they had food and water. He also provided for them spiritually when he brought the 10 Commandments down off the mountain. Not that they listened…All they did was complain. But even through their complaining, Moses still sought for what was best for his flock.
I know how Moses felt when all he got was complaining. Being a parent I considered myself as a shepherd in its’ own right. I have three little sheep at home that count on me to lead them. They look to me for direction. They look to me to provide for them and when they don’t get what they want….they act like Israel in their 50th year…never mind 40. My husband Ray and I are considered one of their Spiritual leaders as well as daily provider. We take our position seriously. We want to make sure that they are provided for in all aspects of life. We are doing OK in our shepherding as far as we can see. I remember when Ray and our 4 year old Shanequa went to the store to get snacks and they were going down the bread isle. When Ray decided to buy some rice cakes Shanequa piped up with “that’s the body of Christ.” He could not have been more proud as tears welled up in his proud daddy eyes. She had remembered that we use rice cakes at our church for some of the people at communion. There was another time when she was helping prepare the Lords Table before our Rejuvenation service and she had to help with “the Body and Blood of Christ.” When our Pastor told her that is was just bread and juice then asked her when it became the Body and Blood she responded “After the Pastor Joel blesses it”. Now you have to picture this 4 year old little girl…standing there with her hands on her hips…looking as if we had two heads for asking. But where can we as sheep herders get direction? How can we know how to lead our own flocks as well as the flock of our community and of the world? Who can we turn to be our role model?
In today’s passage, it talks about Jesus being the “Good Shepherd”. About how He knows His own and they know Him. They know His voice and follow that voice. He goes and finds the lost sheep and brings them into the fold so there will be one unified flock and one shepherd. He laid down His life for His sheep so that they may enter into the “Good Pasture.” A pasture of peace and redemption. Into a land where they can have a restored relationship with their Creator. A place where they will dwell forever. Now this is my kind of role model. By being a disciple of Christ we are called to become more Christ-like as we continue our never ending journey with our Lord. By following His lead we are concerned about the world around us and the “lost sheep” within it. We know His voice by studying scripture and learning to discern His will for our lives. We can go to Him in prayer for guidance and direction. By imitating the “Good Shepherd” we will be able to reach out to our neighbor, to the lost sheep, and help them to an understanding of the Good News.
We all want a leader or shepherd in our lives. We need some one to give us direction so that we are not feeling lost and alone. Unfortunately, there are a lot of bad leaders out there. They care not for the sheep that they lead but only their own skin much like the hired hand in the scripture today. When trouble strikes, they head for the hills leaving their sheep unattended and bleating with fear and confusion…exposing them to the world around them with no protection or guidance. How can we know who to follow? Well…ask yourself…are they following the ways of the world or the ways of God? God has given us a set of rules on how we are to live our lives. Do they follow them, do they need a refresher course or do they even know about God’s ways? What is the Spirit telling you? God has given us a sort of personality gauge in giving us His Spirit. Some people like to call it their gut feeling. Are you listening to that still small voice within you? It’s there if you are listening. Are you studying scripture? God uses His word to speak to us. Are you spending time in prayer? God does answer prayer and speaks to us in our prayer time if we only but quiet ourselves.
What will you do? We are called to become more Christ-like as we journey with our Lord. Will you be like the hired hand caring for the sheep…and with the first sign of trouble…when you are ridiculed or your life, as it is, is threatened… will you run and head for the hills to save yourself? Or will you be like the “Good Shepherd”, the Risen Christ, and reach out to the least, the lost and forgotten with no regard for your own life? Will you lay down your life for the sheep of the fold?
Who is your Shepherd today? Are you following the world as your leader or are you following the one true leader, the “Good Shepherd” found in our Lord Jesus Christ?
AMEN
by Pastor Ruth Foss
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