Shepherd - I

Laying down my life?

MEMORY VERSE

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." (John 10:11)

REFLECTION

What does shepherding have to do with us following Jesus?  Aren't our pastors the ones that are supposed to be shepherding us?  While that’s true, if we desire to be Christ-like, and Jesus is called the good/great/chief Shepherd, then that must mean that we, too, not just pastors or elders, are called to shepherd others.

Unfortunately, being an actual shepherd is not a common profession these days, so we probably have a limited understanding of what the characteristics of a good shepherd are.  But the Bible has much to teach us about this, with one of the more familiar passages being Psalm 23.  A great book that breaks down this psalm from a real-life shepherd’s point of view is A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 by W. Phillip Keller – a very helpful read.

Here, though, I’d like to very briefly think about John 10:11 and what it means that a “shepherd lays down his life for the sheep”.  Does it really mean that we should be ready to die for others or does it mean that we should be willing to make some sacrifices for others?  I think the answer is yes to both.  It’s easier for us to think about sacrificing our time and resources to help others and certainly that’s one aspect of shepherding – caring for the needs of others.  But the Bible clearly says “lays down his life” – radical but unavoidable – we should be willing to die for others!  Wow, are we willing to commit to that?  The reality is that Christ laid down His life for us, so that we, through His strength and grace, can slowly begin to understand how we might live this out practically as His followers.

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

1.  What are some qualities of a good shepherd that you can think of? 

2.  Who in your life would you consider as having shepherded you well and why? 

3.  What do you think it means to lay down your life for others?

ACTION STEPS FOR THE WEEK

1.  Memorize and meditate on John 10:11. 

2.  Look up passages in the Bible that reference the word shepherd, especially Psalm 23, and ask for the Lord’s guidance on how you might follow him by shepherding others.

3.  Ask someone you know how you might be praying for them.  Then, set aside (“sacrifice”) some of your time each day to lift up that person in prayer.  Then, make a point to follow up with them.