PAY THE PRICE FOR THE SHEPHERD'S HEART

"But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd." Matthew 9:36(NKJV)

BIBLE READING: MATTHEW 9:35-38; 1 PETER 5:1-4; EZEKIEL 34:1-32; JEREMIAH 23:1-8

Authentic pastors in the Body of Christ are not the Central Executive Officers or Managing Directors of any business. Heads of Department in the Church are not drill sergeants harassing the privates and recruits. Every Genuine Spiritual leader is called by the Lord God Almighty to provide Care, Love, and Leadership for a flock of His Own sheep (Jn. 21:15-18). All leaders are called to pattern their leadership after the Model of Jesus Christ the Good Shepherd. As recorded in the Sixth Chapter of the Gospel, according to Mark, the Lord Jesus was bothered by the fact that His Flock was wandering aimlessly "like sheep without a shepherd"(vs 34). Every sheep needs a good shepherd who would naturally and selflessly care for the flock. Unfortunately, there is a plethora of people all over the world who were once committed members of Local Churches within the Body of Christ who now sit at home, deceiving themselves into believing that they are fine because they live a relatively Moral life and recall some of the Spiritual Doctrine they learned years ago. But currently, they don't identify with a Church, and they have failed to submit under the oversight of a shepherd. They no longer recognize green pastures but rather overgraze where there once were. They have stopped drinking from still waters and are lacking protection in the valley of the shadow of death (Ps. 23).

In I Peter 5:1, the minister was told to “feed the Flock of God which is among you.” Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 2:20 that his protege and Spiritual son Timothy had the heart of a shepherd:

“For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.” The Twenty-third Chapter of Jeremiah contrasts wicked shepherds and good shepherds. In verses one and two, we read about the former: “Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of My Pasture! saith the Lord.” Therefore thus saith the Lord God of Israel against the pastors that feed My people; “Ye have scattered My Flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the Lord.” In verse four, we are told about the blessing of having the latter: “And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the Lord.” We must never forget that in executing the Ministry of the shepherd, our eyes must move from the income and be firmly fixed on the outcome. The beautiful thing is that the latter would always determine the former. The Lord grants us Understanding.

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, we exalt You for being our True Shepherd. O Lord, please give us a heart like Yours and grant us the Grace to pay the Price in Jesus' Mighty Name. Amen.