When I was in high school, my parents took our family to Israel. The collision of histories, sights, languages, and beliefs stretched my world.
Shepherding is still an important way of life in Israel. It’s common to see a shepherd taking his flock from one place to another. However, unlike the sheep herding I had seen back home in Texas (where a rancher on horseback typically drove the sheep forward), there the shepherd walks ahead of the sheep—leading the way. If something dangerous lies ahead, the shepherd faces it first. The sheep don’t have to worry about where they’re going. They simply follow in safety.
Emerging from this same culture and practice, the psalmist used this imagery of the shepherd to remind us of what God is like. Psalm 23 (one of the best-known passages of Scripture) reminds us that our concerns and well-being are in the Shepherd’s hands. Because the Lord is our Shepherd, we “have all that [we] need” (Psalm 23:1).
This Good Shepherd leads, renews, and guides us (Psalm 23:2-3). Nearly all of the initiative in Psalm 23 is the Shepherd’s, not ours. Most of the responsibility is on the Shepherd, not us. The Shepherd shows the way, and we follow.
To be sure, this doesn’t mean that we will avoid all trouble or danger in life. Rather, it means that even on those occasions when we must walk “through the darkest valley,” we have no reason to fear because the Good Shepherd is “close beside [us]” (Psalm 23:4). I find that a good bit of my anxiety comes from believing that I have to be the shepherd. But I don’t. God is the only Shepherd we will ever need.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Ephesians 4:1-16
More:
Read John 10:1-21. How is the imagery of a shepherd used here? What are some of the words John repeats that emphasize how we should encounter and follow the Shepherd?
Next:
How have you been tempted to move ahead of the Shepherd? Where is the Shepherd inviting you to follow?
mike wittmer on December 1, 2011 at 10:42 am
I like how this biblical viewpoint takes the pressure off of me. Thanks for this reminder, Winn!
winn collier on December 1, 2011 at 9:58 pm
pressure’s off. I need that reminder again today as well.
daisymarygoldr on December 12, 2011 at 6:44 pm
Good observation! To drive the sheep forward is herding cattle—the cowboy style. The shepherd leads his flock. Not so sure though about most of the responsibility is on the Shepherd, not us.
As the seminary professor Mike Wittmer may not have the responsibility of leading sheep. As a lay person I do not… and as a writer you too need not suffer any anxiety. However, as the Pastor you are certainly called to watch over the Lord’s flock. The primary responsibility of shepherding is to feed His sheep.
And yes, you are to lead them by your own good example of faithfully following the Chief Shepherd. No pressure but just a simple reminder—of the crown that you will receive from Him.
As sheep, we are also equally responsible, as you rightly said—to follow Him. You see, God’s flock are not blindly following and bleating around like brainless sheep. To follow, we need to hear and distinguish the voice of the Good Shepherd from other voices of strangers. It requires a loyal commitment to trust and obey the Lord even while walking through the valley of shadow of death.
Thanks Winn Collier for teaching us to follow and not move ahead of the Shepherd!
GChoo on December 1, 2011 at 12:38 pm
Thanks Winn. It is so comforting to know that God is the only Shepherd we will ever need.
winn collier on December 1, 2011 at 9:59 pm
so why do I keep looking for shepherds elsewhere? Foolish of me.
pri1465 on December 1, 2011 at 10:52 pm
Thanks for the today’s message Winn, It was very inspiring. Though we know this, we sometimes need to be reminded of it. So thanks again.
s2ml on December 3, 2011 at 6:58 am
Thank you so much for this message. It reminded me again that we will be ok where we are now. Xiexie ni.