Shepherds and sheep

“We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.” (Rm 15:1-2)


The example Christ left us was one of serving each other, regardless of popularity or personal strength. Rather than forming groups comprised of men and women who have similar interests and faith, the body of Christ was to be a mixture of weak and strong; people at different stages in their walk with the Lord, encouraging each other.

In Ezekiel 34 the Lord addresses the congregation as shepherds and sheep. The leaders (shepherds) were abusing their position and taking the best for themselves. The stronger sheep were following their example. The Lord said to the shepherds “You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost. You have ruled them harshly and brutally.” (Ez 34:4) Like the shepherds, some of the strong sheep began to despise fellow flock members. They would not share the substance of their faith, nor position in the flock with the weaker sheep. The Lord said to the strong sheep, “Because you shove with flank and shoulder, butting all the weak sheep with your horns until you have driven them away, I will save my flock, and they will no longer be plundered. I will judge between one sheep and another.” (Ez 34:21-22).

One of the take-home messages of Ezekiel’s prophecy is that submission to evil does not repair the religious system. The Lord would bring His justice, judging between those who were to serve Him, and those who were to be served. To resolve the self-centered system that was in place, the Lord would appoint a new shepherd; Himself (Ez 34:24)

In our 5-fold ministry we have a list of 5 types of leaders for the Church, one of whom is a pastor, or shepherd (Eph 4:11). His role is described in Ezekiel’s prophecy as being one of giving strength, and healing to the weak, and of bringing in strays and the lost. Indeed, because of his authority, the pastor can accomplish a great amount of good, along with the other members of the 5-fold ministry and the flock itself. And yet, we see the same message in the end of the Bible, of the Lord ruling over His people Himself: “For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; He will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” (Rev 7:17)

We who rule are merely stewards of what belongs to God. Though we rule and reign with Christ here on the earth, we are His servants. The role of the servant is to present that which he is entrusted with to His master in good shape. Or in the case of people in a congregation, the servant is to care for and nurture them, presenting them to the Master in better shape than when he received them. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, nurtured His sheep and in His prayer to the Father said “While I was with them I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave Me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that the scripture would be fulfilled." (Jn 17:12). Again, we see the example set for us was one of nurturing, protecting, and bringing the weak into strength. This was the calling of the shepherd.

To walk as a leader in our churches is a position of both authority and servitude. For those focused on the power of this role, who place an emphasis on miracles and displays of splendor, their hearts will not be focused on bringing the flock up into their place. And because of the wrong focus, many sheep will stray. God is bringing His correction into congregations, judging between shepherds and sheep, and between the strong sheep and the weak. True leaders will bring this correction in order to present the Church as the Bride to her Christ. God is troubling the hearts of His people, for correction will not occur if men submit to evil. Jesus is coming in His Word to churches everywhere to turn the hearts towards the weak, that none be lost, for it is His glory to make the weak strong, the lost found, the sick healed, and to set the captives free. Amen.