Grains of Sand

Pixabay, Public Domain Sheep need sufficient pasture or they will not feed well. They need quiet waters or else they will not drink. They need a place free from predators and danger or they will be too anxious to eat or drink. It’s the job of the shepherd to look after all these things. “ You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies ” (Psalm 23:5). It’s the shepherd’s job to “ prepare a table .” Hunger is an enemy. Thirst is an enemies. Snakes and wolves and thieves are enemies. In the human realm, the pastor-shepherd’s task is much the same. He must “ prepare a table ” so that hunger for Truth is satisfied. He must “ prepare a table ” so the thirst for the waters of salvation can be quenched. He must chase away the snakes-in-the-grass and the wolves-in-sheep’s- clothing that prey on his flock. He must deal with the thieves that rob the flock of peace and disturb them, making it difficult for them to benefit from the banquet that God has for them through th...

Pixabay (Public Domain) It’s all about the shepherd. Matthew 9:35-38 says: “ Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.’ ” I was struck by the phrase, “ …harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd .” It wasn’t that the people of Israel didn’t have leaders—there was an overabundance of those, military, political and spiritual. What they didn’t have were shepherds. As a result the people were “ …harassed and helpless, ” left to the wolves. Dare I say that the same thing is true today? We have many leaders but few shepherds. Jesus called for prayer. We often pray for young people ...