A shepherd refers to a person who tends and takes care of sheep. Matthew 2:6 provides thus, “And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.” Here, God is comforting the people of Judah and making them aware that they are not alone because he is sending them a shepherd in the name of Jesus Christ who is born in Bethlehem. It is important to note that a shepherd plays three very important roles while caring for his sheep. These roles are to protect, feed and guide the sheep.
As a protector, the shepherd ensures that the sheep are safe and beyond the reach of predators, as a guide a shepherd ensures that the sheep do not wander away from his watch, and ensures that the sheep are in good health by providing food for them by guiding them to fields where grass and leaves are abundant. The passage above reveals the desire for God to present the people of Judah with a person who will be like a shepherd to them. In this case, the passage portrays the people of Israel as the sheep and Jesus Christ as the God-sent shepherd who will guide them. The text enables one to perceive the shepherd and just like an actual shepherd of sheep protects and knows the needs of every sheep, so does God protect and recognize the need to provide guidance to humanity.
Matthew 9:36 provides, “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” This text shows that humans need guidance from God for everything they do because without his guidance they will be like lost sheep. It is important to remember that if a shepherd of the sheep fails to follow the guidance of their shepherd then they are likely to die of starvation and are prone to attacks by predators. Considering this analogy to perceive the relationship that exists between God and human beings, the passage shows that if humans refuse to acknowledge the presence of God in their lives and start doing things independent of his guidance, they are bound to make stupid mistakes that will ultimately make their lives difficult.
Mathew 25:32 provides that “All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.” Here, it is important to note that sheep usually follow the shepherd while goats are predisposed to move in their own way thereby causing the shepherd a lot of trouble in trying to force them to move in a specific direction. As such, this passage shows that as a good shepherd, God is able to differentiate between those who follow his commands and those who do not. This is a reminder that a good shepherd is able to tell the difference between a sheep and a goat without difficulty, and with as much ease, God will be able to judge people based on good and evil for those who accept and those who reject him.
Accordingly, Matthew 26:31 regarding the striking of the shepherd and the scattering of the flock, the passage lay emphasis to the fact that if people lack a protector and a guide, they will be prone to influences from detractors. This passage warns that self-confidence even that which is build upon a strong foundation like the one Peter had can be eroded easily through one’s conscious or unconscious conduct and this is likely to have significant impact on a person.
Regarding Luke 2:8, the scripture is within the context of revealing the birth of Christ to shepherds who were still herding their sheep. The fact that such important news can be told to such humble mean men shows just how God needs his gospel to be preached, to all regardless of their social status, for his glory. In the book of Revelation 7:17 notes that God will solve the problems for each person who accepts to be led by his name and his chosen representatives. It is important to note that all the New Testament passages regarding shepherd demonstrate that God’s love for humanity transcends all barriers.
The role of an under shepherd is not authoritative but is a calling based on self-sacrifice, as is depicted in John 10:11-12. As such, an under shepherd is a person who has been called to serve others not to advance self-interest. The passages about shepherd provide an overview of the kind of shepherd that God wants us to be. The passages suggest that, as an under shepherd one is first shepherded by Christ and must then be able to give their life for others like Jesus did in order to guide others through a righteous path so that those who follow not get distracted and get lost along the way.
References
“The New Living Translation (NLT).” (2015). Tyndale House Publishers Inc. Retrieved From
https://www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?quicksearch=shepherd&qs_version=NLT
