The Apostle Paul holds up the image of the Original Shepherd:
"Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any
comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness
and compassion, then make my joy
complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of
one mind. Do nothing out of
selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above
yourselves, not looking to
your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others, In your
relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:Who, being in very
nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his
own advantage; rather, he made
himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in
appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death — even death on a cross! Therefore God
exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name
of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue
acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:1-11
Jesus was born to become the Shepherd for His people. A good Shepherd lays down His life for His sheep.
He was also the Lamb of God Who would take away the sins of the world.
How do you measure up to the Good Shepherd?
Paul, then shines the spotlight on two men who made the soulshift from sheep to shepherd. The first is Timothy.
"I hope in the
Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I
receive news about you. I have no one
else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. For everyone
looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know
that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served
with me in the work of the gospel. I hope,
therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. And I am
confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon." Philippians 2:19-24
What do you in Timothy that would help you shift from sheep to shepherd?
Another one Paul points to as one who made this soulshift is Epaphroditus:
"But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother,
co-worker
and fellow soldier,
who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs.
For he
longs for all of you
and is distressed because you heard he was ill. Indeed he was ill, and
almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to
spare me sorrow upon sorrow. Therefore I am all the more
eager to send him,
so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less
anxiety. So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and
honor people like him,
because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked
his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me." Philippians 2:25-30
What can you learn from Epaphroditus to help you make a soulshift?
Jesus was the Lamb Who became a Shepherd!
Timothy and Epaphroditus were sheep who became shepherds.
Learn from them to help you make this soulshift!