"And Jesus, when he came out, saw many people, and was moved with compassion
toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to
teach them many things." Mark 6:34
This is one of those rare times when you almost sense that Jesus may have been feeling a little overwhelmed by the size and scope of the need. He knew that if these people were to be reached He would need some help. That is why He had been preparing His disciples to be his under shepherds to care for His sheep.
Through these first six chapters of Mark He had called them and sent them out to do three basic but essential tasks:
1) To Follow Him
2) To Fish For Him
3) To Feed His Sheep
In the process He had modeled what a shepherd/leader looks like. Not all leaders are shepherds but Jesus calls His leaders to be just that!
Shepherds have internal
qualities that set them apart. Sometimes they do things other people do, but
shepherds have extra dimensions to their work that flow straight from their
hearts.
Shepherds have compassion
toward their sheep. They are not critical because they know their limitations.
They can empathize with those under their care.
Shepherds know their sheep by
name. They spend time with their sheep. They hear the same tired stories and
put up with a lot of mundane things, but it is here in the small talk that the
sheep learn their shepherd’s voice. Leaders don’t lead with voice as much as
with vision. They decide where the flock needs to go but don’t worry much about
who or how many are going.
Shepherds
are self-forgetful. They lay down their lives. When something isn’t working,
they try again because shepherds are attracted to the sheep. Leaders are
attracted to an idea. They are frequently worried about promotion and rank and
recognition.
Jesus is looking for disciples
to become shepherds, because the problem with the world is that so many people
are ―like sheep without a shepherd.
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