PASTORAL THEOLOGY
SHEPHERDING
Lecture 6
Sheep, Shepherds, and Feeding
WHAT IS A SHEEP?
Sheep are mentioned in the Bible more than 500 times, more than any other animal. The prominence of sheep in the Bible grows out of two realities. Sheep were important to the nomads and agricultural life of the Hebrews and similiar peoples. Secondly, sheep are used throughout the Bible to symbolically refer to God's people.
The Bible describes close relationships between shepherds and their flocks of sheep. It is known that sheep can instantly recognize the voice of a familiar trusted person, and they have excellent memories for faces.
Jn 10:1-5 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
John 10:26-28 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
Males are Rams; Females Ewes; young called Lambs
“The most familiar figure of Palestine was the shepherd. And sheep were esteemed, not despised; they provided a livelihood, and were the shepherd’s friends through the long days and nights on the Judean hills.” (Pastoral Care in the Church)
They provide food (mutton, lamb), milk, clothing (skins and wool), and as a covering for a shelter (i.e. the Ram’s skin died red used for the Tabernacle). Is there any other animal that provides all 4 ? even 3 ?
The sheep symbolizes meekness, patience, gentleness, and submission
Sheep were the most important sacrificial animals.
Sheep were created by God to be shepherded by man; they were not intended to live in a wild state; however, there are a few that have decided to do so; there are 11 wild species, the most notable to Americans would be the Bighorn sheep.
Sheep desperately need a Shepherd
Mark 6:34 And Jesus, when he came out, saw much 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.
Sheep tend to wander astray if they don’t have a Shepherd.
1 Peter 2:25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
Ps 119:176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.
Isa 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Sheep are pretty easy going and will do just about anything they are led to do.
Acts 8:32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:
WHAT IS A SHEPHERD
A shepherd practices shepherding; thus, he herds sheep. He takes care of a herd of sheep…well, actually, a flock of sheep. There is absolutely no doubt that a shepherd takes care of sheep. Thus, there is absolutely no doubt that a pastor (shepherd) takes care of church members (sheep of the flock). The pastor may preach, teach, be in charge of the business of the church, run meetings, go to conferences, help plan and purchase buildings, but, the number one thing that he is to do is to shepherd that flock that the Lord has given him charge over.
Prov 27:23-24 Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.
A pastor needs to look well to his herd. He needs to be very diligent to know how they are doing.
Jer 3:15 And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.
God wants the sheep to have a pastor (shepherd); He gives the flock a pastor according to His own heart. He wants these pastors to feed the sheep.
Matt 9:36-38 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
There are so few labourers, shepherds, and there are many sheep having no shepherd. Oh how it breaks the Saviour’s heart!
Criswell’s Book: pg. 273, 276
The very first shepherd was Abel. He was also humanity's first murder victim, slain by his brother Cain. Abraham and Moses were shepherds. King David was the best known shepherd of Bible history. He wrote the beloved Psalm 23. Shepherds were the first people to see the newborn Jesus Christ.
The wandering sheep so desperately need someone to lead them through the pastures of life… a shepherd. The pastor is to lead the flock of God with patience, love, carefulness, and concern. Every sheep must be accounted for and every sheep must be fed. No one can slip away without notice. The crook of the staff is to nudge them into the paths of righteousness. If the pastor is leading well then there should be no want (Ps 23).
Interestingly, a pastor (shepherd) is a sheep himself; he becomes a sheep in shepherd’s clothing. He is a sheep that has to stop acting like a sheep and become a shepherd. What an oddity, indeed.
FEED MY SHEEP
What do real pastors of sheep do?! They basically make sure their sheep get fed. What do real sheep spend a majority of their time doing? Feeding! I never see sheep doing anything else (other than sleeping). Thus, the number one task of a shepherd is specifically the feeding of the sheep.
John 21:15-17 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
Peter was going to be left to take over the role of ‘chief shepherd’ of that flock (the church of Jerusalem).
But, Peter was not fully committed to being their shepherd yet. His infamous statement “I go a fishing” painfully showed that. Jesus Christ had to make sure that Peter was going to be committed to feeding His sheep.
It was very, very important to Jesus Christ that this would be done, and done faithfully and whole-heartedly. If the shepherd really loves Jesus Christ, he will make very sure to feed His sheep. Pastor, don’t say that you love the Lord if you aren’t very much involved and committed to feeding His sheep! Peter had to be repremanded 3 times…it should have only taken one time.
There are sheepish Shepherds – they aren’t really that interested in shepherding sheep. They often will follow the “Peter Principle” – having something else in life that they focus on other than feeding the sheep (i.e. being a famous preacher, building programs, administration, etc.).
He told Peter to “feed MY sheep”; they aren’t ‘your own’ sheep; they are Jesus Christ’s…the flock of God…not the flock of Warner, etc.! Don’t ever say ‘my church’, or ‘my people’…it’s the Lord’s.
Jesus Christ gave the shepherd (pastor) to fulfill the job of ‘edifying the body of Christ’.
Eph 4:11-13 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
He is to be busy working this job.
How much time should a pastor, shepherd, spend preparing for and actually feeding the flock?! Is 30 minutes preparation and one meal a week reasonable?!
A pastor should prepare to feed the sheep daily: at least have a meal ready for those that are hungry.
Three big meals on Sundays , another big meal on Wednesday night, maybe a special meal on a Thursday(Bible studies), very meaty, hearty meals weekly (Bible college), etc.. The more he feeds them, the better. What’s your feeding schedule like?....
What are you there for? - “conducting services”; “filling the pulpit”; “running the business”??? Your main job is feeding thosesheeps until they are perfect. God has equipped you with the gift of pastoring and teaching. If a pastor is not doing this, that pastor may need to go out to pasture…