The Scriptures give many analogies of the Church and one of course is the picture that we are His Sheep. When I read the passages that convey we are the sheep of His pasture, and that He is our Shepherd I am greatly encouraged. There is so much peace and comfort that comes from knowing that I am in a pasture of His choice where He supplies all I need. I am His sheep and He is my Shepherd. Beautiful!
Also, the church is a flock and we have ‘undershepherds’ so to speak that the Lord has called to lead His sheep…these are local Pastors. All the beauty of the above applies, in my mind at least, to local churches and their shepherds as it does our Lord to His Church. I am not equating local Pastors to the Lord, but I am saying, that local Pastors are shepherds that provide, care, and lead the sheep.
So…why? Why do God’s sheep mistreat Gods’ shepherds? It hurts my heart and I just don’t cognitively understand it! Just last night, I heard a young couple, who are pastors of a flock, cry and testify that they just wanted out, they wanted to quit because God’s people, sheep, were hurting them soooo much! My heart broke! It reminded me of my own pain from years of mistreatment by God’s sheep. I’ve healed since then but hearing their pain brought it back to my memory. Not only that, but recently, I tried to greet someone with a handshake and the response was, “you know how I feel about you, nothing has changed, so, Im not shaking your hand“. Why? How can so much disrespect for God’s undershepherds exist in the hearts of His sheep? Disturbing!
I believe there are many reasons but if I were to try and find some bottom lines, I think the sheep mistreat their shepherds because:
1. Evil exists!
We live in a sin cursed world. Bad things do happen to good people and sometimes, through good people.
2. Not all sheep are sheep!
Some sheep could actually be wolves in sheep’s clothing.
3. They look through selfish lenses!
Let’s face it…most all of us look through the lenses of “how does this affect me”! Ultimately, this is because of #1 – Evil exists, but a separate item for selfishness has to be considered. Sheep are often, if not most of the time, selfish.
There are many more reasons but these reasons and the mistreatment they cause is really disturbing, painful, disappointing, hurtful and so much more, but…there is hope! God’s grace IS sufficient! God’s grace IS more powerful! Where sin abounds, grace abounds more! These things can be overcome. Hope lies with the Lord and His grace.
Turn you eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face;
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.
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