Great leaders instill a sense of meaning and belonging in their followers by putting the personal imprint of who they are and what they stand for on their people.” Kevin Leman...
Meaning of Shepherd, A person who tends sheep. Someone who watches over, and looks after, or guides somebody.
There are approximately 40 verses in the King James Bible that refer to the word Shepherd.
The most famous Shepherd in history did not lead animals but lead souls... His earthly occupation was a carpenter?? Say what? Wait. A carpenter, not a Shepherd? A carpenter is someone that has a keen eye for detail and can create something from nothing...
Doesn’t it seem odd? That we think of Christ as a Shepherd instead of a carpenter?
Why did He choose the Shepherd as the image for us to grasp the hidden meaning behind His teachings...? He is such an amazing mastermind!!! There is no one greater!!! I love how He has intricately tied all the details of this amazing LOVE story together. His mystery has kept His Children interested since the beginning of time!!! He has yearned for our love and has been guiding our hearts home since Adam’s creation on earth.
The human mind is so weak in comparison to His vast and beautiful mind. We seem much like sheep, limited in our thinking and we need more... We need His Guidance...
We need a role model!!! One that we could relate to on a human level... We need someone that has felt the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat...
So, in His usual way we needed and He came... He offered His own life to teach man how to live and love from birth to death...
I wonder would we have followed God without question?? Would God’s presence be too powerful for the human mind to comprehend? Or would our human weaknesses lead us astray like Eve?
I am sure Elohim gave this master plan a great deal of thought and consideration!!
But why a Shepherd?? Let’s start by looking at a Job description of a Shepherd.
Job description:
1. Day-to-Day Care of the Flock.
2. Dealings with the Outside World on Behalf of the Flock
3. Foresees Danger
4. Leads and Guides the Flock
5. He learns the strengths, weaknesses, and personality of each one.
6. The Shepherd trains the sheep to hear only his voice.
It does seem the Shepherd
makes perfect sense.
The Shepherd had such an important role since the Old Testament. They cared for, protected, and guided the spotless lamb for the altar sacrifice to God...
Hmm God knew "the shepherd's" capacity of love, care, and guidance. And He also knew He would become "the shepherd’s" prize, Lamb. The ultimate sacrifice to God...
As He stepped into His earthly skin to save mankind... He came with the inherited skills of the creator. (i.e., carpenter) But His mission was to intricately lay out all the pieces of His life, to save all His children. He gave us that tangible role model ... a visual... a love offering that goes beyond anything of this world. We lovingly call Him Jesus.
This Heaven-sent Shepherd has been whispering words of love to His soul-filled sheep, since the beginning of time. He has been guiding their hearts home ever since Eve fell from grace.
His masterful plan has been playing out since these words were spoken: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
The question becomes ... Do we know our Master's voice? Do we appreciate the artistic merit of our Creator? Do we love Him for sacrificing His royal life in Heaven to become a Shepherd of souls? Do we love Him enough to follow Him???
I will share with you...
He has captured my heart...
I have heard His alluring voice whispering a love song to my soul .. He has shared with me that this Love Story has no end!!
It’s Him, It’s always Him
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake. Psalms 23
Photography & Written by Lori Garner
Inspiring Music by (youtube)
Bible collaboration - Joann Turnbull
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