As usual, the 51-year-old man was taking his two German Shepherd dogs for a morning walk. One of the dogs slipped and fell into the river in the Gorwa area of Vadodara district. He jumped to save the dog, which was barking furiously. Nevertheless, he drowned and died. (The Times of India, 23 January 2025) The man loved his pet so much that he risked his life to save it.
Shepherd as metaphor: The Bible teaches about leadership and provides several metaphors like servant, slave, steward, sportsperson, spiritual example, soldier, etc. However, the leader as shepherd is a preferable metaphor as the Lord called Himself the Good Shepherd. (John 10:11-18)
Shepherding love: David demonstrated a shepherding attitude when he asked the Lord to punish him for his folly of ordering a census. “Was it not I who gave a command to number the people? It is I who have sinned and done great evil. But these sheep, what have they done? Please let your hand, O Lord my God, be against me and against my father’s house. But do not let the plague be on your people.” (I Chronicles 21:17)
Selflessness: The children of Israel, whom Moses led out of slavery, worshipped idols. God was willing to destroy the whole nation and make Moses a great nation. However, Moses interceded for the people. He even asked the Lord to remove or scribble out his name from the Book of Life, if God is not willing to forgive the wayward people. (Exodus 32:32)
Sacrificial love: The Lord taught that the shepherds should be willing to give their lives for the sheep. Serving and protecting the sheep in their supervision is a mandatory task. It could not be done without sacrificing love. A man was willing to die for his pet dog; how much more should Christian leaders give their all for the sheep given in their custody?
Sacred love: Only the Holy love of God could motivate a person to become a shepherding leader.
Do I have the Holy love for the people of God?