David, a shepherd himself, understood this image better than most. He knew what it meant to guide, protect, and even risk his life for his sheep. So when he wrote, “The Lord is my shepherd,” he wasn’t just being poetic. He was declaring what he understood deeply – God provides, He restores, He guides, He is present in hardship, He comforts. (Psalm 23).
Jesus picks up the image in John 10, saying, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” In Luke 15, He tells of a shepherd who leaves ninety-nine sheep to find the one that wandered. What a reason to rejoice – that of the billions of people on earth, our Shepherd sees, knows, and pursues each of us. He gladly laid down His life for us.
Jesus calls us to lead in this same way.
Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. (1 Peter 5:2-3)
This type of leadership stands in contrast to how many view leadership – where leadership often means seeking power, demanding loyalty, giving commands. Instead, Jesus calls us to serve with humility and walk alongside others. Shepherd leadership means showing up in people’s lives when it’s messy and uncomfortable, and when there’s no recognition for doing so.
It is a challenging way to lead, but there’s good news! We don’t lead alone or in our own strength. We can be shepherd leaders because we have a Good Shepherd to follow. His leadership is the perfect example. And He daily gives us the strength, through the Holy Spirit, to live it out.
Not only can we rejoice in our Good Shepherd, but we can also rejoice in those we lead. What an honor it is to lead people who are passionately serving Jesus. As leaders, it’s easy to get caught up in the shortcomings of others as we seek to bring growth and change. But let’s remember that the people we lead are gifts God has “entrusted” to us (1 Peter 5:3). As we rejoice in them, and recognize the gift that they are, we will also be able to lead them better.
The 1 Peter passage ends like this: And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. (1 Peter 5:4). Although leading in this way comes with challenges, it also comes with the biggest reward!
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