A Good Shepherd

and The Good Shepherd

Scripture Reading: Numbers 27:12-23

              Moses, like all men, was flawed. He was prone to fits of anger. His temper sent him fleeing from Pharoah when, as a young man, he killed an Egyptian for striking his Hebrew brother. It kept him out of the Promise Land when, as an old man, he struck the Rock in the wilderness even though God had specifically instructed him to speak to the Rock.

              There was, though, an honorable and admirable characteristic in Moses’ relations with the Hebrew people. Despite his constant frustrations with them, Moses loved the people he was called to lead. He had a shepherd’s heart toward them. At times, Moses got red-in-the-face mad at them, but he never stopped loving them. When God threatened to destroy them in the wilderness and start all over with Moses, it was Moses who interceded on their behalf and stayed the wrathful hand of God.

              Then, when God told Moses to ascend the mountain and look out over the Promise Land because it was his time to die, Moses didn’t turn his thoughts in on himself. He didn’t beg God to give him more days on earth. He didn’t ask the Lord to let him enter the Land of Promise. Moses prayed, not for himself, but once again he interceded for the people he led. He asked God to appoint a successor, a shepherd to lead the people.

              A man with a shepherd’s heart loves the flock he leads. His concern is not centered on himself, but the people of God. A good shepherd, Jesus said, will lay down his life for the sheep. Moses was a good shepherd. Jesus is The Good Shepherd. Jesus’ heart is with his flock. He leads them, and feeds them, and protects them. He knows and calls every one of them by name. On the cross, The Good Shepherd laid down his life for his sheep.