Today we live in a time when true, strong shepherds have become a rarity. The Christian image of shepherding is usually portrayed in such a soft way that many a man cannot identify with it at all. Feminized depictions of Jesus, depicting a cheerful, always smiling, lovely, almost maternal Jesus who never angers or rebukes, have made the image of the Shepherd unattractive to struggling hearts. According to the prevailing opinion, whoever is "hirtlich" must somehow be soft, harmonious and never hurtful or judgmental. I had to smile the other day when a service was coming to an end and the screen said "Did you like the service?" appeared. Who should like the service? God or man?
Did you know that in biblical times shepherds were tough, rough fellows who stayed out with their flocks in wind and weather, cold and heat to protect them from bears and lions? David says: «When I was tending my father's sheep and goats, it often happened that a lion or a bear would attack the flock, grab a sheep and try to drag it away. Then I ran after him, punched him and ripped his prey out of his mouth. If he then threw himself angrily at me, I would grab him by the mane or by the fur and beat him to death. I killed several lions and bears in this way. » David was a man of God's good pleasure. He understood something of true shepherdship.
In the well-known Psalm 23, David draws our attention to the shepherd's rod and staff. The stick is used as a baton to drive away enemies and the staff was used to guide the sheep. "And though I wandered through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no misfortune, for you are with me; Your staff and your staff comfort me."
A true shepherd, then, protects, guides, and disciplines his flock. He walks with the herd and leads them to still waters. He is not above calling a spade a spade and exposing and driving off invaders and wolves. He leaves his comfort zone and moves with the sheep, no matter what swamp they find themselves in. He leads them back to the safe, narrow and straight path, which is known to be tedious and painful. He has a goal before his eyes and does not stray from it to the right or to the left. And yet in all this, he is considerate of the weaker sheep, slowing the pace if necessary so that none are lost either. And when one has strayed too far from the chief shepherd and fallen into the lion's mouth, he goes and tries to snatch it from the adversary and from sin, knowing the terror of the Lord and tearfully admonishing, correcting, rebuking, and punishing if necessary, even if it makes him and others uncomfortable. True pastoral care means making sure that a soul is not lost forever.
A true shepherd does not want to avoid the pain, but helps through the pain. He is not guided by an addiction to harmony, but finds clear words to call things by their proper name. In all this he lays down his life to lead the flock in meekness (courage of gentleness) and to protect with strength. A true shepherd knows that he must always fear and obey God more than men. May the Spirit of God bring forth again brave, courageous, resolute, selfless shepherds who will lead and protect the flock. They will receive the unfading crown of glory from Christ Himself. (1 Peter 5:4)
