Jesus is much more than just the Savior and Master.

This week's Bible study shows Jesus' role as our Shepherd.

Let's begin by making some distinctions:

• Managers use people as tools to produce a result.
• Coaches instruct others how to play, then manage them while they play.
• Elected officials (supposedly) react to the will of their constituents.
• Directors direct others after setting policies, forming procedures and determining paths.
• Lords command and impose laws, punishing offenders, rewarding zealous followers.
• Shepherds improve and profit the sheep until the end of their natural lives.

Condensed from Shepherds Don't Do That, by Kendall Faull:
www.christianstandard.com/articledisplay.asp?id=434

• The distinct duties of a Jesus as Shepherd. Although Jesus is Lord and Master, His duties as Shepherd need to be understood when separated out from His other duties.
• Jesus takes responsibility as Leader of the sheep
• Jesus interacts intimately with the sheep
• Jesus intends and ensures great reward for His sheep

Matthew 9:36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.

Matt 25:32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:

Matt 26:31 Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.

John 10:1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
:2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
:3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.

John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
:12 But he that is a hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.

John 10:14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

John 10:16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

Hebrews 13:20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

1Pet 2:25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

1Pet 5:4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

Jesus is explaining that many who followed Him would lose faith, stop following Him, run and hide, and even lie about their knowing or associating with him, because of the threat of suffering the cross: Leader and followers are often punished alike. The cross is one of the most severe punishments devised by man (as influenced by Satan). See Matt 26:69-74 for Peter's denial of knowing Christ.

Jesus is Truth,^{John 14:6} so there can be no doubt as to the integrity and accuracy of His words. All men (and women) who provide care and direction for others without having GREAT LOVE for them, will abandon them under the certain circumstances, and under certain pressures. This includes today's church leaders who love power, money and recognition more than they love the sheep. NO ONE is more faithful than Jesus (God the Son), our Father and the Holy Spirit, NO ONE!

As it was in Jesus' day with the Pharisee and Sadducee leaders, so it is today with church leaders that promote self-interest, sift the saints for their visible and financial support, and cause the sheep to lose faith in Christ.

After being scattered by the shepherds for hire, the sheep WILL RETURN to the real Shepherd when He calls.

And the Shepherd has a great reward for His gathered sheep!

May my Master bless you and open your understanding as you read His Word.

a servant