The cultivation of a shepherd’s heart in each believer is the result of fulfilling the exhortation given in 1 Peter 2:2121For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: (1 Peter 2:21), “Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps.” Following His steps is expressed in Paul’s writings in 2 Corinthians 3:1818But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. (2 Corinthians 3:18), “We all, with open [unveiled] face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”
What a transformation takes place, which for the purposes of our meditation includes an attitude of heart (“the same image”) towards sinner and saint—one that reflects the very attitude of the heart of the Chief Shepherd Himself.
Gifts and a Shepherd’s Heart
The cultivating of a shepherd’s heart is needed for each believer, regardless of gift or place in the body of Christ. We learn from 1 Corinthians 12:1818But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. (1 Corinthians 12:18) that each member has a special place in the body: “Now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased Him.” According to Ephesians 4:1111And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (Ephesians 4:11), that place may be a shepherd (pastor) and teacher. These two gifts are linked together, both in the original Greek and in the KJV Bible.
Still another place in the body may be that of a “help.” In 1 Corinthians 12:28-3028And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. 29Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? 30Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? (1 Corinthians 12:28‑30) we read that all are not apostles, prophets, teachers or workers of miracles. But when speaking of helps, the words “are all” are left out. This would surely encourage all of us to be helps. May it be so in each renewed heart!
The Lord Jesus a Perfect Pattern
As a pattern for ourselves, let us trace the blessed Lord’s attitude as displayed toward three of His disciples in the Gospel of John Philip, Peter and Judas. We have listed these names in the moral order in which they were at a distance from the attitude of their blessed Master.
With the first two, training was given to bring them into conformity to His thoughts. With Judas, we find that the heart was so alienated from the Master that no correction was given.
In John 14:8-98Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us. 9Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father? (John 14:8‑9) Jesus answered Philip’s request, “Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us,” with the penetrating question, “Have I been so long time with you [plural], and yet hast thou not known Me, Philip?” Throughout the gospel we see the Lord training him. It began in chapter 1 with “follow Me.” In chapter 6 when Philip asked, “Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?” he learned who the source was. And then in chapter 12 it was to Philip that the Greeks said, “Sir, we would see Jesus.” How tender was the Lord in dealing with Philip’s slowness of apprehension. May we have that same spirit in our response to the slowness of others!
In John 21, Peter is publicly restored with a tenderness of questioning which provides a wonderful pattern for each believer. Three times the blessed Lord asks him, “Lovest thou Me?” And after each question, He commissions Peter to care for the lambs and the sheep.
This restoration was needed because dear Peter, as a result of self-confidence, had three times denied that he knew the Lord. The two epistles of Peter give abundant proof of the perfect way in which the Chief Shepherd dealt with His erring disciple. May we “follow His steps,” displaying the spirit of a loving, tender attitude towards others and trusting the Lord for the work of restoration.
Judas, who sold the blessed Lord for 30 pieces of silver, received no admonition or training. Yet the Shepherd never revealed his true character to the other disciples. May we in this same blessed spirit of grace be ever so hesitant to speak of the failures or evil behavior of others.
Truth and Tenderness
Years ago, a fellow-Christian poured out in a concise, analytical way the inadequacies that several brothers at a conference Bible reading had displayed. The writer, who was there and to whom he had addressed his remarks, had to agree that his portrayals were accurate. But he thought, “Yes, brother, you are analytically correct, but what we need for such an occasion is a Shepherd’s heart.” God’s Word tells us, “Above all things have fervent [love] among yourselves: for [love] shall cover the multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:88And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:8)).
When there was strife among the disciples about which of them should be accounted the greatest, the blessed Lord responded: “I am among you as He that serveth. Ye are they which have continued [persevered] with Me in My temptations” (Luke 22:27-2827For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth. 28Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. (Luke 22:27‑28)). What a perfect, divine response to the inadequacies that the disciples had displayed. Let us imitate that lovely attitude in all our dealings!
Attributes of the Shepherd
There are seven prominent attributes of the Shepherd given in Ezekiel 34: (1) feed the flock, (2) strengthen the diseased, (3) heal that which is sick, (4) bind up that which is broken, (5) bring again that which was driven away, (6) seek that which was lost, and (7) seek out those that are scattered. When the Chief Shepherd fulfills these things with His earthly sheep, the result is, “I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing” (Ezek. 34:2626And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing. (Ezekiel 34:26)).
How good for believers to cultivate these same blessed virtues! Where they are displayed among God’s dear people, guided by the Spirit, be assured that the result will surely be “showers of blessing.”
P. S. Jacobsen (adapted)