Day 224/365- Jeremiah 23:1

"Shepherds"

"What sorrow awaits the leaders of my people—the shepherds of my sheep—for they have destroyed and scattered the very ones they were expected to care for," says the Lord . (Jeremiah 23:1 NLT)

Shepherds protect the sheep. They place themselves in the opening of the sheep pin acting as a door. They know what comes in & comes out because everything must enter through them. Shepherds guard the sheep from wild animals. Shepherds feed the sheep. They give the sheep what they need. They take them to green pastures. Shepherds lead the sheep. They show them where they need to go.

This is how God describes his leaders of his people. They are shepherds. Protectors, providers, & leaders of his people. But in Jeremiah, this is the opposite of who they are. The very people they were to care for are the people they have destroyed.

Not much has changed. God has given the church pastors to care for his flock but how many protect, feed, & lead the sheep? Many pastors have themselves at the center of their ministry & not others. To be a shepherd means to be selfless. It means to think about the sheep before yourself. It means to put other's needs above your own. Tough calling but this is who God calls to lead his people.

How many pastors have fallen into some sort of mess that has hurt the sheep? In seminary, one of my professors said the three major pitfalls of pastors are three Gs: gold, glory, & gals.

Many pastors have money problems that are detrimental to the sheep. Many pastors have women problems that ate detrimental to the sheep. Many pastors have pride problems that are detrimental to the sheep. Although pastors are people too & not perfect, the key to seeing our churches cleaned up may be seeing our shepherds cleaned up.

This passage goes on to talk about a true shepherd who will come & do what these have not done. He will offer true protection to his people. He will feed them & he will lead them. He will be called, "The Lord our Righteousness." And it's in emulating him that our earthly shepherds find who they need to be.

Say a prayer for your pastor that God would help him protect, feed, & lead the sheep like Jesus does.