THE COMPASSION OF A SHEPHERD
Scripture Reference: Matthew 9:36 "But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd."
------------------------------------------------------
Let us take note of the description Luke gave concerning the spirit our Lord had about Him -- He was "moved with compassion."
In recent years, we in the Church have become familiar with the term "undershepherds," or "care group leaders," which refers to individuals serving as shepherds to the sheep within the realm of the local church. What better term could we use to describe the work of both the "care group leader" and the pastor? We are SHEPHERDS --- the PASTOR and the CARE GROUP LEADER --- working together. Our responsibility is to WATCH OVER the sheep that God has placed within our spiritual care. This is not to be considered as a work of drudgery or a burdensome task, but rather as a high honor, not to be taken lightly. This responsibility of caring for the sheep is great when one stops and considers that whether or not some of these precious people obtain eternal life depends a great deal on the care that we, their shepherds, give them.
Care Group Leaders and Pastors are Watchers. This responsibility seperates our work from the work of the EVANGELIST or the TEACHER. Theirs is an important role; however, our role as SHEPHERDS (pastor and care group leaders) is not only to make sure that the sheep are fed, but that they are WATCHED OVER as well. We must keep them in our sight, making sure that they do not stray from the fold, or become attacked by the wolves that lie in wait.
If for some reason those sheep entrusted to our care are enticed to wander away from the fold, then, as their shepherds, we must search until we find the lost one. If any have been attacked by wolves, then we must attend to their wounds, gently pouring in the healing oils of love and compassion, and bring them back to the fold and its safety. Without the proper concern of the shepherds, many sheep will be lost and destroyed. The TRUE SHEPHERD cares! His main concern is his sheep. Perhaps we all need to periodically ask ourselves as pastors and care group leaders what is our main concern.
There is no better example for spiritual shepherds to pattern after than the Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ. Leaving the splendors of heaven, He came to earth and abode with mankind. While here, He continously saw people in need. However, Jesus saw more than just "wounded people." He looked farther than that, and saw that these people had no one to help them. Even then, there were religious movements -- there were temples and synagogues, priests, scribes, Pharisees and Sadducees, BUT IT WAS ALL AN EMPTY FORM. There was no love, no concern, and no genuine care for the people. As Jesus beheld them in their need, He described them as "SHEEP HAVING NO SHEPHERD."
There was something different about Jesus that set Him apart. While the religious leaders of the day were continuously asking something from the people, Jesus came NOT ASKING, but OFFERING. Immediately the multitudes were able to sense the compassion of our Lord. With so little compassion in the world today, people can easily detect its presence.
The word "COMPASSION" is derived from two Latin words meaning "TO SUFFER TOGETHER." It indicates "SORROW FOR THE SUFFERINGS OR TROUBLES OF ANOTHER." It means, also, "DEEP PITY AND SYMPATHY." Christ knew well the meaning of "COMPASSION", and His heart went out to those in need. He looked at those who suffered from pain and discomfort, and there was an urge to respond to their needs. .... "Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with COMPASSION toward them, and He healed their sick." (Matthew 14:14)
To those who hungered and did without material needs, Jesus proclaimed, "I have COMPASSION on the multitude, because they continue with Me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way." (Matthew 15:32) To those who suffered inward hurts and pains due to the tragedies of life, Jesus understood. "...when the Lord saw her, He had COMPASSION on her, and said unto her, Weep not." (Luke 7:13) As Jesus beheld sin, with its attendant toll on people’s lives, His heart WEPT WITHIN. Journeying from town to town, He must have become even more convinced of the need for His earthly mission to take away the sin of the world.
May God help us as shepherds in this day to receive this precious picture of Christ in our minds -"...an high priest ... touched with the feeling of our infirmities." (Hebrews 4:15) It is no wonder that David proclaimed, "The Lord is my shepherd" (Psalm 23:1). I am glad that He is my Shepherd, how about you? He guides me. He restores me. He blesses me. He delivers me. He comforts me. He provides all things for me! He is such a GOOD SHEPHERD that I have no desire to wander astray. I can feel my Shepherd’s love,and I want to be where He is. I desire as David to "DWELL IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD FOREVER."
Of course, Jesus is not here in the flesh today, walking from town to town. He has called you and me, and as SHEPHERDS of this age we need that COMPASSION OF CHRIST brewing within us. This is the only way we can be effective shepherds, for without COMPASSION we are nothing more than a COLD PIECE OF MACHINERY! Jesus’ ministry was effective because He was able to help people. He sensed their needs and He had COMPASSION on them. This COMPASSION drew multitudes to Him. "And again He entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that He was in the house. And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that here was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and He preached the word to them." (Mark 2:1,2)
Wouldn’t most of us like to have that problem today of overcrowding? We face problems, but most of them are far different from that! We would like that kind of response in our towns, cities, and communities --- but perhasp we have missed the mark. We have our plans, our growth seminars, and even our gimmicks ---but very few overcrowded church buildings. The shepherd in the church today must, however, be more concerned with the condition of his sheep than he is with numbers. That genuine care and COMPASSION will draw still more sheep. One of the greatest needs we have today is for MORE COMPASSION. This COMPASSION must begin with our pastors and care group leaders ... we MUST set the example of REAL COMPASSION.
So many people’s hearts are hardened because at one time or another they have been "turned off" by religious shepherds. Some of them have had a right to Be! If we are not careful, we could easily project the same image that the chief priests and scribes of Jesus’ day projected to the people. They were always asking more and more of the people, and causing them to feel that they were inferior because they did not hold such a prestigious position. To be a shepherd is indeed a holy calling, but we must be careful not to exalt ourselves beyond measure, and feel that we deserve only the "very best" life has to offer.
We are merely shepherds, servants to makind. May God help us to forget about our own personal needs, and focus our attention upon the needs of those entrusted to our care. As long as we stay in the will of God, He will take care of our needs. We have not been called of God to get rich, or to settle down comfortably, but we have been called to minister to the needs of others. Our people must sense our compassion, for that is what they want to find in us.
We are often driven toward the mark of "success." Success, however, is not something we attain down the road somewhere when we receive that special appointment we may have desired for years. Success is where we are right now: being a blessing to the people whom God has placed within our spiritual care. I don’t think our people are necessarily wanting the greatest preacher they have ever heard to be their shepherd, or the minister who drives the most luxurious car or wears the most expensive and stylish clothes. They want a pastor that will, with love, care for his people.
We must not be "LORDS OVER GOD’S HERITAGE," but "shepherds." Ours is a hard world, with difficult times for our people. More than ever before they stand in need of a gentle shepherd. A gentle shepherd is beyond value in today’s church. "My tabernacle is spoiled, and all my cords are broken: my children are gone forth of me, and they are not: there is none to stretch forth my tent any more, and to set up my curtains. For the PASTORS are become brutish and have not sought the Lord: therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered." (Jeremiah 10: 20, 21)
Jesus was able to say, " ... those that gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of peridition ..." (John 17:12). The shepherd’s COMPASSION will keep the flock together. As long as we desire to be a blessing to our people, God will see to it that we ARE a blessing. May God help us as shepherds to stay on our knees and be filled with COMPASSION. One thing I am assured of: churches cannot pastor themselves; they need shepherds full of compassion."
