Roy’s Ramblings

1 Peter 5:2-4 – Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

This Sunday we are going to talk about sheep. Yeah, I know, you say to yourself: Self … I don’t own any sheep. (My apologies to those of you that do own sheep). So those of us that are sheep-less … why is this a major thing in the Bible? I mean over the years couldn’t they have changed the wording? Modern translations and paraphrases tweak and twist the words themselves without changing the meaning behind the original Hebrew and Greek … so why do we still talk about sheep, and shepherds and not about house cats, dogs, or other pets we are trying to raise, feed, and train?

Growing up one of my High School teachers was a Shepherd. He owned/raised over 200 sheep for wool and meat and was always telling us about them. He taught business classes and so we were constantly figuring feed costs, pasture/farm maintenance costs, vet bills, profits, losses, etc. etc. It was his passion and he made it our as well. (We even got to take field trips to his farm to help feed/sheer/herd the flock.)

Looking back, I see great similarities between those sheep and the general population of humans. Different breeds/ages of sheep act differently from each other. Hungry sheep get angry. Most sheep just go with the flow and follow the herd – and if one steps out of line and gets in trouble … they act like it isn’t their fault. They want love and care – they want a warm place to sleep and a full belly – they want to be guided and taught and just to be a happy, healthy family.

Most of us don’t know anything about sheep (I admit that I only know enough to be dangerous) but the folks in Biblical times did and these stories and teachings about sheep and shepherds truly hit home with them. But, if you are struggling with the language then, in my opinion, it is ok to modernize them in your mind: If a foreman has 100 workers and one goes missing the foreman checks the assembly line, break room, cafeteria and even out in the parking lot until that worker is found and brought back into the group … then there is great rejoicing because the worker was found. — OR — Peter, do you truly love these students? Yes, I love them. Feed them well. Peter, do you truly love these students? Yes, I love them. Take care of them. Peter, do you truly love these students? Yes, you know I love them. Teach them well.

We are all still shepherds in some way, form, or fashion …

so let us care for the flock and follow in the footsteps of Christ.

Blessings All – Pastor Roy