How is the Shepherd good?

 

 

Day  9  Admonition 6   Of the Imitation of the Lord.   Let us all consider the Good Shepherd who to save His sheep bore the suffering of the Cross. The sheep of the Lord followed Him in tribulation and persecution and shame, in hunger and thirst, in infirmity and temptations and in all other ways.  For doing these things they have received everlasting life from the Lord. So it is a great shame for us, the servants of God, that, while the Saints have practiced works, we expect to receive honour, and glory, for reading and preaching the about them.

How is the Shepherd good?   Unlike the shepherds of his time, Jesus was a good shepherd ,Robert Monti in his Short Pastoral Theology tells us that in the Palestine , of Christ’s day, shepherding was considered a dishonourable profession  and held in contempt by the religious leaders of the time.*   From the very beginning of his ministry Jesus shared this contempt and was considered vile and detestable by the Religious leaders of his time.   If we would share his ministry then we must be willing to share this contempt, to be detested and vilified; to allow the religious leaders of our time to send us to our deaths, if they deem it necessary. For this we will receive everlasting life in His name.   Unless we are willing to do this, rather than merely speak of it, (for talk is cheap) and of those who did so brings, shame upon us. There will be no honour or glory for us in this.

*Robert R. Monti Pastoral Theology Regent University Summer, 2001