Spending more time in the Gospels should give us a broader perspective at times. Looking at Matthew 9, especially coming after reading John, hopefully gives us an expanded view of what we are reading.
In Matt. 9, we once again read about Jesus’
“great pity for the crowds that came, because their problems were so great and they didn’t know where to go for help. They were like sheep without a shepherd (Matt. 9:36).”
The church (synagogue) was supposed to be there to help the people, and the priests were to be the shepherds, yet the church (and the priests) were not fulfilling the role that had been set out for them. Therefore, Jesus came as the Good Shepherd (John 10), fulfilling this role as He said He would hundreds of years before in Isaiah 40.
It is unfortunate that the church, and its leaders, are still struggling with this call. A few weeks ago during service, as the scripture was being read in Spanish for John 10, we heard the word “shepherd” being translated as “pastore.”
What a wonderful reminder for pastors, that our call is to be shepherds who love and care for the sheep that have been placed in our care.
Spurgeon speak of the sheep as being fickle and prone to wander, yet Jesus loves them, and we are to love with that same kind of love. Lord, the world needs workers, but more than workers, the world need workers after Your own heart.
We need workers who understand that You “have other sheep, too, that are not of this sheepfold… (for) there will be one flock with one shepherd.”
This sounds like a call to walk along the multicolored road together, for there aren’t different flocks in Your eyes, but only one flock… One body.
May we seek to be Your instruments, loving and caring for those whom You love. And may You send us more workers — workers who love and care for Your people, bringing You glory in the process.
Along the Multicolored Road 
Leave a Reply