Page 28 - Radical Love by Linda Robinson

SESSION 1 : Who is This Shepherd-King?

Verses 2 and 3 continue to emphasise the concern, love, and tenderness

this Shepherd has for His flock: ‘He makes me lie down in (fresh,
tender) green pastures. He leads me beside the still waters; He restores

my soul. He leads me in right paths for His name’s sake.’

Before interpreting the above, let us first examine a stark contrast to

our good and caring Shepherd in Ezekiel 34:1-16. Here, we find God

admonishing the greedy and selfish shepherds who are not at all
interested in the welfare of their sheep but instead are only concerned

with what they can gain from overseeing a flock. I must say, with great
sadness, that I have seen this type of Leader on several occasions while

ministering in East Africa.

Thankfully, however, the Lord declares that He Himself will search out
the sheep and tend them in a manner totally contrary to how some of

these so-called shepherds have been doing the job. This is such an
important principle for us all to heed and live by, not only applicable to

leaders within the church but also of great relevance to all our dealings
with people. Our Father desires that we be conformed to the image of

Christ (see Romans 8:29), who declares himself to be the good

Shepherd and lays down his life for the sheep.

This good Shepherd dwells on the inside of us in the power of His

Spirit, whose role it is to transform us into people with the nature and
heart of Jesus. Our flocks will vary in size, but we are all called to

disciple others with His heart of love, kindness, gentleness, and

patience. In order to acquire this heart, we need to live in the

14