While Shepherds Watch Their Flocks by Tim Laniak

Author:Tim Laniak
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Leadership/Inspirational
ISBN: 9781618500809
Publisher: ShepherdLeader Publications

The phrase in Ezekiel that marks the shift in God’s pastoral behavior makes explicit his central concern: “I will shepherd the flock with justice.” This dimension of leadership was widely acclaimed in the ancient world. Monarchs presented themselves publicly as generous providers and capable protectors. Their “protective spirit” 1 was expressed by defending the homeland against enemy armies. But protective leadership was exercised as often by the implementation of wise and just laws for the citizenry. Law collections became monuments to the quality of society that kings created by their rules. As a “just shepherd” King Hammurabi claimed to be a divinely-appointed shepherd ruler whose role was “to cause justice to prevail in the land, to destroy the wicked and the evil, that the strong might not oppress the weak. ”2

In the final Judgment Day our Divine Shepherd Judge will separate everyone into two groups. “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.” b What distinguishes these two groups is their treatment of “the least of these brothers of mine.” c True to their independent nature, the “goats” are those who have shown no compassion or mercy to others. They have used their strength and independence only to serve themselves. The “sheep,” known for their responsive temperaments, have been kind and merciful to the marginalized—the poor, the naked, the imprisoned, the stranger, the hungry, and the sick. The Shepherd so fully identifies with these members of his flock that he says, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” d

One of the most precious memories in my life took place in India in 1986. My wife and I were at the Home of the Destitute and Dying in Calcutta, India, waiting to see Mother Theresa for volunteer job assignments. In front of us were rows of sick people on simple green cots—“the poorest of the poor” in the simple nun’s famous words. Many had been picked up in the gutters of Calcutta’s streets by the Sisters of Charity. Clothed in their simple white saris with the distinctive blue trim, the Sisters are the angels of mercy who care for Jesus, wherever they find him.

While we were waiting, I couldn’t help but notice a man, weighing no more than seventy pounds, gasping for air right in front of me. One of the Sisters came to his side and gently propped up his head in her hand. She carefully brought a dented metal cup to his lips and helped him swallow a little water. All I could think of was Jesus’ words, “when you saw me thirsty, you gave me to drink.”

The

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