It is about legitimacy.
True shepherds come through Jesus. They believe in Jesus' Good News of Grace and Agape Love and they come to give it, to live it and to lead others in it. Other shepherds may come into the sheepfold by "career path", thus seeking status among the sheep for their own promotion and gain. They may come from a place of ego, hoping to have their own emotional or ego needs met by their position among the sheep. They may come into the sheepfold with some need to control others and have power over them, a "laying down of the law" orientation that they believe will make their world the way they think it should be.
A legitimate shepherd loves God with all of her/his heart, soul, mind and strength. A true shepherd loves neighbor, even stranger and enemy as himself/herself. A true shepherd comes into the sheepfold living what Jesus taught, commanded and modeled - particularly, Agape Love, Grace and Mercy with the sheep. Developing and using their minds toward understanding and mental health, growing in their spirit toward oneness with God and others, developing their strength of character and personhood, they are all about living active commitment on behalf of others. Legitimate shepherds have a heart for the sheep, get to know the sheep in that love and lead them out of it. The sheep follow the legitimate shepherd because they have recognized the shepherd's true nature and know the shepherd well. The shepherd has taken the time, care and energy to get to know the sheep. Strangers who are not "legitimate" see the sheep as objects to be exploited for their own gains in wealth, power or status and the sheep of the Good Shepherd recognize them as strangers to Jesus' Good News of Agape Love and Grace.
Legitimate shepherds come in with Jesus, abide with Jesus and lead with Jesus because they know and embrace what Jesus taught, commanded and modeled regarding Kingdom of God values. False shepherds exhibit, preach, teach and promote worldly empire values. They come to take from the sheep for their own benefit like thieves and bandits. They come to steal what they can from the sheep for their own gain. They come to corrupt the sheep with their own ideologies, agendas and values. They do not reflect the Good Shepherd.
Sheep of the Good Shepherd will not listen to them, because they know the Shepherd and what the Shepherd has taught, commanded and modeled. They know what Jesus stands for and calls them to stand for in the world around them. They know the Kingdom values that lead to life, life abundant and life forever, and that fly in the face of the prevailing worldly empire values that divide and ultimately destroy the sheep.
Jesus' Agape Love is at the center of the Good News that Jesus commands us to believe in and live. Sheep of the Good Shepherd understand its central role in our lives and strive to live it in every aspect of life, so that we do not allow the worldly empire values of greed, lust for power and status in prestige and position to shade how we see and live in this part of God's Kingdom, here and now.
If a shepherd comes promoting wealth and prosperity, control and power over others or prestige and position among the sheep in the world, there is no Good News of Jesus in that shepherd - he/she is false. If a shepherd comes suggesting that we can be faithful to God and faithful to the values of worldly empire in wealth, power and status, she/he is false.
If sheep have "itching ears" and allow themselves to be "blown about by every wind of doctrine" that please them because they know it will get them what they want, rather than what God Wills for them, they are not sheep of the Good Shepherd. If sheep give lip service to God but participate in worldly empire for their own gain, they are not sheep of the Good Shepherd. They are following another voice and not the command of the Good Shepherd. Sheep of the Good Shepherd know the voice of the Good Shepherd, know what the Good Shepherd taught, commanded and modeled and they stay clear of false shepherds that say or do otherwise.
So, when one considers the legitimacy of shepherds, one must necessarily also consider the legitimacy of the sheep. Which voices guide you? What shepherds do you follow? Are you sheep of the Good Shepherd, a follower of a false shepherd or one of those who are "like sheep without a shepherd?"
Pastor Jamie
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