There is Nothing as Pathetic as Having no Shepherd

In this dark and crooked world, there is nothing as pathetic as having no shepherd or guide.

[Matthew 9:35-38 KJV] “And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. [36] But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. [37] Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; [38] Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest”.

The Bible tells us that when Jesus saw the multitude, He was moved with compassion because;

1. They had lost hope and were dismayed:

Hope makes not ashamed. Our hopes needs to be restored and such hopes must come from God.

2. They were scattered as sheep without a shepherd:

The Lord wants us to gather. We are safe together, we are safe in flocks, we are safe in families. Sheep love to flock and they flock under shepherds. Sheep need someone to guide them.

However, the truth remains that, there can never be shepherds, except they have been sent; hence the call for prayer. The Lord taught His disciples to pray that the Lord of the Harvest would send more laborers. When the fire on the altar goes out, there will be no laborers.

The Lord was moved with compassion because it is nearly impossible to survive in times like this without a shepherd. Indeed, pastors are dispensers of kingdom mysteries. This is the primary assignments of the five fold ministries.

[Matthew 24:45-51 KJV] “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? [46] Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

[47] Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. [48] But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; [49] And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;

[50] The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him , and in an hour that he is not aware of, [51] And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth”.

We are appointed as kingdom stewards to dispense kingdom mysteries.

The prophet Isaiah taught that the Lord gave himself as a ransom for all because He did not want His sheep to be scattered and be without a shepherd.

[Isaiah 53:6-10 KJV] “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. [7] He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. [8] He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.

[9] And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. [10] Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand”.

The Bible tells us that after He gave Himself as a ransom for all, He appointed and gave gifts unto men for the shepherding of His people.

[1 Timothy 2:1-10 KJV] “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; [2] For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. [3] For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; [4] Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

[5] For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; [6] Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. [7] Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity. [8] I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

[9] In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; [10] But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works”.

He gave himself as a ransom for all to be testified in due season. We are called to give testimony and witness to the fact that there is only one God and one mediator between that God and men – the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all.

It is a dangerous thing to try to live in this present age without a shepherd or guide. You will faint. You will be discouraged, you will be alone and scattered for a prey if you try to live without a Shepherd.

Your pastor is given for your perfecting, equipping for the work of ministry, and edification (See Ephesians 4:11-16).

Your pastor has the authority and the backing of heaven and the requisite tools to instruct, teach, rebuke, exhort, and reprove.

[2 Timothy 4:1-5 KJV] “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; [2] Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

[3] For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; [4] And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. [5] But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

Every Shepherd has a voice, a rod and a staff. His voice is to direct and his rod and staff is to comfort us.

[Jeremiah 3:14‭-‬15 KJV] “Turn, O backsliding children, saith the Lord ; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion: [15] And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.

See Ezekiel 34 also.

God will appoint for us shepherds and feed us in folds. He will cause us to lie down in folds on the mountain. Stay blessed!

I love you;

Noah Simpe Bediako