SHEPHERDS WITH A HEART LIKE THAT OF JESUS
Then I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding. — Jeremiah 3:15
What are “shepherds” of God’s people supposed to be like? They—
- Are to have a heart like our Lord’s
- Are to lead with knowledge
- Are to lead with understanding
Shepherds are to have the same passions and desires as our Lord does. They are to be focused on what He is focused on. They are to care about what He cares about. When they lead, they need to lead with understanding, an understanding that comes from our Lord. We are told that His Holy Spirit “leads into all truth” (John 14:7). So, these shepherds will gain their knowledge from our Lord and will be able to understand how to apply it.
These truths are surely to be true of our Lord’s shepherds, but in reality, all His followers/disciples should have a heart like our Lord’s, are to be learning from Him and have an understanding of how to apply what they have heard. The truth of this passage is to be applied to any follower/disciple of Jesus— “Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them” (John 14:21). Consider this: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’” (Matthew 22:37-39). Again, surely a shepherd is to be faithful in these two commands, but so is every follower/disciple of Jesus. Oh, may we be! Yes, Dear Father, help me to be lovingly obedient to Your desires by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus. And may You be pleased to work in and through me to affect many others for Your honor and glory. Yes, may this be so! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLsETd3MFzk&list=RDmLsETd3MFzk&start_radio=1