0119 HOW TO SHEPHERD A STRAY

THE ONE WHO WENT AWAY

Do you know how a good shepherd works? Basically, a good shepherd does two things: Provide and protect.

A shepherd provides by herding the sheep to good grazing ground, finding fresh water, and nourishing each sheep’s health. A shepherd protects by watching vigilantly for enemies and other dangers, and by putting himself between his sheep and danger. A truly good shepherd is focused on his sheep, not on himself.

So, at the end of the day, as the sheep are moving from grazing in the pasture to sleeping in the safety of the fold, the shepherd looks each one over good. Calls each sheep by name, and each one comes because she recognizes her shepherd’s voice. Then he holds that sheep tenderly and looks into her eyes, looks over her coat, her legs, her tail. Sees if she has any cuts or injuries. Anoints her with oil if she does. Speaks words of comfort and assurance while giving her a check-up.

Do you know how to shepherd a man with your eyes? Have you ever received a spiritual check-up?

Here’s how you do it:

Stop, and look him square in his eyes for about, oh, five seconds or so.

With a hand on each of his shoulders, look through his eyes (which are the lamp of the body) and search down into his soul. See his childhood hurts, his aspirations, his worries and priorities. Go a bit deeper and see what he loves, how it goes with his soul, and judge the thoughts and intentions of his heart. 

Then, while you are seeing all those secrets and ambitions of that man, love him. Love him with your whole being. 

I guarantee one thing when you shepherd a man in this way: Tears will well up in your eyes, and your heart will break with the secret things the Spirit whispers to you.

This is a deeply spiritual exercise, and it takes a true shepherd to do it.

I only know about it because I have seen the Great Shepherd do this very thing. Many times. With each of the twelve, when he called us to follow him, he saw into our lives, spoke something prophetic into us, perhaps gave us a new name, and issued a challenge. The little children experienced it regularly from the Master. He would call the little one by name, place his hands on them, pray for them, and bless them. Speak into their futures and set a godly calling before them. It was the Lord’s favorite thing to do, I believe.

I’ll tell you, when you have been shepherded by the Good Shepherd, your life will never be the same. Most of us after being shepherded like that by Jesus dropped everything and followed after this Man who spoke into the deepest part of our hearts, revealing the secrets of our hearts. Everyone who has had those piercing eyes look into the deepest recesses of their soul walks away changed.

But it doesn’t always work out that way. Sometimes a person refuses to be shepherded. Hard to believe, but some of us are rogues. Jesus looks at us long and loves us, and we turn and walk away.

Let me tell you the odd story of a young man who refused Jesus, and what happened to him.

So, we’re heading out to begin another journey, when a young man comes running up to Him. He kneels down, and pants, “Good Teacher, what good thing should I do to inherit eternal life?”

I’m not afraid to tell you, I was impressed. This guy was the ideal disciple, in my estimate. Well-dressed. So ambitious that he ran, he knelt, he addressed Jesus respectfully. He was zealous to inherit eternal life. He kind of put the rest of us to shame there for a minute, to be honest.

So Jesus commenced to doing what He does best. He shepherded the man. Only this time it was nothing but tough love.

“Why so quick to talk about good? Only God is good!” . . . “So if you call me good, are you prepared for the implications of that title? Never flatter a man to get an answer you want. I don’t work like that.”

“Sorry, Lord. I meant to ask you about doing good.”

“And that’s another thing: If you think that you can do enough good to enter eternal life, you sadly misunderstand the holiness of God.”

“No, sir. I understand. I think I almost have it. What more do I need to do?”

“You know the commands. Things like, ‘Never murder.’”

Check.

“how about hate?”

huh?

Never commit adultery.

Got it.

How about lust?

Wha..?

Never steal.

Sure.

How about coveting?

I don’t …

Never lie.

I never do.

What about right now?

Are you saying…?

Do not defraud.

Is that one in the Ten….?

“Honor your father and mother.”

Not a problem. I have obeyed all of these commandments since I was a child!”

And here was the moment that I’m talking about. Jesus looked into that man’s eyes, and He loved him. Loved him. We could see the tears welling up and spilling over, down the Master’s cheeks. That was love. Sacrificial love, running down into his beard and onto his robe. He saw right into him. Knew that young man was so thoroughly a liar that he didn’t even know it. Knew that he was proud and self-satisfied, thinking that some small extra tweak in his character would make him—it makes me almost laugh to say it—good! Good enough for eternal life!

And from that deep, deep love of Jesus came a question that was as sacrificial and selfless as any ever said. Jesus sniffed His runny nose, and, through tight throat and moist eyes, He says, “You are just one good deed away, my friend. Go and sell everything you have and give it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then, come and follow me.”

The man’s face fell, from hopeful expectation to dejected disappointment. He and Jesus both knew that this requirement, this one more good thing, was the one thing he could not bring himself to do. He was a wealthy young man. He had many possessions. He thought God’s eternal life was another possession that he could add to his trophies. But instead of being like the man who found a treasure buried in a field, or like the man who found the pearl of great price, those men who sold everything to get something worth far more, this man was being asked to trade everything that he could see in order to obtain something he could not see. Jesus knew the one true idol in the center of this man’s life, and He went right to that tender spot.

Now, here’s the part that really blows me away. The young man turns and walks away sadly. He is not running, kneeling, asking or seeking anymore. He is shuffling in the dust, downhearted and without hope.

That’s not what blows me away. It is this: Jesus lets him go. He throws down a commandment that is impossible to keep, and never corrects it. He doesn’t chase down the guy and tell him He’s just joshing with him. Doesn’t say, “No one has to keep that standard, buddy! Give me ten percent, and you’ve got eternal life. Then follow if you like. Don’t take me so seriously.”

When I confront someone and he repents, then I know it was God who prompted my rebuke. But when I say something and it backfires on me, I always question whether or not I was hearing clearly from the Spirit. But Jesus was one with the Father. He only spoke what he heard his father saying. And when someone walked away, or turned and betrayed him, or denied even knowing him, or crucified him, Jesus with all confidence let them go, or restored, or forgave.

And that’s how you shepherd a stray.