The shepherd understood the sheep in his care for who they were. He didn't expect what they couldn't be or do, and he never tried to turn them into something foreign or unnatural to their character. False expectations simply weren't an option. At the same time, the shepherd could be gentle or stern according to the need, but always forgiving. He didn't carry a grudge against a particular sheep because of an error or misstep the day before.

Occasionally the shepherd enjoyed the company of another, but this was uncommon. He was usually alone on his field seeing to the needs of the animals that he was personally responsible for. He worked long, hard hours day in and day out, unnoticed and unrewarded for his efforts. You can rest assured that at the end of the work week there was no big salary check with his name on it or a group of people gathered around cheering and patting him on the back for a job well done. It just never happened.

Something else I noticed when I stopped to visit with a shepherd. He was dirty and smelled of sheep. In other words, he identified "very strongly" with those with whom he had shared so much close contact.

Now don't misunderstand where I am going with this. I know who the true Shepherd is, and I am fully aware of the special calling of a pastor who is called to be a shepherd (or undershepherd) of Christ. But in this present case I use the term shepherd to describe all of us who are Christ followers, whether pastor, teacher, spiritual leader, or servant among the Lord's flock. I hear the words of Christ to Peter as He told him to care for His sheep, if indeed Peter really loved his Lord.

A great number of the folks in our communities have no shepherd. They wander aimlessly and are lost. You might refer to these as unchurched, non-Christians, or unbelievers. They are all around us. They long for someone who will love them, take time for them, care for them, and patiently show them a better way. Many behave badly, make poor judgements, and constantly find themselves in difficult places, because they are ignorant of the good things of God and have had no shepherd to show them safer paths. When you lovingly touch those without a shepherd (the unshepherded) you will likely hear with a surprised and grateful tone, "I didn't know people did things like that anymore". They will soon invite you into their lives and enthusiastically receive what you genuinely and unconditionally offer. Be aware of your position as one of Christ's followers sent to be a shepherd among the flock.

Don't be surprised, but many that attend church have no shepherd either. Just because they wander into the stall each week doesn't mean a shepherd touches them. They need invested personal attention from those sitting beside them inclasses and worship and from the pulpit, not a distant wink. The genuine shepherd will be more interested in the needs of the individual than in his own needs; he will "esteem them as better than himself". He will do his best to identify their needs and where they hurt, and he will feed, water, and apply the right healing oils. He will be sensitive to their ignorance or poor training, and take time to properly instruct them. He will do his best to win their trust so they are not afraid to approach him and bare their souls, and above all, he will love them for whom they are and not for whom he thinks they are or for whom he hopes they will become. It should be a "no-strings-attached" relationship. We love because He first loved us, and we love whether they accept our message of hope or not.

Let's be less like the religious professional or hired hand and more the loving shepherd, gathering, feeding and caring for the Master's sheep. Stop judging lost sheep for their outward imperfections and their failure to look and act like our perception of "good" sheep. Understand that under the tangled, dirty, and matted fleece is a heart and soul no less lovely and worthy than our own. Remember that what Jesus Christ has done is for the benefit and salvation of very unlovely and imperfect creatures who have desperately lost their way. Don't be offended by or critical of a sheep without a shepherd because she doesn't walk, talk, look, and smell like we do. We didn't come to smell and look like we do over night! It was a process, and if you will reach back to a time long ago you will most likely discover a not-so-beautiful sheep that struggled to find its way too.

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." Matthew 9:36.