The Shepherds of Israel

A couple of weeks ago, a dear friend was teaching our Gospel Doctrine class, and posed the question, "Who has been a shepherd for you?" I hesitated to answer, and for once, kept my mouth shut. Why? Because this good brother has been a shepherd for me, and I didn't want to embarrass him in front of the class.

A couple of years ago he was assigned as our home teacher. He may not remember much of this incident, but I do. He was merely doing his duty as a faithful home teacher, along with his faithful companion. I know they served us not merely to fulfill duty, but out of love. One month our entire family was a little stressed out, each of us awaiting some medical procedure. These good brothers took this opportunity to give each of us a priesthood blessing.

These brethren would say it was no big deal, but I remember specific words of comfort and promises of a priesthood blessing. I know the words did not come from my friend, but I'm so grateful he lives his life in such a manner to receive revelation. This blessing became a spiritual springboard for me, as I was invited to use this opportunity to examine my life. It prompted me to try a little harder and be a little better in some key aspects of my personal spiritual life.

The Lord rebuked slothful shepherds. Really, they are not shepherds at all. The Lord said,

"Thus saith the Lord God unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks?

"Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock" (Ezekiel 34:2-3).

False shepherds are clothed in wool so they look like the Lamb, and they appear in sheep's clothing, but inside are ravening wolves (see Matthew 7:15). False shepherds consume the fat and oil, while the true Shepherd provides healing oil taken straight from the "oil press" of Gethsemane. 

Without shepherds the flock is scattered and becomes "meat to all the beasts of the field" (Ezekiel 34:). There are many devouring beasts today, such as addiction and pornography. Without shepherds (and especially the True Shepherd) we can be eaten alive!

The discussion in Gospel Doctrine became centered on the role of the good shepherd, like my good friend, and his old companion, who just brought my sweet wife a condolence card at the passing of her mother last week.

So what is the role of the shepherd? Some shepherds feel an immense burden to fix and bring back all the sheep. This can be discouraging and heart wrenching.

But remember, we all work for and with the Good Shepherd, and He can bring the sheep safely home. We don't have to heal anyone. That is the Savior's job. He said to the Nephites:

"Nevertheless, ye shall not cast him (a person who is unworthy to partake of the sacrament) out of your synagogues, or your places of worship, for unto such shall ye continue to minister; for ye know not but what they will return and repent, and come unto me with full purpose of heart, and I shall heal them; and ye shall be the means of bringing salvation unto them" (3 Nephi 18:32).

Notice the hazard when we try to play both roles. We can't tell who will return and repent, so we may have a tendency to give up on people who are not ready yet. And we don't have to (or get to) heal them anyway. The Lord says, "I shall heal them and (you) shall be the means of bringing salvation unto them."

I am grateful for a Savior who heals me day by day--a little bit at a time.