Sheep and Shepherds

When Jesus looks out on the people (including the disciples) he sees all their needs. He’s filled with compassion and cares for them, heals them, and teaches them. This is how it’s put in the book of Matthew:

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. - Matthew 9:36

Then Jesus sends out some of these ‘sheep’ to go be shepherds! He sends them to other ‘sheep,’ to care for them, heal them, and teach them. Again, here’s how Matthew puts it:

Go to the lost sheep of Israel.  As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ - Matthew 10:6-7

Jesus has this deep commitment to not doing all the work himself. He raises up others - those of us with needs and insecurities and failures - to do the work with him.

How do you feel about the reality that Jesus wants to send you out as a shepherd in this world?