The Shepherd’s Work – Isaiah 40

The prophet Isaiah was used by God to supply us and Israel with more information about the coming Good Shepherd, the Messiah:

¹⁰ Behold, the Lord God shall come with a strong hand,
And His arm shall rule for Him;
Behold, His reward is with Him,
And His work before Him.  Isaiah 40:10 (NKJV)

The Good Shepherd will have both a strong hand and a ruling arm, but it is His reward of salvation and His work of healing the sick and dying a sacrificial death on the cross for us that would highlight His first coming – the work of a humble Shepherd. 

Messiah’s strong hand and ruling arm will become more apparent when Jesus Christ returns a second time to reign as King over the entire earth from the throne of David in Jerusalem.  Just as two mountains lined up one behind the other on a distant horizon can appear to be only one, these two distinct visitations by Christ appeared to be a single one, unified in the distant prophetic vision of Isaiah.

When Jesus came to earth the first time, His activities were focused on spreading the good news of the kingdom of God, and testifying to His kingship by performing countless miracles of physical healing and freedom from demonic oppression.  During His three-year ministry here, He was also walking the road to the cross.  On this cross, He would bear all of our sin and shame and to grant us eternal life, as testified to by His miraculous resurrection from the dead, the first born of many believers.

Jesus told His disciples that His Father was always working, and that He, too, must be working and about His Father’s business.  It is a 24 hour a day job to care for and watch over all the people and souls in the universe.

But God also wants us to join Him in His work.

¹⁰ For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.  Ephesians 2:10 (NKJV)

God has a job for us to do, specifically created and prepared for us using our own unique skills and abilities.  It will likely involve loving and serving others, helping to draw them towards His kingdom in the process.  We may get physically tired, but this work will renew our spiritual energy and joy as we get our direction and power through the Holy Spirit.

When we do find our place of service, it will not often be too overwhelming or demanding.  If that is continually the case, it may not the final place where He wants us to serve – it may only be a training experience.  God’s work will often energize us and we will enjoy it, but not always. 

Jesus’ work involved going to the cross, something we ourselves could never do.  But He did tell us to pick up our own cross and to follow Him.  There will be labor, and there will be difficult times, but in the end, the burden will not be too much for us.  As Jesus told all who would listen:

²⁸ Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”  Matthew 11:28-30 (NKJV)

So if Jesus wants us to help shepherd His flock, what type of work might this involve?

There may be moments when we will simply be there to support and pray with someone going through a crisis, in a home or a hospital, to help them to get through.  Other times, He will put us somewhere to share or teach from the word of God, in a Sunday School class or a jail, to plant and water spiritual seeds.  Or in a food pantry or food service line for the poor and the homeless. In this way, we are being the hands and feet of Christ to feed the hungry, visit the sick, give an ear and heart to someone in prison or anyone who desperately wants to walk a different direction to follow God and live a better path.  All along our journey, we continually pray for wisdom, direction, guidance, protection, and for those around us we are serving.

Our most satisfying moments in life will be when we are fulfilling the role designed specifically for us by the Lord. May He guide us to live in that specific way and place today.

Reflections

Where is the Lord nudging you to serve? May we recognize the times when:

The thing comes from the Lord.. Genesis 24:50 (NKJV)

Lord, guide us by Your Holy Spirit to help us to join You in the work of the Good Shepherd.  Show us specifically where we are to go and how long we are to stay in service to You and Your people.  We want to do the very things that You have planned for us to do.  We ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

May the Lord richly bless you with a beautiful day today.