What is better? For a shepherd to defend his flock, or to hunt the wolves that attack them? The unending question is whether now is the time for offense, or is it for defense? In a boxing match, this question is easily answered. Both. A good boxer must be do both. However, for the shepherd, the immediate reactionary response is defense. The shepherd and the boxer are both in a fight. However, to be labelled the winner of the fight with wolves, one must defend the sheep. The fight is not lost when the shepherd dies, and the fight is over when the sheep are lost to the wolves.
Today’s culture is a fight. It is not a fair fight in a ring with a referee. It is a fight between the Christian and the world. This life has tasked me with the role of shepherd, defending my family from the wolves of the world. I will strengthen and defend them until the day I die. But the real point of this post is not to reminisce about shepherding. What does defending the flock mean in the context of a perverse world that seeks to corrupt everything it touches? Is there ever a time to hunt down the wolves and end their oppression?
The Good Shepherd With a Good Defense
Ultimately, every sheep analogy typically boils down to John 10:1-21. In it, Jesus describes himself as the Good Shepherd, and as the Door of the Sheep. Ultimately, the good shepherd is the one that gives his life for the sheep, and the bad shepherd is one that runs at the sight of the wolves. If Jesus’ vision of a good shepherd contained an offensive component, it is not revealed here. Those entrusted with sheep must maintain the fence, and know their sheep, and give their life for the flock.
To play defense as a shepherd requires you to defend the fence and to use the gate. Any sheep that wants into the flock must use the Door of the Sheep to enter. As a shepherd tending Jesus’ flock, those that do not know Jesus will never be at home within the herd. But anyone that enters using Jesus as the door will be saved (John 10:9).
A good defensive shepherd also ensures that he is not fleeing at the sight of danger. A wolf will attempt to steal the sheep away, and any engagement with wolves are dangerous. Is there sin threatening your flock of sheep? You cannot flee. Is a sinful world attempting to influence your charges, and steer them out of the fence? You cannot ignore the issue. You must be willing to sacrifice everything for those entrusted to you.
This also effectively rules out any strategic sacrifices for the sake of the rest of the herd. If any sheep is lost, does the shepherd not immediately leave the 99 and search for the lost one? There is no aspect of a Christian’s family that is to be ignored. Do not let your sheep wander to the forest, for it’s loss will be on your hands.
There Will Always Be Another Wolf
The good Christian defending his flock must always be prepared for more attackers. The sheep are in an unending battle. They will never know respite from the war. There will always be another wolf waiting in the woods, even if the shepherd has done his job to the last detail. Every time that the world is beaten, and the Christian is saved from the depraved influences of the world, it is only a matter of time before the wolves will attack again. This time, they may attack in a different way, or by first corrupting the weaker sheep. The war will not end in this life.
Because the war does not end, the shepherd must defend his flock in such a way that he will live to fight again. God has commanded men in charge of sheep to keep them. Your faith is to be a secure fortress that your children can take refuge in (Proverbs 14:26). The father that fails to discipline his child for the sake of “keeping the peace” is in sin and is not defending his sheep. The father that sacrifices his own desires at the cost of his own call to obedience is in sin.
In John 15:12-17, Jesus talks about his love for his friends. He commands his disciples to love one another, and then describes his greatest act of love, the laying down of his life for his friends. Is the shepherd that lays down his life truly showing love for his sheep? Is the man that sacrifices his own will in order to defer to his wife sinning? Is it not better to obey than to sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22)?
When a shepherd abdicates the role of leader for the sake of his sheep, he is in sin. The discerning father must discipline his children as his Father in heaven disciplines him (Hebrews 12:7). The discerning shepherd must remember that each sheep in the flock is not solely his, but a part of the larger herd. Each sheep is known by the Good Shepherd, and are ultimately under his care. If you let the fences be torn down and allow wolves within the midst, you are failing the sheep and the shepherd you answer to.
Worrying About Winning
Are you called to be victorious? Winning the defensive fight is like running the race with endurance (Hebrews 12:1). You do not with offensive tools. But what does this mean in practicality? How can Christians ensure that they are shepherding well? How you do balance a race of endurance remembering to sacrifice yourself when necessary?
Firstly, endurance is sacrifice. Each time that you trudge forward, leading the sheep to the Door, you are enduring and defending the sheep. Each time you proclaim the gospel, and lead your charges to Christ, you are enduring and defending as a shepherd. If you are leading your children to Christ, you are fulfilling the role of the shepherd.
Secondly, your sacrifice is meaningless outside of obedience. For this, we go back to John 15:12-17. Jesus commands sacrifice, as a way of fulfilling his commandment to love others. Are you sacrificing yourself to avoid conflict with wolves, or are you sacrificing out of obedience?
When a friend requires rebuke, do you sacrifice part of your conscience to accommodate his feelings? When a child requires discipline, is it not easier to sacrifice one time? If your sacrifice is not directly linked to obedience, you are leaving your sheep to the wolves. Do not sacrifice yourself in vain. Endure, and sacrifice at the command of the Almighty. To obey is better than sacrifice, and to sacrifice is to obey.
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