Rabbi’s Reflections – Saturday, November 23, 2024
Shabbat Shalom,
The Shepherding Spirit
By David Harwood
The Ruach Elohim reveals His love through human relationships. For instance, He establishes servants within the Messiah’s communities. They are first, and foremost, shepherds. They follow, and imitate, Yeshua. Paul wrote:
Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Messiah. (1 Corinthians 11:1)
Yeshua revealed Himself as God’s Shepherd.
I am the Good Shepherd. I know My own and My own know Me, just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father. And I lay down My life for the sheep. (John 10:14–15)
Shepherds know and care for their flocks and each sheep. The sheep know their shepherds. Psalm 23 is a pattern:
Adonai is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me: Your rod and Your staff comfort me. (Psalm 23:1–4)
God provides for His sheep. He leads them into rest and abundance. Adonai guards and guides them. Yeshua did this. The Ruach does the same thing. He is Yeshua’s Spirit, and one way He does this is through people. For instance, Yeshua commissioned Peter.
When they had finished breakfast, Yeshua said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said to Him, “You know that I love you.”
He said to him, “Feed My lambs!” (John 21:15)
Following in Yeshua’s footsteps, Peter commissioned elders.
Therefore I appeal to the elders among you … shepherd God’s flock among you. Watch over it … (1 Peter 5:1a,2a)
This is a holy labor of love. It is undertaken by elders who have been appointed by the Ruach Who is Holy.
Take care of yourselves and all the flock of which the Ruach ha-Kodesh has made you overseers, to shepherd the community of God—which He obtained with the blood of His own. (Acts 20:28)
The Ruach ha-Kodesh appointed overseers who shepherd God’s people. The Ruach is a Shepherding Spirit, the Spirit of The Shepherd. These shepherds are marked by love for God’s people.
All God’s people love one another through the Spirit’s enablement.
He also made clear to us your love in the Ruach. (Colossians 1:8)
Those who lead Yeshua’s communities care for these people through Ruach imparted love.
But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same devotion for you. (2 Corinthians 8:16)
The Ruach ha-Kodesh loves Yeshua’s followers in the same way, and to the same degree, as the Messiah. He personally conveys Yeshua’s love to each believer.
I pray that from His glorious riches He would grant you to be strengthened in your inner being with power through His Ruach, so that Messiah may dwell in your hearts through faith. I pray that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to grasp with all the kedoshim what is the width and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Messiah … (Ephesians 3:16–19a)
The Ruach also reveals His love through those He appoints to shepherd God’s flock. In fact, each disciple partakes of His love for their brethren. He indwells us. He loves through us. He is the Spirit of Yeshua, the Shepherd. He lives in you and loves through you.
Now because you are sons, God sent the Ruach of His Son into our hearts … (Galatians 4:6a)
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Sat 23-Nov-2024 22nd of Cheshvan, 5785 Parashat Chayei Sara
Ge 25:12-18 1 Ki 1:1-31 Gal 4:21-31