THE SHEPHERD – “MY PRUNER”

The “Good Shepherd” is always good. He is always concerned about the sheep. He is always mindful of the welfare of the sheep. He is focused solely about the provision and the protection of the sheep. He loves the sheep to such an extent, that He is willing to risk His life…and if required, gladly lay down His life for His sheep. This our “Good Shepherd!” All glory to His name.

The last aspect of the “Good Shepherd” is that He is responsible for the discipline, and the training of the sheep, to walk with Him. There will be sheep which, for various reasons, that would wander from the prescribed path. So it is the responsibility of the “Good Shepherd” to train that wayward sheep.

The “Good Shepherd” “prunes” the sheep, so that it learns to walk with the “Good Shepherd.” Traditionally, the shepherd would break one of the legs of the wayward sheep. The shepherd would bind that leg securely, for it to heal. Then the Good Shepherd would put that sheep on his shoulders and carry it. He would speak comforting words, and also words of gentle correction. Thus the sheep would learn to trust the Good Shepherd, and would learn to obey, as He leads the sheep.

John Stott, a great man of God, says thus about the Good Shepherd and His pruning – “The serious Christian prays to be pruned.” What a prayer to pay! Each of us have areas where we are stubborn, and wish to walk our own way. We, as the sheep, are to pray to the Good Shepherd, to prune us, and help us walk, faithfully and obediently, with our Shepherd.

Pruning may be painful and may even appear cold and cruel. The Good Shepherd knows what is good for us, just as the gardener would, about the trees and plants. Pruning is a gardening principle, to help in the fruitfulness of the plant or tree – same is for the sheep. The Bible says, “​1 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” – John 15:1-2

Let us, therefore, pray and seek the LORD that He would prune us, so that we would bear fruit, more fruit, and much fruit. Even so the LORD help us.