Remember that you are sent out as sheep among wolves (Luke 10:3). The closer you are to the shepherd, the safer you are from the wolves. The Lord is your shepherd (Ps. 23:1). A good shepherd’s duty is to take care of the sheep (Ps. 23:1-2: Luke 2:8; John 10:2; 21:15). The shepherd loves his sheep so much, that he lays down his life for them (John 1:29; 10:11; 15:13; Heb. 13:20). The shepherd knows his sheep and they know him (John 10:3-4; 10:14-15; Ps. 100:3; 79:13). The shepherd keeps his sheep together, so that they are not scattered. He will search and find any sheep that is gone astray (Ezek. 34:11-16; Luke 15:4-7; John 10:16; Ps. 78:52).

Jesus is the head shepherd over the churches, which contain all his sheep. Jesus gave Peter a command three times to “feed my sheep,” in response to Peter’s admission of love for him (John 21:15-17). Peter obeyed Jesus’ command, and exhorted the elders in the churches of Asia to be a shepherd and feed the flock under their care (1 Pet. 5:2). This command was not only given to Peter, but to all the shepherds in the local churches, who would lead Jesus’ sheep.