Disciple. Shepherd. What does it all mean?

(A layman’s view)

Melody Tregear


The dictionary describes a disciple as being: ‘one who professes to receive instruction from another’ and also as, ‘one who follows.’ A shepherd on the other hand, is described as: ‘one who guides, watches over and protects the interest of another.’

 But what does God say? Imagine for a moment that you’re sitting reading a ‘heavenly’ newspaper. You turn to the job section, desperate for employment. There are only two jobs available; each willing to take as many people as would accept the terms. This is how it reads:



WANTED: DISCIPLES

“Vacancies exist for people who are willing to give up their rights in favor of their Employer. You must be willing to totally renounce everything that takes your attention away from your Employer and what said Employer wants you to do. Successful candidates will be required to leave behind everything that captured their heart thus far in favor of their new Employer. Employer demands that all prospective employees be people who are willing to serve, no matter how menial the task. Applicants who are successful will be required to love all their colleagues as they love themselves. Total, unswerving trust in your Employer is essential, as is the ability to take instructions. Employer will only accept that you love Him if you obey Him. Last, but not least: Successful candidates are required to be productive in recruiting new staff.”


REMUNERATION
Employer will adopt you as His child. Upon your death, you will receive a glorious inheritance. However, those who are willing may start unpacking their inheritance while on earth. Employer will always supply all your needs. He promises that His love for you is unconditional and everlasting. You will also be allowed to dwell with Him in the city that has streets of gold, forever.

Please reply as soon as possible. Contact person: JESUS CHRIST


‘Perhaps,’ you think, ‘the next one will be better.’ So you read on.  


WANTED: SHEPHERDS

“Vacancies exist for people already qualified as disciples, as successful candidates will need to work very closely with the Chief Shepherd. All those wishing to become shepherds must be able to accept being mocked, insulted and misunderstood, primarily by those outside the company, but not exclusively so. The post requires people who have learnt how to collect food from the Chief Shepherd and distribute it to the sheep. It is therefore imperative that you have sound references to prove previous experience in servantship. Successful applicants will be required to be diligent in keeping watch over the sheep. However, should sheep still manage to wander off, the shepherd will be required to go after said sheep after sitting at the Chief Shepherds feet about the matter. This will require that all prospective shepherds have a love for sheep. (What you have will be added to as you sit at the Chief Shepherds feet on behalf of the sheep.) Lastly, successful candidates will be required to lay down their life – literally if need be.”

REMUNERATION
In addition to what you receive for being a disciple, you will be made to ‘shine like the brightness of the heavens’. You will be put in charge of many things and given a crown of glory.

Due to shortage of staff, above post needs to be filled urgently. 

Contact person: Chief Shepherd.



‘What’s this?’ you think, as you see more writing, hoping, maybe…



(All job requirements have legally been taken from our NIV version of the Government Gazette. The following references can be checked if anyone thinks that these requirements are exaggerated:

Isa.40:11, Dan.12:3, Matth.9:36, 12:11, 25:23, Lk.6:35, John 2:1, 8:31, 10:11, 13:5,35, 15:8, 21:15-17, Acts 20:28, 1 Peter 5:2-3



“Hmm,” you mutter, “I like the remuneration package, but…”



And therein lies the crux of the matter. ‘BUT’. Is it really too hard? Has the lover of our souls not promised to help us, strengthen us? The choice is yours my friend. You can rush to see Jesus now; He’s waiting for you. Or, you can choose to ignore what you’ve read here today. 


THE CHOICE - IS YOURS….