And Jesus, when He came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and He began to teach them many things.
– Mark 6:34

      T he people had synagogues a plenty, they had many teachers; Rabbis, master of the faith – but they had no shepherds.
      They had scholars and theologians, they had priests and those who had been perfectly schooled in the art of religious leadership – but the people had no shepherds.
      They had masters of the discourse, and scribes who could recite every jot and tittle of the law – but they had none who could look upon the people and feel what Jesus felt for them – compassion.
      Here God illustrates to us what makes a leader great in His eyes. It is the one who follows in the Master Shepherd’s footsteps and can truly love his flock the way Jesus loves them.
      What makes a leader great is not the amount of letters after his name, or the documents on his wall, but the qualification that resides in his heart that qualifies him before God.

copyright 2007 by H.D. Shively

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