The Shepherdless
But the multitudes saw them departing, and many knew Him and ran there on foot from all the cities. They arrived before them and came together to Him. And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things. – Mark 6:33-34 NKJV. (At the feeding of the five thousand.)
Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me. But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.” – John 10:25-30 NKJV. (At the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem.)
If you have ever watched the movie Adventures in Babysitting (Filmed in 1987 and there may be a 2016 remake.), you have good reason be concerned about what the babysitter does with your kids. Last week, there was a real life adventure in babysitting that occurred in Colorado. Rachel Einspahr, who is 28-years-old, picked up seven and one and a half year old sisters after school and possibly the toddler from a daycare. All is good at that point; however, Rachel was considering a plan to rob a bank. She drives around for a while, until she finally decides upon a bank in Severance, Colorado. In the bank’s drive through area, Rachel sent a message claiming there was a man in the car threatening to harm the children. The bank teller gave her $500. There was no man in the car, and the children were not in any immediate danger. After the robbery the babysitter went to a park where the children could have some fun. Rachel needed money it was learned to pay off $15,000 she had stolen from a previous employer. It doesn’t look like Rachel will need to do any more babysitting for some time, since she has been charged with robbery, and two counts of child abuse. (CBS 05.16.16Yahoo News 05.17.16; Fox News 05.18.16 and various other news venues)
Rachel Einspahr is like a sheep without a shepherd, making one bad decision after another, digging a deeper and deeper hole. The sad thing, the really sad thing, is that there are multitudes of people just like Rachel without a shepherd. The heart of our Lord and Savior is still moved with compassion for them. As believers our hearts should also be moved with compassion for the multitudes without Jesus as their shepherd.
Many believers have been blessed to have prayer warriors praying for them. I am very thankful for the prayer warriors who were praying for me when I was young and throughout my life. If you do not have a prayer list of people you are praying for, you need to start one. If you have one, are the people on your list only family or close friends? If so, it is time for you to enlarge your coasts, your personal ministry, add people to your prayer list outside of your immediate circle of influence. Add strangers to your prayer list, add children, youth, and young adults and all ages to your prayer list. Those people on your prayer list do not have to know that you are praying for them, although for many it would be an encouragement if they did know. Who else can you pray for?