Jude wasn’t a shepherd. He was a servant of Christ. He considered himself unworthy to call Jesus his brother or to define their relationship in the limited capacity of Gods incarnation. Jude grew up with Jesus, and their other brother James. Their (earthly) father was Joseph, and he was a carpenter. They likely studied under their father. This is a pattern we see in modern man. Fathers disciple, or teach their sons, in all they do, the good and the bad.

I learned to wrench on cars, watching my Dad. I learned to work hard, and use my hands, watching my Dad. I learned how to hold difficult conversations, and peace make, watching my Dad. He also taught me how to be sarcastic, curse when I get hurt, and drive wrecklessly. (I still think you did great Dad, thanks for everything.)

The point is, as fathers we teach our sons. As sons we learn from our fathers.

Joseph didn’t teach Jude how to be a shepherd, and I don’t imagine he would claim to be an expert in this area. Now of course, when the bible speaks of shepherds, its speaking of the vocation in an allegorical manner to display admiral qualities in those who oversee or lead others. In almost all context the bible is speaking about how a religious leader should be caring for their followers. Truly, how spiritual fathers should care for spiritual children. In some cases, scripture illuminates the manner in which a shepherd should not be acting.

When we read Jude 12, he writes:

“These are hidden reefs at your love feasts, as they feast with you without fear, shepherds feeding themselves; waterless clouds, swept along by winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted…”

Jude is once again writing about the evil men who are intent on destroying the church by means of perverting grace and denying Christ. Now, he calls them shepherds that feed themselves.

How can he judge a good or bad shepherd? What is his point of reference? He is just the son of a carpenter after all!

The prophet Ezekiel had some strong words for the previous shepherds of Israel. He writes:

“Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy, and say to them, even to the shepherds, Thus says the Lord God: Ah, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep? ³ You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat ones, but you do not feed the sheep. ⁴ The weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed, the injured you have not bound up, the strayed you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought, and with force and harshness you have ruled them. ⁵ So they were scattered, because there was no shepherd, and they became food for all the wild beasts. My sheep were scattered; ⁶ they wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill. My sheep were scattered over all the face of the earth, with none to search or seek for them. “ (34:2-6)

I believe Jude has this scripture in mind as he wrote his letter. If you haven’t read this particular chapter, you should do so now, here.

After declaring judgement, God promises to rescue and shepherd His own sheep.

 “I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord God. I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them in justice.” (v. 15-16)

Jesus watched his Heavenly Father, and knew how to be a good shepherd. He would be the fulfillment of this very promise. Mathew 18:12 highlights the length to which Christ would go to demonstrate his goodness. “What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray?” (ESV)

When Jesus feeds its not in scarcity (waterless clouds, or fruitless trees). Jesus feeds abundantly. John captures Jesus words in his gospel “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” (John 6:35).

In fact, later in Johns gospel (Chapter 10), he recounts Jesus teaching on what it means to be a good shepherd. Jesus goes even further to say how he himself is the gate (v. 9) and the only way into the sheepfold, to find pasture (think psalm 23). He warns against the thief who comes to kill and destroy. Jesus, again contrasts himself, saying he is giving life abundantly. He speaks out against the “hired hands” who flee when the wolf approaches. Jesus will never flee.

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. (v. 14-15)

Jesus learned from His Father, how to care for their sheep. He knew he had to give all. God gave his only son to bring his lost sheep home. Jesus followed suit.

And so should we.

As christian leaders, we must take on the role of sacrificial shepherd. We learn from our Heavenly Father, and we follow like Christ. As fathers, we model this to our children. Someday they will model it to theirs.

Like the prophet Ezekiel warned, someday Jesus will return, and he will feed the evil shepherds their justice. He will judge them for how they abused their positions of authority, wrongfully exercised their domains and were controlled by their evil desires and prideful hearts. Those that are “fat and strong” from feeding themselves, will face the Good Shepherd and account for their actions.

Give sacrificially and abundantly, in humility and with a pure heart.

Peace be with you.