A Shepherd Looks At Psalm 23 By W. Phillip Keller – Chapter 8 Reflection:
What is the function of a rod and staff for a shepherd to his sheep?
The function of the shepherd’s rod is for discipline, examination, and protection. The rod is a symbol of the shepherd’s authority and is represented by is the word of God; it is represented by scripture.
The function of the shepherd’s staff is that of guidance, comfort, and fellowship. The staff is a symbol of the shepherd’s kindness and is represented by the Holy Spirit.
How do we shepherd those in our care using the idea of a “rod” and “staff”?
Shepherding God’s people requires our special care and knowledge of both scripture and the Holy Spirit. Phillip Keller described the process of the shepherd selecting and crafting both his rod and his staff, the careful selection of both the wood used as well as shaping them to meet their custom needs. Similarly, we must be intimately acquainted with scripture, and we must know the voice of the Holy Spirit.
If we are to use the rod to examine and protect those whom we are shepherding, then we must know it well. God’s word must be hidden in all the corners of our hearts and minds so that when situations arise, we can speak truth into the lives of others.
Phillip Keller paints an excellent picture of this in this chapter with the story he tells about the shepherd boy and the cobra. After dislodging a boulder and revealing a cobra, the boy saves his life by using his rod. Reacting with split-second accuracy, the boy kills the cobra. Keller states that “The weapon had never left his hand even while working on the rock.” If we are to wield the Good Shepherd’s rod successfully, that is the sword of truth, His word; we too must be ready to strike at a moment’s notice.
The staff is a bit more complicated, and I think the answer is two-fold. Before we can expect to shepherd others using the shepherd’s staff, we must recognize the presence of the Good Shepherd’s staff in our own lives, which is the presence of the Holy Spirit. We must know His voice and follow when He calls. We must always remember that without the Good Shepherd leading us, without His Spirit in our lives, we cannot possibly shepherd and lead others for His sake.
The second piece of the staff is simply proximity. It’s important to remember that the staff is the Holy Spirit, but we cannot be the Holy Spirit for others. Those that we are shepherding have their own unique relationship with the Holy Spirit. We simply cannot fil this position in the lives of others. However, by listening to the Holy Spirit in our own lives, and in the midst of shepherding others, we can still guide and lead them into the truth. And the key to how we do that is by living in proximity with those whom we are shepherding. It’s pulling up close beside and living in fellowship with them.
It’s important to remember that these “tools” work hand and hand, they complement each other, and we cannot expect to wield one without the other. Remember, the Good Shepherd’s rod, His word, is for discipline, examination, and protection. How can we expect to recognize these needs in those that we are shepherding without the guidance and fellowship of the Good Shepherds staff, the Holy Spirit? Likewise, the best way for us to guide and comfort those we are shepherding is with the Good Shepherds rod, by speaking the truth of scripture into their lives and their situations.