Wednesday's Word: The Shepherd And Bishop Of Souls

 

 "For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned 
unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls."
(1 Peter 2:25)

 

Image courtesy/Adobe Stock

 

 

 THE SHEPHERD OF SOULS

 It is needless to trace this metaphor through the Old Testament, where it is employed to
express the relation of Jehovah to Israel. The most familiar of all the psalms shows us
a single devout soul appropriating the whole rest and blessedness of thought for 
 the nourishment of the individual life of trust.

 "The LORD is my Shepherd, I shall not want."
(Psalm 23:1)

  The Shepherd leads. And under that thought is included all the shaping 
 of outward life, for Christ is the Lord of providence, and the hands that
were pierced for us hold the helm of the universe.  

And therefore we must think of His guidance as mainly leading our souls 
in the paths of righteousness, and "showing us that which is good."  

The touch of His hand on our wills, the sweet constraint of His love,
 the wisdom which directs breathed into the soul which lives in fellowship
with Him, has silenced the loud voice of self, that His voice may be heard.

He says, "Come, follow Me" and His sheep walk not in darkness, 
but have the light of life. 

 

 CHRIST THE BISHOP OF OUR SOULS

Undoubtedly, the allusion here is to the bishop or elder of the early Church. 
The marginal rendering of the Revised "overseer" is perhaps better than
 "bishop".  The connection between "shepherd" and church "overseer"
can clearly be seen in the apostle Paul's address to the elders at Ephesus:

"Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over which the
Holy Spirit hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which
 He hath purchased with His own blood."
(Acts 20:28) 

The original meaning of the word, "overseer"  suggests the vigilant inspection
which Christ exercises over His Church.  The Good Shepherd knows each sheep
by name and His watchful eye is on every one of His flock.

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts!
See if there is any offensive way in me, lead me in the way everlasting."
(Psalm 139:23-24)

Reference Material for
"The Shepherd and Bishop of Souls"
 A. Maclaren/Bible Hub