ONGOING EDUCATION

            Pastorally, this passage has given me a great example to live by a future shepherd of a flock.  One learns that as a shepherd you must work to keep your flock from going astray and to fulfill their needs.  It also shows the importance of rest to maintain focus on your ministry, but the priority always lies in the needs of the sheep. 

            In continuing education, this passage has generated an interest to search for other ways Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament promise of a shepherd.  By this research, one could better define oneself as the shepherd Jesus was for his people.  Also, one could research on other methods of prayer used by Jesus in his ministry.