Jesus gives us a beautiful image of leadership today: “I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
Notice what Jesus does not say. He does not say, “The good shepherd becomes powerful.” He does not say, “The good shepherd becomes popular.” He does not even say, “The good shepherd becomes successful.”
He says: “The good shepherd lays down his life.” That is the heart of public service. Public office is not a privilege to enjoy. It is a responsibility to carry.
Jesus contrasts the shepherd with the hired hand. When danger comes, the hired hand runs away because he is thinking first of himself.
And perhaps this is a good examination of conscience for anyone entrusted with authority:
When I make decisions, whom am I protecting—the people or myself?
Am I protecting the poor—or my political interests?
Am I serving the common good—or my own family and friends?
Am I willing to do what is right even when it may cost me votes, influence, money, or popularity?
The true test of leadership comes when doing what is right becomes costly.
Jesus also says, “I know mine and mine know me.”
Good leaders know their people. Not only the influential people. Not only supporters. Not only those who can return favors.
Know the struggling mother.
Know the farmer and fisherman.
Know the driver and ordinary worker.
Know the young person looking for employment.
Know the poor who cannot enter our offices or reach our tables.
And finally Jesus says, “There will be one flock, one shepherd.”
A shepherd gathers. A shepherd does not divide.
After elections, there should no longer be amo ug inyoha, supporter ug kontra. Once you are elected, everyone becomes your people—even those who did not vote for you.
So today, rather than asking, “How long will I remain in office?” perhaps we should ask: “When I leave office, will the people be better because I served them?”
Will the poor have been heard? Will public money have been protected? Will our communities have become more just, peaceful, and united?
Because in the end, Jesus gives us the clearest difference between selfish leadership and servant leadership: The selfish leader sacrifices the people to protect himself. The Good Shepherd sacrifices himself to protect the people.
May God give our country leaders with the heart of the Good Shepherd—leaders who love the people more than power, truth more than popularity, and service more than position.
And may every public servant be able to say before God: “Lord, the people You entrusted to me—I tried my best to serve them well.”