Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (Eph 1:2). Amen.
“So what do you do?” Have you been asked that question a time or two? It can be the topic of casual conversation like when meeting someone new at a get-together or when standing in line at the bank.
I can’t answer that question for you entirely. I can for myself. I am a pastor.
When I come back with that, there is usually a follow up. “So what do you do?” There is sometimes some concern about a one-hour work week. (That is just when I make it look like work.)
That is where the title gives some insight. Pastor is the Latin word for “shepherd.” A pastor leads and feeds, guides and guards.
The apostle Paul also is instructive. He speaks of a good shepherd—one committed to the work and one committed to the Word. We read from …
Acts 20:28-32
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus, Sheep of the Good Shepherd,
There is a significant difference between “a” good shepherd and “the” Good Shepherd. A pastor fits under the classification of “a” good shepherd. There is only One in the category of “the” Good Shepherd. And that is Jesus. Even though that profession may not be familiar to us, King David’s portrayal is a favorite of ours. We gladly say and sing: “The LORD is my shepherd” (Ps 23:1).
He is THE Good Shepherd. And he is “good,” not in the sense of average or acceptable. It is not like the reply to the inquiry: “How was supper?” “Good.” (That carries the idea of “It filled the hole.” By the way, that doesn’t win any husband of the year awards.) But Jesus is the Good Shepherd along the lines of excellent or exceptional—one of a kind. There is a dignity behind that designation.
A pastor, or shepherd, serves under the Shepherd. And that man can be good too.
Paul Speaks of a Good Shepherd
1. One committed to the work (28-31)
2. One committed to the Word (32)
1. One committed to the work (28-31)
It is one of those intangibles—a work ethic. When on the job, it is not just a matter of ability (and that is necessary), but also attitude (that is needed). One is to be determined, if not dedicated. Not half-hearted or half way. We could sum that up with “committed.” So it is for a pastor. Paul speaks of a good shepherd—one committed to the work.
Paul was somewhat in a hurry heading to Jerusalem by boat after his third missionary tour. Instead of trekking inland to Ephesus when he got near, he sent ahead for the elders—modern day pastors—to meet him in Miletus, a town along the coast of Asia Minor. It is like you might go to a restaurant for lunch with a buddy rather than go to his house. It is a bit of a time saver (and you are guaranteed a meal).
Paul wasn’t concerned about eating as he was encouraging. “Keep watch over yourselves” (Acts 20:28). They were to be in a constant state of readiness. That way if there was any danger at all, there could be the appropriate action right away. We could compare it to a shepherd on late shift. Paul is not suggesting that they be selfish. But they were to start with themselves. For a while I thought that it was strange that the inflight instructions on a plane about the oxygen masks dropping from the overhead compartment was to fasten yours first and then those next to you. But finally, you have to be breathing to be of benefit to those around you. Satan goes after shepherds. They need to be alert for themselves against his relentless attacks like doubt or discouragement. He realizes the Shepherd is there for him so that he can relay it to others. That is why the advice is: “Pastor, preach to yourself first.” Satan is on the prowl for the pastor’s soul. Keep watch.
And then, “Keep watch over … all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers” (Acts 20:28). They were to care for and be concerned about others. Paul likens people to a group of sheep. That is not insulting. A follower of Christ requires the safeguarding of a shepherd. The devil wants him to wander or her to waver as sheep are prone to do (Is 53:6). We can turn to our own way and stray. A good shepherd pays attention to that.
There are two reminders in place.
A shepherd doesn’t self-promote. He is Spirit-placed. The Holy Spirit gives shepherds oversight. Nowadays that is established by a call to a congregation through which the Holy Spirit selects shepherds to look after his flock at a certain place for a certain time.
And ultimately the flock belongs to THE Good Shepherd. “Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood” (Acts 20:28). That is their purpose—to protect and provide for those whom God has called out of the darkness of sin to the light of salvation (1 Pe 2:9). The sheep are his. At the cost of the life of the Leader. It is the opposite of a hired hand. If there is any risk, he runs (Jn 10:12). And that makes sense. He has no skin in the game. His desire is only to save his skin. That doesn’t usually bode well for the sheep. They are defenseless and often become dinner.
It is not an arrogant claim, but an appropriate one. Jesus simply stated: “I am the good shepherd” (Jn 10:11). And he explains why—3x: “I lay down my life for the sheep” (Jn 10:15,17,18). But there is more: “I lay down my life—only to take it up again” (Jn 10:17). Jesus died. But Jesus rose. He purchased us as God placed our sin on him as he poured out his holy, precious blood on the cross. And three days later he exited the grave to extend forgiveness and peace to us. We are his. John removed the picture as he makes it plain. We are sons and daughters of God. “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 Jn 3:1). Not may be or might be. We are. Children of God.
The apostle was not naïve. He knew of two dangers:
From the outside: “I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock” (Acts 20:29). A wolf has the feature of being fierce and ferocious and the characteristic of being crafty and cunning. There is a healthy fear of that sly and wily animal. That echoes what Jesus once elaborated: “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves” (Mt 7:15). They are harmful, not helpful. We need to be alert because no one introduces themselves: “Hi. I am a wolf, a false prophet. I want to devour.” But that is their desire. A good shepherd is one committed to the work of watching.
From the inside: “Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them” (Acts 20:30). There will stand up those who will peddle what is perverted like a company might sell something of poor quality. Those individuals want others to follow them, not the Good Shepherd. A good shepherd is one committed to the work of watching.
Paul took that responsibility seriously. “So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears” (Acts 20:31). No one could accuse him of being careless. His eyes were wide open like a shepherd scanning the fields for predators or robbers. The others were to do the same. Pray for that kind of careful pastor. Pray for your pastor that he stay awake to defend you against the devil. That is the good shepherd that Paul speaks of—one committed to the work of watching over your soul, bought with and by the blood of the Good Shepherd.
2. One committed to the Word (32)
You can’t know everything about an occupation the first day. The boss may have another employee who shadows you or shows you how to go about your position—a model who tells or mentor who teaches. You give them your attention when they are assigned to you. That is the use of the word “committed”—entrusted to the supervision of another. So it is for a pastor. Paul speaks of a good shepherd—one committed to the Word.
Paul makes reference to that: “Now I commit you to God” (Acts 20:32). They would not carry out their efforts alone. But with their powerful God by their side.
And not only that: “Now I commit you … to the word of his grace” (Acts 20:32). It is God’s Word which is about grace—unmerited favor from him for all. And there is great ability and capability behind it—“which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified” (Acts 20:32). It is the Word of grace that a good shepherd appropriates for himself and applies it to others that makes strong and makes steady. As sons and daughters, children, we have a claim to a home in heaven along with all those who have been made holy (1 Jn 3:1,2). And now we await his appearance to take us to our home there.
As sheep of the Good Shepherd, we listen to his voice as it comes from a good shepherd (Jn 10:16,28). In it and from him we have eternal life. We can be confident: “I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever” (Ps 23:6). That is a good shepherd that Paul speaks of—one committed to the Word which gives the comfort of pardon from God now and a place with God forever.
“So what do you do?” You may have a short job description handy. By translation, a pastor is a shepherd. He operates for the advantage of sheep and with them in mind. That is what Paul speaks of when it comes to a good shepherd of the Good Shepherd. One who is committed to the work. He is to be at the work carefully to keep the sheep safe. And one who is committed to the Word. He is to be in the Word continually to keep sheep secure. That is a good shepherd. Amen.
Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love (Eph 6:24). Amen.
April 22, 2018
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