Week of Monday August 11 – August 17
Good Shepherd – Man as Defender
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.” - John 10:11-13 ESV
This passage is significant because it contains one of Jesus’ seven “I Am” statements. However, in addition to teaching us about who Jesus is, this passage also gives us insight into what kind of men are worthy of serving as pastors (or under-shepherds) of Jesus, the Good Shepherd. In Ephesians 4:11, the Greek word poimēn (herdsman or shepherd) is translated as “pastor” in our English Bibles.
Unfortunately, not all pastors have the courage to stand up to the wolves that threaten the sheep. As Jesus points out, many shepherds are merely “posers.” They are hired hands who will take a paycheck but flee at the first sign of trouble. Some may even be false teachers.
I have been an active member of local churches since I was a child, and now I have the privilege of speaking in churches and at men’s conferences all over the country. Along the way, I have heard a lot of complaints about cowardly preachers who won’t take a stand, even when the Bible is clear on a matter. Sadly, it can be challenging to find a courageous shepherd.
I sympathize with those who agree to serve on a pastor search committee because they have a tough job. There are a lot of ministers who submit their résumés who are simply fleeing from trouble or are looking for a better position or a fatter paycheck. They don’t genuinely care enough about the sheep to fight off the wolves.
By contrast, a true shepherd will fearlessly fend off the wolves and even lay down his life to guard and protect his flock. That’s what Jesus did, and that’s what He expects of His under-shepherds. The great reformer Martin Luther agreed. In the book Table Talk of Martin Luther, a collection of notes taken by Luther’s students, it is recorded that Luther declared:
An upright shepherd and minister must improve his flock by edification, and also resist and defend it; otherwise, if resisting be absent, the wolf devours the sheep, and the rather, where they be fat and well fed. Therefore St. Paul presses it home upon Titus, that a bishop by sound doctrine should be able both to exhort and to convince gainsayers; that is, to resist false doctrine. A preacher must be both soldier and shepherd. He must nourish, defend, and teach; he must have teeth in his mouth, and be able to bite and to fight.
God give us bold and courageous pastors who will stand firm and fight to protect the flock against the wolves! If your pastor won’t do it, with all due respect, you either need to find a new pastor or find a new church where the pastor will take that responsibility seriously.
Regardless of what your pastor does or does not do to defend the sheep, as a man, you have a responsibility to defend those you love and lead, even to the point of laying down your life, just like Jesus.
- Do you have a pastor who is a true shepherd, one who faithfully defends the flock, or do you have a “hired hand” who avoids conflict at all costs, even to the danger of the flock?
- How well are you defending your “flock”? Are you fending off the wolves?
- Pray and ask God to help you more closely follow the example of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who laid down His life for us.
Good Shepherd – Man as Defender
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.” - John 10:11-13 ESV
This passage is significant because it contains one of Jesus’ seven “I Am” statements. However, in addition to teaching us about who Jesus is, this passage also gives us insight into what kind of men are worthy of serving as pastors (or under-shepherds) of Jesus, the Good Shepherd. In Ephesians 4:11, the Greek word poimēn (herdsman or shepherd) is translated as “pastor” in our English Bibles.
Unfortunately, not all pastors have the courage to stand up to the wolves that threaten the sheep. As Jesus points out, many shepherds are merely “posers.” They are hired hands who will take a paycheck but flee at the first sign of trouble. Some may even be false teachers.
I have been an active member of local churches since I was a child, and now I have the privilege of speaking in churches and at men’s conferences all over the country. Along the way, I have heard a lot of complaints about cowardly preachers who won’t take a stand, even when the Bible is clear on a matter. Sadly, it can be challenging to find a courageous shepherd.
I sympathize with those who agree to serve on a pastor search committee because they have a tough job. There are a lot of ministers who submit their résumés who are simply fleeing from trouble or are looking for a better position or a fatter paycheck. They don’t genuinely care enough about the sheep to fight off the wolves.
By contrast, a true shepherd will fearlessly fend off the wolves and even lay down his life to guard and protect his flock. That’s what Jesus did, and that’s what He expects of His under-shepherds. The great reformer Martin Luther agreed. In the book Table Talk of Martin Luther, a collection of notes taken by Luther’s students, it is recorded that Luther declared:
An upright shepherd and minister must improve his flock by edification, and also resist and defend it; otherwise, if resisting be absent, the wolf devours the sheep, and the rather, where they be fat and well fed. Therefore St. Paul presses it home upon Titus, that a bishop by sound doctrine should be able both to exhort and to convince gainsayers; that is, to resist false doctrine. A preacher must be both soldier and shepherd. He must nourish, defend, and teach; he must have teeth in his mouth, and be able to bite and to fight.
God give us bold and courageous pastors who will stand firm and fight to protect the flock against the wolves! If your pastor won’t do it, with all due respect, you either need to find a new pastor or find a new church where the pastor will take that responsibility seriously.
Regardless of what your pastor does or does not do to defend the sheep, as a man, you have a responsibility to defend those you love and lead, even to the point of laying down your life, just like Jesus.
- Do you have a pastor who is a true shepherd, one who faithfully defends the flock, or do you have a “hired hand” who avoids conflict at all costs, even to the danger of the flock?
- How well are you defending your “flock”? Are you fending off the wolves?
- Pray and ask God to help you more closely follow the example of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who laid down His life for us.