Jesus: “I am
the good shepherd.” John 10:11a
2000 years
ago, everyone understood the duties of a shepherd. There were hired hands that
worked with sheep, but they were not the shepherd. If there was a bad problem
with the sheep – animal attack, severe weather, disease - the hired men were
out of there! These sheep, after all, didn’t really belong to them.
The true
shepherd, on the other hand, knew his sheep, and they knew the sound of his
voice. The real shepherd would lay down his life for his sheep. He would
protect them and keep them safe. He would also take in strays that needed a home,
adding to their number daily. But most of all, he would love every one of them.
“As a
shepherd” was how Jesus led “The Way.” Nowadays, that’s a good model for how
pastors should lead their congregations - caring for them through challenging
times, protecting them from outside attacks - but most of all, loving every one
of them.
In Latin,
“pastor” means “shepherd.” Pastors don’t own their congregation or their
church. In fact, they’re servants! The congregation hires a pastor to lead
them, and if he leads them correctly, it’s a symbiotic, mutually beneficial
relationship. In other words, the congregation is eager and willing to follow “servant
leadership.”
On one hand,
Jesus is “the man,” absolutely in charge, of unquestioned authority. On the
other, he healed the sick, gave sight to the blind, fed the hungry, cared for
widows and orphans, rescued sinners and tax collectors, and washed feet at the
Last Supper.
What would
Jesus do? Servant Leadership!
What should
you do? Become more like Jesus.
That’s what
the Bible says.
Norton
Lawellin
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