Scripture Introduction
John chapter nine described the healing of a man born blind. Though false magicians and counterfeit miracle-workers could (no doubt) pull off clever fakes and forgeries, no one healed those blind from birth. Isaiah had prophesied Messiah would do so; Jesus answered the promise. Not everyone is pleased, however. The possibilities of a Messiah whom they could not control infuriated the religious leadership as their power and prestige diminished. And the escalating conflict prompted Jesus to teach about what we call “pastoral ministry.”
The word “pastor” comes from the Latin, pāscere, “to feed.” The same root appears in “repast,” a meal, a feeding – so a pastor literally “feeds” the flock. But Jesus speaks of more than feeding; he refers to the whole work of caring for God’s people, “shepherding” the flock bought at such a great price.
Because Jesus comes at this topic from a couple of different angles, it seems confusing. What unites his teaching is the illustration of sheep. Extending this analogy, Jesus stirs our imaginations about how we think of ourselves, of God, of Christ, of pastors, and even of our churches. [Read John 10.1-21. Pray.]
Introduction
Phillip Keller drew from his many years as a shepherd to write, A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, a book many Christians find beneficial. In one place he describes “cast” sheep: “This is an old English shepherd’s term for a sheep that has turned over on its back and cannot get up again by itself…. Even the largest, fattest, strongest and sometimes healthiest sheep can become ‘cast’ and be a casualty…. A ‘cast’ sheep is a very pathetic site. Lying on its back, its feet in the air, it flays away frantically struggling to stand up, without success. Sometimes it will bleat a little for help, but generally it lies there lashing about in frightened frustration. If the owner does not arrive on the scene within a reasonably short time, the sheep will die. This is but another reason why it is so essential for a careful sheepman to count his flock every day…. If one or two are missing, often his first thought is, ‘One of my sheep is cast somewhere. I must go in search and set it on its feet’” (54,61).
Keller reminds us that though the image of God’s people as sheep is common in the Bible, it is not completely complementary. From all accounts, sheep are helpless animals of limited intelligence. They are timid and can be startled by the slightest sound; but at other times they are so stubborn that nothing moves them.
Pastor John MacArthur observes that “sheep are the most helpless, defenseless, straying, and dirty of animals. They require constant oversight, leading, rescue, and cleaning or they will die. Being a shepherd was good training for leading people.”
These characteristics led Dr. Bob Smith, professor of philosophy at Bethel College, to say that the existence of sheep alone disproves evolution – they could not survive any battle for the fittest. (Quoted in Hughes, John, in loc.).
In spite of the negative connotations, however, God identifies us “sheep” and himself the “shepherd.” When preaching on this passage, John MacArthur began his sermon by identifying 71 different Biblical names and titles for Jesus (everything from “Amen” to “Word of Life”). Then he said, “perhaps his most endearing and intimate title is ‘Shepherd’” (Commentary on John, in loc.). Calling us “sheep” might not feel like a great complement; but being the “good shepherd” greatly exalts God’s care and compassion. The Good Shepherd leads us to the green pastures and cool waters of heaven. To receive that blessing, we must respond to two truths.
1. We Must Recognize a Caring Shepherding Ministry
In the first verses of John 10, Jesus contrasts poor pastors with good ones; then in verses 11-18 he contrasts poor pastors with himself. But self-focused leaders were not first exposed by Jesus. Centuries earlier, God commanded Ezekiel to rebuke the pastors of his day for the same reason.
Ezekiel 34.2-5: Prophesy against the shepherds of Israel…. Should not shepherds feed the sheep? You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat ones, but you do not feed the sheep. The weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed, the injured you have not bound up, the strayed you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought, and with force and harshness you have ruled them. So they were scattered, because there was no shepherd, and they became food for all the wild beasts.
Nor did this problem end with Jesus. The Apostle Paul warned the early church of the same danger.
Acts 20.29-35: I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish everyone with tears.
And, of course, in our text this morning, Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for failing to care for God’s people sacrificially.
We might ask, “Why does this situation continue to arise?” The truth is that the church is always in a precarious way by her very nature. Because we seek to love one another, accept one another, overlook one another’s faults, and be compassionate to one another, we are susceptible. The very forgiveness and graciousness which must characterize the church opens us to being taken advantage of.
Matthew Henry: “This sheepfold lies much exposed to thieves and robbers; crafty seducers that debauch and deceive, and cruel persecutors that destroy and devour.”
So if we take the whole of what the Bible teaches, we should expect false shepherds to infiltrate the church; and, according to John 10.5, you should flee from them.
It would be helpful, of course, it they wore a nametag: “I AM A THIEF AND ROBBER.” But 2Corinthians 11 reminds us that they disguise themselves as true apostles of Christ. So how do we recognize pastors who do not properly care for God’s people so that we receive those who do?
1.1. Godly Shepherds Focus on Christ (John 10.1)
Jesus describes a community sheepfold – everyone in the village helped build a large protective enclosure and brought their sheep there at night. Gatekeeping duties were then hired out so the shepherds could sleep. If a shepherd needed back in the pen, he would come to the gatekeeper, who would let him in the door. A thief, on the other hand, would climb in by another way. But note well what Jesus adds, “I am the door.”
So the faithful pastor enters by Jesus. That means his spiritual life begins and ends with Christ. There can be no true pastoral ministry unless a man be both converted and continuing in intimate communion with Christ. They may be nice and sweet, kind and understanding, but Biblical pastoral ministry requires a living relationship with God through Jesus.
So too, the faithful shepherd takes you to the same door. Many pastors today are interested in a ministry which promotes the pastor, and not the Savior. Rather than make disciples of Jesus, he makes disciples of himself. Flee such men.
In contrast, Paul modeled a godly ministry in Corinth: 1Corinthians 2.2: “For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” In other words, Paul’s preaching and teaching and prayers and officer training and worship leadership and counseling – everything he did converged in one glorious word – Jesus. If my ministry does not bring you to Christ, there must be a change. I need to leave or you need to flee.
1.2. Godly Shepherds Speak Soothingly (John 10.5)
An Aesop’s Fable tells of a wolf who disguised himself in the clothing of a shepherd so he could get near the sheep. He was thrilled that they did not run away when he came near in disguise. In fact, he was so excited that he called for the sheep to come to him. But when he opened his mouth, his howling brought the shepherd running, who killed the wolf. The voice revealed him.
Soothing speech does not refer to a “radio voice,” one pleasant to the ears. I’m talking about a voice that soothes the soul. Sheep are skittish – easily frightened and hard to calm. And we live in a scary world, one in which dangers lurk around every corner. So the faithful shepherd calms the sheep with words of encouragement and truth. Ephesians 4.29: “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” A faithful shepherd’s care majors on building you up in Christ, speaking grace and encouragement.
But such words do not always grow a congregation numerically. In fact, many so-called pastors find it is easier to keep a congregation by keeping them in turmoil: there is always a crisis to overcome and disaster to avert. Agitation makes people dependent, so they stir up the sheep rather than calm them.
Obviously, the faithful pastor does not cry, “Peace, peace,” when there is no peace. But renew your mind with Ezekiel 34: God gives you pastors to comfort the afflicted, calm the fearful, strengthen the weak, care for the wounded, and seek the lost. There is certainly a time to challenge complacency and confront worldliness. But words of encouragement at the vastness of God’s grace must characterize the shepherd’s pulpit.
1.3. Godly Shepherds Devote Their Lives to You (John 10.12-13)
Being an officer in the church offers the pastor a level of authority few find elsewhere. As a result, men may enter the ministry with mixed motives, and then find it easier to claim to care for God’s people than to give up their own preferences and goals. This is precisely the danger Jesus wars of.
Donald Carson explains the verse: “When care for the flock is neither too arduous nor too dangerous, he is willing to work and receive his pay; but when there is danger to his skin, he retires forthwith and abandons the sheep.”
Great is the danger of a divided heart. Shepherding work often requires setting aside personal preferences and private successes in order to fulfill the calling.
A few years ago a pastor wrote an article in a magazine in which he swore off pastoral counseling. He said he was tired of people who wanted the problems to go away but were unwilling to change. I understand his frustration. But there is no work more important for a pastor than sitting across the table from you, with a Bible between us, working on the problems that we struggle with.
Now I am not clairvoyant – you must call and schedule and appointment and tell me what the problem is. But that office door remains open, and I am ready to work with you on whatever wolves stalk you. Flee the pastor who cares more for his comfort than for your soul.
We could explore other marks of a faithful shepherding ministry. But far and away the most important way I can care for your soul is to enable you to hear Jesus.
2. We Must Respond to the Good Shepherd
Jesus reminds us of several ways he cares for us.
First, he calls you by name. Even though a shepherd kept his sheep in a community pen with other sheep, he would stand outside and call his own by name and they would come to him. Jesus knows your name. If you are a Christian it is because he called you personally. Tommy Walker wrote a beautiful song about this: “I have a Maker, he formed my heart. Before even time began, my life was in His hand. He knows my name; He knows my every thought. He sees each tear that falls, and He hears me when I call.”
Second, he speaks a good word. You know how important it is that you get good advice, wise counsel, hope for your fearful heart, strength for your timid soul, a salve for your guilty conscience. The good shepherd has left you with a perfect word – you lack nothing to equip you for every good work.
He admits you to heaven. He is the gate, the one means of entry to eternal joy. We have no key to let ourselves in, no money to bribe the gatekeeper, no right to demand entrance. Yet Jesus opens the way to Father and invites all who are weary and heavy laden to come and find rest for your souls.
He searches out the lost. Every shepherd knows that sheep wander away and need help. Jesus does not leave his own to flail without help and provision. He seeks and find and restores our souls. There are probably some here today who have wondered and are wondering if God knows, if God cares, if God seeks you. He is here today – he is calling you back to himself; he searches and finds the lost and restores your soul.
He knows us. Everyone of us has secrets, areas of our heart and life where would know we would lose friends if people knew what we are really like. Jesus knows. He knew before he created you, and he knows every struggle, every fear, every failure. He knows and he loves.
Of course the critical work that unites all of the ministry of the good shepherd is that he lays down his life for the sheep. He was not caught in a conflation of circumstances resulting in murder before his time. His life was not taken away; he chose the time and place and manner – he laid it down of his own will to save the sheep.
3. Conclusion
There is a delightful scene in Prince Caspian, the second book in the Chronicles of Narnia Series. The children are trying to find their way to Caspian’s camp, and they come to the edge of a deep gorge. The way ahead isn’t clear, but then Lucy cries out, “Look! Look! Look!”
“Where? What?” everyone asks.
“The Lion” Lucy says. “Aslan himself. Didn’t you see?”
But no one else can see Aslan, and the majority vote to go the other way. Eventually they run into enemy troops and must retrace their steps back the way they came. That night, once again, Aslan appears to Lucy, and once again she has to try to persuade the others to follow her as she follows him.
“Will the others see you too?” she asks him.
“Certainly not at first,” he replies. “Later on, it depends.”
Lucy then realizes that she has to go with him “whether anyone else does or not.”
Whether anyone else does or not. Christ causes division (verses 19-21). You must decide if you will follow him whether anyone else does or not. Why should you follow a man that some claim is insane, or has a demon? Because he is the good shepherd, and you will not want. He gives life, and that abundantly, and all his own hear him calling and follow. Will you?
