I am really enjoying going through the gospel of John with my Johannine Literature class this semester.\u00a0 This week we discussed John 10, where Jesus describes Himself as the Good Shepherd.\u00a0 The main point of the passage is Christological.\u00a0 However, with the rich OT background and subsequent NT application of the title \u2018shepherd\u2019 to pastors, I think it is legitimate for us to look to the qualities of the Chief Shepherd as a model for us who serve as undershepherds (1 Peter 5:1-4).<\/p>\n
Here are a few collected quotes from pastors of the past applying John 10 to pastoral ministry.\u00a0 I hope the quotes benefit you as they have me.\u00a0 Lastly, I have included a quote from a student paper which shares the same sentiment.<\/p>\n
Alexander Maclaren:\u00a0 <\/b>
\n\u201cIndividualising care and tender knowledge of each are marks of the true shepherd. To call by name implies this and more. To a stranger all sheep are alike; the shepherd knows them apart. It is a beautiful picture of loving intimacy, lowliness, care, and confidence, and one which every teacher should ponder. Contrast this with the Pharisees\u2019 treatment of the blind man.\u201d \u00a0(106).<\/p>\nJohn Chrysostom: <\/b>
\n\u201cA great thing, beloved, a great thing is the role of leader in the Church. It is one that requires much wisdom, and as great courage as Christ\u2019s words indicate: namely, sufficient to lay down one\u2019s life for the sheep; sufficient never to leave them unprotected and exposed to danger; and sufficient to stand firm against the attack of the wolf.\u201d \u2013 Homily 60, <\/i>133<\/p>\nJohn Calvin:<\/b>
\n\u201cNo plague is more destructive to the Church, than when wolves ravage under the garb of shepherds<\/i>.\u201d (italics original) – 394<\/p>\n\u201cThe Name of \u201cThe Church\u201d is highly honourable, and justly so; but the greater the reverence which it deserves, so much the more careful and attentive ought we to be in marking the distinction between true and false doctrine.\u00a0 Christ here declares openly, that we ought not to reckon as shepherds<\/i> all who boast of being such, and that we ought not to reckon as sheep all who boast of outward marks.\u00a0 He speaks of the Jewish Church, but what he says applies equally well to our own.\u201d (italics original) \u2013 395<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2026he alone is a faithful pastor<\/i> or shepherd<\/i> of the Church, who conducts and governs his sheep by the direction of Christ.\u201d (italics original) \u2013 396<\/p>\n
\u201cNothing is more desirable than that the Church should be governed by good and diligent shepherds<\/i>.\u00a0 Christ declares that he is the good shepherd<\/i>, who keeps his Church safe and sound, first, by himself, and, next, by his agents.\u00a0 Whenever there is good order, and fit men hold the government, then Christ shows that he is actually the shepherd<\/i>.\u201d (Italics original) \u2013 402-403<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2026so it is the universal duty of all pastors <\/i>or shepherds<\/i>, to defend the doctrine which they proclaim, even at the expense of their life, and to seal the doctrine of the Gospel with their blood, and to show that it is not in vain that they teach that Christ has procured salvation for themselves and for others.\u201d (italics original) \u2013 404<\/p>\n
\u201cFor he who looks to the hire<\/i>, and not to the flock, though he may deceive others, when the Church is in a state of tranquility, yet when he comes into the contest, will give proof of his treachery.\u201d (italics original) \u2013 405<\/p>\n
Student:<\/b>
\n\u201cThis passage is an encouragement to me as one who feels called to preach the Word of God.\u00a0 If I become a pastor, I must love the sheep like Jesus did.\u00a0 I must be willing to die for my flock and guard my flock from wolves.\u00a0 I must be willing to encourage and rebuke my flock and always do what is for their eternal good.\u00a0 I must set an example for them in everything so that their faith may not be shaken by my poor leadership.\u00a0 What an enormous responsibility awaits me.\u00a0 May I never take it lightly.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"I am really enjoying going through the gospel of John with my Johannine Literature class this semester.\u00a0 This week we discussed John 10, where Jesus describes Himself as the Good Shepherd.\u00a0 The main point of the passage is Christological.\u00a0 However, with the rich OT background and subsequent NT application of the title \u2018shepherd\u2019 to pastors, …<\/p>\n