1 Peter 5:1-4 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

Read John 10:1-30. Jesus is our chief Shepherd, and we are His sheep. He has laid down His life for His sheep. To be a sheep of the Good Shepherd, one need only hear His voice and follow it. Many will come and try to sound like the Shepherd in an effort to steal the sheep away for slaughter. But, the good Shepherd guards His sheep, He will not lose them.

When our Good Shepherd ascended into heaven to begin His reign, He gave His flock under-shepherds to tend His flock (Ephesians 4:7-16). In the stead and by the command of the chief Shepherd, these men (called “elders” by Peter, we call them pastors) are to shepherd Christ’s flock by speaking His Word to them. They do not come on their own, seeking gain, and looking to make a name for themselves. They are to simply proclaim God’s Word. When the sheep stray into sin, they are to call them to repentance. When the sheep are lost and scared, they are to comfort give out God’s mercy. When wolves come to draw the sheep away, they are to stand firm, proclaiming the Word of the chief Shepherd all the more boldly. These under-shepherds should have no agenda of their own. They are simply come in the stead of Jesus to do what He has commanded.

Be warned of pastors with personal agendas, these may be wolves. Pray for your pastor to faithfully carry out the duties Christ has called him to. Finally, listen for the voice of your dear Shepherd, and pray for someone to proclaim it faithfully.

Father, we thank you for giving us your Son to shepherd us. We pray that our pastor would be a faithful servant who boldly proclaims Christ’s Word to us. Help us to faithfully listen. AMEN

*The symbol on the top of this devotional stands for “Verbum Domini Manet in Aeternum.” It is a Latin phrase which means “The Word of the Lord endures forever.” This phrase, based on I Peter 1:24-25, served as the battle cry of the Lutheran reformers as it reminded them that God’s Word alone was sufficient to teach them God’s will. The symbol was on flags, banners, uniforms, and even swords as a sign of unity among those who suffered for confessing their faith in Christ alone. *

Pastor Bob

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