Keep Watch Shepherds

It is difficult for us as American citizens to watch the leaders of our country being impeached, accused of misdoings, or even being on trial.  It is difficult for us to hear about military soldiers, police or the secret service failing to follow the promises they made to protect the public.  Do you remember hearing the news of some secret service agents who were fired because they were having parties in their hotel in Colombia and putting the president at risk?  Apart from issues of personal morality and corporate integrity, such behavior is simply not acceptable. They have a responsibility!

People who are in a position of power or authority are easily compared to shepherds with much responsibility. The same is true for church leaders like pastors, presidents, executive committee members, and coordinators.  Even each of us as church members with various roles with various responsibilities inside and outside the church.  Divine Peace is a non-profit organization. Our constitution puts the ultimate authority into the hands of the Voters in Assembly.  All the positions and roles consist of well-meaning and talented people who we could call part-time volunteers.

Today is Good Shepherd Sunday and we recognize Jesus as our Good Shepherd.  The Lord of the Church has given us freedom to organize ourselves into a visible church and Divine Peace has called two pastors to serve as shepherds for our congregation.  Serving as a pastor in the church is much like being assigned a tropical mission of secret service in Colombia. It can seem like nobody is watching. Typically, pastors and church leaders aren’t held accountable for much except a report or weekly sermon or project update once in a while or visiting the shut-ins once a month. I believe the average pastor could work 10 hours a week for 6 weeks before somebody would notice.  Today any of you who serve in a church leadership capacity will catch on to what Paul is saying. But, the Word of God before is speaking to more than just pastors or lay leaders.  If you are given the opportunity by God to lead or guide another person—a friend, a child, a spouse, a coworker—then your role is like a shepherd and what Paul says applies to you, too.  No wonder the Apostle Paul was inspired to write these important words to people like you and me.  Today we hear the clear message:

Keep Watch, Shepherds!

Over what is yours

One of the harder lessons to learn when becoming—and even being—an adult is that I am responsible for me. I am responsible for my behavior. I am responsible for my decisions. I am responsible for my feelings. Passing off my health and wellbeing to others who should exercise for me or eat healthy for me doesn’t work. “Keep watch over yourselves,” Paul’s farewell speech begins. I can’t be a healthy, effective, God-pleasing pastor if I don’t keep an eye on my personal weaknesses. Those who lead church groups or committees or who teach in our schools dare not direct or instruct others when their own lives contradict their message. Imagine sitting in a keyboarding class with an instructor who types using the two-finger method.  Imagine me telling you to take care of the life God has given to you according to the 5^th Commandment, if I’m not a Shepherd keeping watch over my own life!

That’s not to say that all leaders are perfect, or even must be perfect. Even good doctors get sick. And good professors forget things. And pastors like me slip into sin. Only, however, under watch of the Good Shepherd, under the Word of God that readily addresses sin and seeks to prevent such sin, that will lead me to repentance.  The same is true for you. John wrote, “to shepherd the church of God, which he purchased with his own blood.” We need to know our sin, repent, and then live under the saving promises of Jesus Christ whose dying and rising forgives us.

Jesus also kept watch over himself.  Jesus made himself responsible for his dying and rising—even though the Jews plotted and Judas betrayed, even though Pilate judged and the people jeered, even though his own Father’s will called for it. Jesus said, “No one takes [my life] from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again” (John 10:18). Jesus could blame any of us for his crucifixion. He could blame his own Father for his crucifixion. Instead, by owning what is his, he makes it his own decision, and thus makes his dying and rising his gift to sinners. It’s part of him. And now it’s ours by his choice of love.

 When you keep watch over what is yours—your calling from God, your role of shepherding others, your agreed to assignment, your position or title—you are owning it, making it your responsibility, and thus it becomes your gift of love to God and others. Speaking of others, pastors along with God’s people are called to Keep Watch….  

Over what is others’

Have you ever served as a chaperone? Quite the daunting task, isn’t it? I remember chaperoning a trip of my son’s 7th grade class to Washington DC.  As a chaperon I was hopefully providing assurance to their parents that I’d bring them all back safely. When the airplane landed and a group of 7^th & 8^th graders got off the plane they probably weren’t thinking they were heading into all sorts of dangers.  But, I did, and I’ll admit I was a little afraid. Keeping watch over others’ wellbeing brings a burden of conscience that doesn’t want to make a mistake. You have experienced a similar feeling when charged with caring for an elderly parent, spouse, or child. Shepherding also includes the various ministries carried out by our coordinators.  How do you keep it up without messing up?  Actually, we all mess up in our caring for others. Whether it’s sinful selfishness or a silly slip-up, we’re human and we’re going to fail. But, forgiven, it doesn’t mean we give up.

When thinking about the care of others it may take time.  Paul wrote, “31 Therefore be always on the alert! Remember that for three years, night and day, I never stopped warning each one of you with tears.” Three years!  You never know how long it will be as you care for others.  I’m reminded of the Prophet Jeremiah who said, “For twenty-three years…the word of the Lord has come to me, and I have spoken to you again and again, but you have not listened” (Jeremiah 25:3). Jeremiah had been preaching to his people for 23 years, and they hadn’t heeded his warnings. Can you imagine working at something that was not succeeding for 23 years? And not just giving it an occasional try, but doing it persistently!  How does a person get past the discouragement and disappointments? Jeremiah stayed in daily touch with God, and that resulted in the daily renewal of his calling. Each day he sought the Lord’s help to be faithful for that day. So Paul assures us, “32 “And now I entrust you to God and to the word of his grace, which has power to build you up and to give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.”  Only God speaks words of grace. Undeserved love so necessary to keep up the shepherding of others, because we will sooner or later fail and need forgiveness and encouragement to keep going. Need a pick-me-up as a shepherd/leader who cares for others? Go to God’s Word. Find his encouragement there each day, and you can last at least 23 years…or longer.  Speaking of things that last a long time…. Keep Watch Shepherds…..

Over what is God’s

“I want you to build an ark,” God announced to Noah. And build it big enough so that you can collect a pair of every kind of animal and keep them all safe during the flood.  No doubt Noah was tempted to worry how he’d handle a handful of hornets or corral a couple cheetahs, and what if it started raining before he built the ark and how would he…?… But the God who created the animals brought them to Noah. The God who gives orders to the clouds held off the rain. When God made Noah a caretaker of animals and captain of the ark, he was ordering Noah to keep watch over what is God’s. Yes, a tremendous privilege and responsibility for Noah, but a shared one, because God never leaves alone what is his.

If you serve in church leadership, or a role in ministry, remember that you “shepherd the church of God, which he purchased with his own blood.”  God paid a price for the souls under your care. He purchased them and owns them. So when he asks you to take care of them, he’s creating a partnership with you where he’ll walk with you in caring for what is his. Ask for his help. Rely on his help. You’re not alone. You and those in your care both belong to him, even though the work you do may be difficult. Paul said, “29 I know that after my departure savage wolves, who will not spare the flock, will come in among you.”  God’s Word does not need defending, for it can defend itself.  Our role is to know God’s Word in order to proclaim the truth of God’s Word to the people in our community who are under the attack of false teachers and false doctrine.  It is just like a shepherd who wants to provide good pasture for the sheep.  We want to be fed the truth of God’s Word and feed the truth of God’s Word to others.  This is an awesome responsibility indeed!  But, it is also God’s command so that the gospel in Word and sacrament be proclaimed to people that will enjoy heaven with us forever.

Just like government leaders, secret service and public servants who have a huge responsibility, so the Lord God has also given a huge responsibility to his people to be Shepherds.  Think for a moment of the people in your life who have taught you about Jesus, revealed God’s grace, or helped you understand—and believe—the Bible. Now think of the people in your life who need you to do that for them. On this Good Shepherd Sunday may we all be encouraged to Keep Watch over What is Ours, What is Others’, and What is God’s, all to his glory!  Amen.