A Word To Shepherds

by G. Jarvie | Category: General | Dec 1958

"Faithful is the word, if any stretches forward to overseership, he is desiring of a good work" (1 Timothy 3.1. Englishman's Greek New Testament).

"Tend the flock of God which is among you" (1 Peter 5.2).

The work of the overseer, who is also a shepherd, is a good work and it is one which, if it is well done, will one day be rewarded with the crown of glory. The overseer must remember that he is only an under-shepherd, and that he must give account to the Chief Shepherd to whom the sheep (that is, disciples) belong. Simon Peter would never forget the morning by the lakeside when the Master said to him, "Feed My lambs," "Tend My sheep," "Feed My sheep" They

are His lambs and His sheep; and those also who as under-shepherds are caring for them must not forget this either.

The character of the work of the overseer is seen in the different names used - overseer, elder, shepherd. Overseers must lead the disciples according to the word of the Lord, correcting if it is. They must be elders, that is, they must be mature men in things of God, not novices, lest the devil trip them up. They must be shepherds, that is, they must love and care for the disciples as a shepherd cares for his sheep. It needs the three names to describe fully the character of the men and their work.

In 1 Timothy 3.2, we read that the overseer must be temperate, soberminded, orderly. He must not he quick-tempered, "for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God" (James 1.20). A man who cannot control his own spirit is unfitted to be a shepherd of others He must not be greedy of money, but rather given to hospitality: He must rule well his own house, for unless he can do this, how can he care for the church of God? His life and testimony in the world must also be without reproach. Thus we see that in his private life, in his home life, and in his public life, the overseer must be blameless, because he is the Lord's steward.

In Titus 1.9 we find that the overseer must be a man equipped with the word; able (that is, powerful) both to exhort in the sound doctrine and to convict those who teach wrong doctrine. He must hold to the faithful word.

In 1 Peter 5 the elders are exhorted to tend the flock of God. Peter exhorts them as one who is a fellow-elder, and who was a witness of the sufferings of Christ. He knew what it cost the Chief Shepherd to win the sheep, which were dear to Him. The love of the Chief Shepherd for His sheep must be in the hearts of the under-shepherds, if they would care for them aright. They must not lord it over the sheep, but must be examples to the flock. True humility of heart must characterize those who are shepherds. Younger shepherds (that is, the less experienced) should subject themselves (they should yield in matters of judgement) to the elder, the more experienced.

Shepherds must be sober and watchful, for the devil is ready to destroy the saints. This watchfulness will manifest itself in prayerfulness for the saints. The overseer must be a man of prayer. Much prayer in secret for the saints will manifest itself in much care for them openly. There will be visits to the homes of the saints, with the reading of the word and prayer, so that the saints will feel the warmth of the Chief Shepherd's care as they see it in His under-shepherds.

Another aspect of the work of the shepherd is seen in 1 Thessalonians 5.14-22, which is evidently addressed to overseers. They must admonish the disorderly, encourage the faint-hearted, support the weak, and be long-suffering toward all. The shepherds must be wise men, free from partiality, and all kinds of favouritism; men who love the Lord and His people; free from the fear of man, standing for what is true in all their dealings with the saints.

The Spirit of God will work in the hearts of the disciples, and overseers must be quick to see His work, and careful that they do not quench it. As young men arise and stretch forward in the Lord's work, the work of the Spirit within them must be encouraged. The ministry of the gospel is a work for which young men especially are often fitted; besides, they may be freer in their minds than those who have the care of the saints. The shepherds will encourage them in this.

Shepherds must often ponder the words of the Chief Shepherd for whom they work. They must imitate Him in love and patience. They must draw the needed grace and power from God through prayer, so that their own souls are refreshed and renewed. Without such refreshing and renewing they will inevitably become dry and powerless, and this will mar their work, and cause them to fail in their reward.

For such men, and for their work, all the disciples should pray. Much prayer should be made for the leaders and elders among God's people, knowing how much greater grace they have need of in caring both for their own souls, and for the souls of disciples in the churches of God, in the which the Holy Spirit has made them overseers.

G. Jarvie | Dec 1958
General